At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic projects and shape the future of our Aged Spirits & Champagne portfolio.
- Company: Join Pernod Ricard, a global leader in spirits and champagne with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, career growth opportunities, and a vibrant international community.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diversity and promotes personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving strategic decisions in a dynamic industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategy consulting or related roles, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
Pernod Ricard is a worldwide leader in the spirits and champagne industry, blending traditional craftsmanship, state-of-the-art brand development, and global distribution technologies. Our prestigious portfolio of premium to luxury brands includes Absolut vodka, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur and Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes.
Pernod Ricard’s Gold Brand Unit is the Group’s Aged Spirits & Champagne division, bringing together the prestigious portfolios of Irish Distillers, Chivas Brothers, Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët and North American Distillers. With a global team operating across 40 sites and brands spanning Irish, Scotch and American Whisk(e)y, Cognac, Champagne and wine, the division unites exceptional craftsmanship and deep expertise across iconic terroirs in Ireland, Scotland, France and North America. Its portfolio, rooted in heritage and provenance, embodies Pernod Ricard’s commitment to excellence from Premium to Ultra-Prestige, delivering some of the world’s most celebrated and enduring spirits and champagnes.
We are looking for a Head of Business Strategy to join the Business Strategy team reporting to the Director of Business Strategy for our Aged Spirits and Champagne business. The Head of Business Strategy is responsible for shaping and driving the mid- to long-term strategic agenda of the Aged Spirits & Champagne Brand Unit - Pernod Ricard's Cognac, Whisk(e)y and Champagne portfolio. The role partners closely with the Business Strategy Office to integrate Pernod Ricard’s strategic vision into Brand Unit plans. Acting as an internal strategy consultant, the role partners with Marketing, Commercial, Finance, Operations and Leadership teams to solve complex business challenges, develop strategic recommendations and lead cross-functional projects that drive growth and value creation.
What's involved?
- Contribute to the definition of BU mid- and long-term strategy, including portfolio strategy, brand and market prioritisation, and strategic shifts.
- Lead high-impact strategic projects, including growth strategy, market prioritisation, portfolio strategy, innovation and investment decisions.
- Frame complex business problems, develop hypotheses and deliver clear, evidence-based recommendations.
- Facilitate strategic discussions and executive workshops to align stakeholders around priorities, trade-offs and investment decisions.
- Translate consumer, market, financial and competitive insights into actionable business opportunities.
- Lead cross-functional projects from scoping through to recommendation and implementation planning.
- Develop executive-ready presentations, business cases and strategic roadmaps.
- Help build the Business Strategy team's consulting capability through coaching, knowledge sharing and adoption of best-practice strategic methodologies.
Experience
- Significant experience in strategy consulting, corporate strategy, commercial strategy or a related strategic leadership role.
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary strategic projects and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Experience in business planning and strategic processes.
- Track record of identifying growth opportunities and shaping strategic choices that deliver measurable business impact.
- Experience balancing long-term strategic thinking with short-term commercial priorities.
- Experience applying consumer, market and competitive insights to inform strategic decision-making.
- International exposure across markets and/or functions is an advantage.
Skills & Capabilities
- Growth, portfolio and commercial strategy.
- Structured problem solving and strategic thinking.
- Financial modelling and business case development.
- Intellectual curiosity and learning agility.
- Ability to challenge assumptions and identify new sources of growth and competitive advantage.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity, structure complex problems and drive clarity in decision making.
- Executive communication and storytelling.
- Stakeholder management and influencing.
- Project leadership and facilitation.
Why join us?
- You will be part of a connected, international community shaped by iconic brands, a performance mindset, and a proud legacy, where collaboration, fun and ambition coexist.
- We empower you to own your career, innovate boldly and grow alongside our business, surrounded by leaders who value curiosity, energy, and impact.
- You’ll help shape a business with a soul — one that cherishes the land, respects communities, and brings good times from a good place, responsibly and sustainably.
- People are at the heart of everything we do at Pernod Ricard and are the foundation of our collective spirit as ‘Créateurs de Convivialité’. We promote inclusion throughout our business and supply chain.
- We will assess your application for this role based on your skills, experiences, and achievements, not your gender, age, ethnic or educational background or any other such factors.
- Our recruiting team are more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process, in order for you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.
Head of Business Strategy in London employer: Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard UK is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides numerous opportunities for professional development while ensuring a supportive environment where every team member can thrive. Located in London, employees benefit from a dynamic city atmosphere, alongside competitive benefits and a commitment to health and safety in all operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Business Strategy in London
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Pernod Ricard!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Head of Business Strategy position at Pernod Ricard via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Strategy in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Pernod Ricard.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Pernod Ricard’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pernod Ricard
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Pernod Ricard. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Pernod Ricard. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Pernod Ricard.
