Head of Change

Head of Change

Full-Time 75600 - 92400 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead transformational change for iconic spirits brands and ensure readiness for SAP implementation.
  • Company: Join Pernod Ricard, a global leader in premium spirits and champagnes.
  • Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and excellence.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of change in a dynamic industry and make a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Experience in change management and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.

We operate a hybrid working approach, which allows you to manage your time between home and office.

Be part of something big. 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.

Pernod Ricard's Crystal Brand Unit manages the Group's clear spirits and ready-to-drink (RTD) portfolio of premium vodka, tequila, mezcal, rum, liqueurs, gin, aperitifs and RTDs. The global portfolio brings together a collection of vibrant, mixable, premium and ultra-premium brands. These include Absolut Vodka, the world's number one premium vodka; Beefeater, the world's most awarded gin; Malibu, the leading flavoured rum; Kahlúa, the world's top coffee liqueur; and Lillet, the internationally renowned aperitif. The portfolio also features agave spirits, such as the award-winning Altos tequila and highly acclaimed craft gins like Monkey 47. We aim to shape modern drinks culture with bold, creative brands that reflect Pernod Ricard's commitment to excellence, offering some of the world's most celebrated and enduring spirits, liqueurs and aperitifs.

Your unique contribution: Join Pernod Ricard on its ambitious transformation journey as Head of Change for the Gold and Crystal Brand Units. This is a dual-mandate role sitting at the heart of Gold and Crystal BU Transformation, combining hands-on SAP readiness leadership with strategic change management across both Brand Units.

The role has two core pillars:

  • ERP Readiness (Gold BU): Lead change readiness activities for the LEAP SAP S/4HANA implementation in the Gold Brand Unit, ensuring people, processes, and the organisation are prepared for go-live and beyond.
  • BU Change Strategy (Gold & Crystal): Define and deliver a holistic change management strategy across both Brand Units, leveraging Pernod Ricard's global change frameworks, tools, and methodologies.

About LEAP: LEAP is Pernod Ricard's flagship global transformation programme, bringing together business leaders and functional experts to reshape the way we operate. Through the implementation of SAP S/4HANA and a harmonised global data model, LEAP will establish a common business language and standardised processes - enabling greater transparency, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making across the organisation.

As Head of Change, you will play a pivotal role in the Gold BU's journey towards LEAP go-live, while simultaneously shaping the broader change agenda that will sustain transformation momentum across both Brand Units.

The key responsibilities within this role will be:

  • Leap Readiness: Gold Brand Unit
    • Change Readiness Planning: Own and drive the end-to-end change readiness workstream for the Gold BU LEAP implementation, working in close partnership with the HQ Deployment team, programme leadership, and affiliate stakeholders.
    • Impact Assessment: Conduct thorough change impact assessments across Gold BU affiliates, identifying people, process, and organisational risks and developing mitigation plans.
    • Cutover and Adoption Readiness: Lead readiness tracking and reporting through to go-live, including cutover preparation, hypercare planning, and post-go-live adoption monitoring.
    • Stakeholder and Sponsor Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with Gold BU ExCom sponsors, affiliate leads, and functional owners to drive active sponsorship and visible leadership of the change.
    • Training and Enablement: Partner with the global training workstream to ensure training programmes are locally relevant and user groups in the Gold BU are equipped and confident in new processes and systems.
  • BU Change Strategy: Gold & Crystal Brand Units
    • Change Strategy Definition: Develop and own an integrated change strategy across both Brand Units, aligned to global Change frameworks and the broader Pernod Ricard transformation agenda.
    • Framework and Methodology Deployment: Embed global change management frameworks and tools within the BU teams, building a consistent and scalable approach to change across both BUs.
    • Change Network and Capability Building: Establish and lead a network of change champions and local change relays across both Brand Units, developing internal capability and embedding a culture of change readiness.
    • Communications and Engagement: Design and execute targeted communication plans.

Head of Change employer: pernodricard

Pernod Ricard is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration within the vibrant setting of Chiswick, London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the company provides ample opportunities for professional development through its ambitious transformation journey, including the LEAP programme, which empowers employees to shape modern drinks culture while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working approach.

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Contact Details:

pernodricard Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Change

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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Change

SAP S/4HANA
Change Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Impact Assessment
Training and Enablement
Communication Strategy
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

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Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at pernodricard. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!

Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.

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How to prepare for a job interview at pernodricard

Master the Case Study Game

In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!

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As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

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