What are the responsibilities and job description for the AVP, Global Talent and Learning position at Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Inc.?
Position: AVP, Global Talent & Learning
Location/Department: Richmond Headquarters/Human Resources
Status: Full-Time/Salaried Exempt
Reports To: Chief Human Resources Officer
Reports To: Chief Human Resources Officer
Our Company
The Global Leader in Premium Leaf Tobacco Supply
Universal Leaf Tobacco Company is the world’s leading supplier of premium leaf tobacco, with over 100 years of experience sourcing, processing, and delivering tobacco crops tailored to customer specifications. With operations spanning major tobacco-regions across five continents, we connect hundreds of thousands of farmers to global manufacturers through a reliable, transparent, and traceable supply chain.
Our portfolio includes flue-cured, burley, oriental, and dark tobaccos, supported by deep agronomic expertise and advanced processing capabilities. Beyond the leaf, we offer value-added services such as customized blending, next-generation nicotine solutions, recycled by-products, and digital traceability tools that enhance efficiency and sustainability across the supply chain.
Universal Leaf Tobacco is more than a supplier – we are a long-term partner committed to responsible sourcing, farmer support, and continuous innovation. By investing in agricultural communities and upholding the highest standards of quality and compliance, we help ensure a resilient tobacco supply for generations to come.
Summary
As an AVP, Global Talent and Learning at Universal, you will lead the enterprise talent and leadership agenda by embedding leadership competencies into core HR processes, shaping global talent and learning strategies, and strengthening leadership capability across the organization. You will drive succession planning for executive and critical roles, oversee performance management, coaching, and mentoring programs, and partner closely with regional HR leaders to ensure alignment, consistency, and adoption across a complex, matrixed global environment.
What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)
- Own enterprise deployment and integration of leadership competencies into performance management, succession planning, leadership assessment, promotions, development, coaching, and mentoring.
- Design and sustain a global talent strategy aligned to cultural evolution, operating effectively in a matrix environment.
- Lead enterprise succession planning for executive and critical roles, including bench strength assessment and readiness actions.
- Oversee the design and governance of executive coaching and mentoring programs to strengthen leadership effectiveness.
- Design and overhaul enterprise performance management systems to reinforce leadership expectations, accountability, and performance.
- Shape focused learning strategies directly tied to leadership and talent priorities.
- Build strong partnerships with regional HR leaders to drive alignment, adoption, and consistency of enterprise talent and leadership strategies across geographies.
- Create and implement a robust talent management and development strategy encompassing talent reviews, high-potential identification, leadership pipeline health, and governance.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, organizational development, business, psychology, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 10 years of progressively responsible experience in senior talent, leadership, or other HR roles within global, matrixed organizations.
- Proven experience embedding leadership models into HR processes, including performance management, succession planning, assessment, and promotion decisions.
- Demonstrated experience designing and leading coaching and mentoring programs.
- Strong cross-cultural influence skills, with demonstrated ability to leverage influence senior leaders and executives across regions and business units without direct authority.
Preferred Requirements
- Master’s degree in human resources, organizational development, business administration, or a related field.
- Experience supporting or advising C-Suite and executive leadership teams.
- Strong familiarity with talent and learning technologies.
- Experience within a complex, global, multi-business organization.
- Industry certifications such as SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or relevant leadership/organizational development credentials.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of market-competitive total rewards that include 401(k) match, pension, merit increases, paid holidays, medical, dental, life, vision, short and long-term disability benefits, and tuition assistance to name a few.
EOE M/F/Disabled/Vet Employer
All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.