Communications Lead, Innovation

Kone México; Espoo; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

KONE, a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, seeks a Communications Lead, Innovation in Espoo, Finland. You will own external narratives around AI, technology and innovation to support growth, differentiation and market impact, partnering with C-suite leaders and Marketing to connect product launches with market trends.

The role blends strategic advisory with hands-on delivery across global programs.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in strategic communications within a multinational or listed company environment.
• Ability to blend strategic advisory with hands-on delivery.
• Strong track record in external positioning, thought leadership and media impact.
• Experience with AI, technology, digital or innovation topics.

Responsibilities

• Own KONE’s external narrative on AI, technology and innovation to drive growth and market impact.
• Drive thought leadership platforms, executive positioning and global media visibility.
• Partner with Marketing to connect product launches to external trends and market relevance.
• Provide strategic guidance to C-suite and senior leaders on messaging and reputational considerations.
• Lead internal communications related to key initiatives and transformation.

Skills

Strategic communications

Thought leadership

External positioning

Media relations

Executive storytelling

Stakeholder management

AI/technology topics

Cross-functional collaboration

Content development

Data-driven insights

Job description

The People & Communications team enables business performance and competitiveness through engaged and capable people, strong reputation management, impactful internal and external communications, and great employee experiences. The team plays a critical role in bringing KONE’s strategy to life, strengthening the company story and supporting business growth. Within this, the Global Strategy Communications team is responsible for defining and driving KONE’s global strategic narratives aligned with business priorities and key topics. The team develops overarching storylines and thought leadership positioning, translates complex priorities into clear, insight‑led narratives, and enables consistent and compelling storytelling across channels and stakeholders. With a primary focus on external communications and thought leadership, the team also provides strategic advisory to senior leaders on change & transformation, risks and reputational considerations, while offering selective guidance on internal communications to ensure alignment between internal and external narratives.

We are now looking for a Communications Lead, Innovation to play a critical role in this model, owning and driving KONE’s external narrative on AI, technology and innovation to support growth, differentiation and market impact. The role reports to the Head of Strategy Communications and works in close partnership with C‑suite leaders across KONE Technology & Innovation, Service business line and Major Projects, as well as with Marketing and global communications teams. This is a permanent position located in Espoo, Finland.

What you will deliver

• Drive thought leadership and external communications (~70%)
• Own KONE’s innovation narrative, thought leadership, executive positioning and product relevance in AI, technology and innovation
• Develop distinctive, insight‑led points of view that strengthen KONE’s positioning as an innovation leader
• Lead and activate global thought leadership platforms, aligned with strategic priorities and external trends
• Drive top‑tier global media visibility, strengthening share of voice and quality coverage
• Build compelling external narratives that elevate KONE’s customer value and innovation story
• Partner closely with Marketing to connect product launches to external trends and market relevance
• Translate complex technical topics into clear, engaging and scalable storytelling
• Ensure strong product, service and portfolio relevance in external communications
• Apply data, insights and AI to continuously improve content effectiveness, reach and efficiency
• Strategic advisory & leadership enablement (~30%)
• Act as a trusted senior advisor to C‑suite and senior leaders across KONE Technology & Innovation, Service and Major Projects
• Provide guidance on strategic positioning, messaging, tone and reputational considerations
• Support and develop senior spokespersons, including selected EXB‑level leaders
• Lead internal and change communications related to key initiatives, transformation and sensitive topics
• Enable leaders with clear narratives, communication tools and coaching
• Support key corporate moments (e.g. quarterly results, leadership forums) as relevant to the topic
• End‑to‑end delivery & global enablement
• Drive hands‑on development and delivery of global communications programs and campaigns
• Create scalable narratives, toolkits and assets for Area and frontline teams
• Ensure alignment and consistency across global and local communications
• Act as a content and narrative engine, feeding into media, marketing, business and regional teams
• Work seamlessly across Global Communications to break silos and maximize impact

What you’ll bring

• 15+ years of experience with a focus on strategic communications in a multinational or listed company environment and/or similar
• Ability to combine strategic advisory with hands‑on delivery
• Extensive experience in strategic communications, thought leadership and external positioning
• Proven ability to challenge, influence and convince senior stakeholders and C‑suite leaders
• Strong track record in driving global external communications and media impact
• Experience in AI, technology, digital or innovation‑related topics
• Strong understanding of market dynamics, competition and external trends
• Experience working cross‑functionally, including with Marketing and business leaders
• Excellent storytelling, writing and content development skills
• Strong judgment in managing sensitive and high‑stakes topics
• Ability to operate with agility across priorities and stakeholders
• Strong analytics skills and understanding of how to use data‑led insights to drive thought leadership

Success in this role looks like KONE is recognized as a credible, differentiated thought leader in AI, technology and innovation; increased external visibility, share of voice and quality coverage; clear, consistent market narratives adopted across the organization; senior leaders are confident, visible and impactful external voices; communications is seen as a trusted strategic partner driving business outcomes; thought leadership and communications contribute to demand generation and growth.

How you will work

• Partner closely with KONE Technology & Innovation, Service and Major Projects leadership
• Collaborate with Marketing, Media Relations, Investor Relations and regional teams
• Contribute to a topic‑led, insight‑driven communications model focused on thought leadership, external visibility and market impact

At KONE, we are focused on creating an innovative and collaborative working culture where we value the contribution of each individual. Employee engagement is a key focus area for us and we encourage participation and the sharing of information and ideas. Sustainability is an integral part of our culture and the daily practice. We follow ethical business practices and we seek to develop a culture of working together where co‑workers trust and respect each other and good performance is recognized. In being a great place to work, we are proud to offer a range of experiences and opportunities that will help you to achieve your career and personal goals and enable you to live a healthy and balanced life.

Read more on https://kone.com/global/en/careers.html

At KONE, our purpose is to shape the future of cities. As a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, we move two billion people every day, making their journeys safe, convenient, and reliable with smart and sustainable People Flow®.

In 2025, KONE had annual sales of EUR 11.2 billion, and at the end of the year over 60,000 employees in close to 70 countries. KONE class B shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. in Finland.