Overview
The Colleague Communications Director is a senior leader responsible for shaping and delivering Sage's colleague communications strategy across a complex, global FTSE 100 organization. Working in close partnership with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and EVP Corporate Affairs, this role ensures clarity, alignment and engagement across Sage—enabling strategy execution, organizational performance and cultural cohesion. The role plays a critical part in supporting periods of transformation, change and growth, translating enterprise strategy into compelling, trusted narratives that resonate from the top of the organization to the frontline. This leader sets the direction for colleague communications globally, builds deep organizational insight, and ensures Sage's colleagues are informed, engaged and aligned behind the company's priorities, values and ambition. This is a hybrid role 3 days per week for our Newcastle or London office.
Responsibilities
You’ll define and lead the global colleague communications strategy, ensuring messaging is clear, consistent and aligned across regions, functions and leadership teams.
Acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, you’ll provide guidance on colleague engagement, organizational sentiment, communication risks and alignment during key business moments.
You’ll shape the enterprise narrative across strategy, performance, culture and transformation initiatives, leading communications around major organizational changes such as restructures, acquisitions, leadership transitions and operating model shifts.
A key focus of the role will be ensuring colleagues understand the company's direction, why it matters and how they contribute to Sage's success.
You’ll also establish governance, standards and communication channels across the organization, using insight, data and feedback to continuously improve engagement and effectiveness.
Alongside this, you’ll lead and develop a high‑performing communications team and work closely with teams across People, Finance, Strategy, Product, Brand and regional leadership to ensure integrated and aligned messaging globally.
Qualifications
We’re looking for an experienced communications leader with a strong background in enterprise‑wide colleague or corporate communications within a large, complex organization. You should be confident operating at executive level, with the credibility and judgment to advise senior leaders on sensitive communications, engagement and organizational change. You’ll be a strategic thinker with excellent storytelling and stakeholder management skills, able to translate complex business priorities into compelling, human communication. Strong leadership capability is essential, alongside experience building high‑performing teams and driving communication strategies that support culture, transformation and business performance. Experience working within a global, matrixed or listed business environment would be highly valuable.
Director Colleague Communications in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Sage Group plc
Sage is an exceptional employer for aspiring AI Engineers, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to develop your technical and commercial skills while working on cutting-edge AI solutions that drive global marketing efforts. Located in a vibrant environment, Sage provides generous benefits and a supportive atmosphere that encourages creativity and professional development.
