Communications Lead, Innovation

KONE; Espoo; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

KONE in Espoo, Finland seeks a Communications Lead, Innovation with 15+ years in strategic communications to shape external narratives on AI, technology and innovation. You will advise senior leaders, drive global media visibility and align communications with product and market trends across functions.

The role emphasizes hands-on delivery, narrative development, and change communications at EXB level, reporting to Strategy Communications leadership. Permanent, based in Espoo.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in strategic communications within a multinational or listed company environment.
• Ability to combine strategic advisory with hands-on delivery.
• Extensive experience in strategic communications, thought leadership and external positioning.
• Proven ability to 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 topics.
• Understanding of market dynamics, competition and external trends.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Marketing and business leaders.
• Excellent storytelling, writing and content development skills.
• Strong judgment in handling high-stakes topics.

Responsibilities

• Drive thought leadership and external communications (~70%).
• Own innovation narrative and executive positioning in AI, technology and innovation.
• Develop insight-led viewpoints to strengthen KONE's positioning as an innovation leader.
• Lead global thought leadership platforms aligned with strategic priorities and trends.
• Drive top-tier global media visibility and quality coverage.
• Build external narratives that elevate customer value and innovation story.
• Partner with Marketing to connect product launches to external trends.

Skills

Strategic communications

Thought leadership

Executive positioning

Stakeholder management

Media relations

Analytics & data-led insights

Storytelling & writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

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, visib

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.