About us

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 119 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 26,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all.

As we move forward, our consumers will be at the heart of what we do, evolving to needs and expectations and committing to a more meaningful contribution to harm reduction by building a successful NGP business. Integral to our long-term success is our sustainability strategy, behaving responsibly and supporting our ambitions, all underpinned by high governance.

Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.

The Role

The exciting transformation that our business is currently undertaking has provided a huge opportunity in how we approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workspaces. From listening to our employees to embedding our new behaviours and driving improvements through moments that matter to employees, we have a clear DEI focus throughout the whole organisation globally. Diversity, Equity, and inclusion has never been so front of mind. We are committed to making Imperial Brands one of the fairest and most welcoming organisations where people can be their best, feel included and be their authentic self. Therefore, as Global Head of DEI your role is to spearhead key initiatives and projects to support the achievement of Imperial’s DEI strategy. As a subject matter expert, you will work cross functionally across all areas along Imperial’s value chain collating information to support Imperial’s narrative and performance against the DEI strategy, commitments, and priority DEI responsibilities. Reporting to the Global DEI Director, you will oversee and have an impact over a growing global population of over 20,000 employees, and you will be instrumental in shaping the next stage of the DE&I journey, collaborating with the Senior leaders of the business to create and support a truly inclusive culture. Your focus will be on influencing and positively changing long-term behaviour that will proactively facilitate attracting, retaining, and promoting a diverse workforce. The company continues to want to improve and promote a culture that reinforces our behaviours and celebrates a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can fulfil their potential.

Principal Accountabilities

• To effectively provide expertise, guidance and oversight of DEI as well as project manage inclusion and diversity activities and initiatives, collaborating with colleagues at all levels across Imperial brands in 120 markets
• To deputise for the Global DEI Director in all relevant meetings and projects including presenting at board level • To lead on large scale Global DEI Campaigns ensuring legal compliance is adhered to
• Oversee and drive forward Imperial’s participation in DEI benchmarks like Business Disability, Workplace Equality Assessment, Global Diversity Equity, and Inclusion Benchmark (GDEIB), the Workforce Disclosure Initiative (WDI) and other global ESG indices from investor rating.
• Partner with external agencies to gain best practice advice to achieve progress
• Oversee, analyse & drive forward reporting gaps in benchmarks, making recommendations to the business to drive improvement and to ensure the highest scores or ratings are achieved thereby enhancing Imperial’s reputation.
• Be responsible for ensuring timely reporting internally and externally to key stakeholders, with a clear governance structure in place to ensure we can report against DEI progress to ELT, Board, and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with business leaders and HR colleagues to actively support market led inclusion and diversity activities, recognising, and responding to different local cultural needs whilst aligned to group wide strategic intent and principles
• To review, identify and capture quantitative data to track progress (ROI), generating insight to inform business decision making and enable effective reporting to meet legal/regulatory requirements
• Review local and global people policies & practises such as menopause, parental leave, and inclusive benefits. Identify opportunities for improvement and global standardisation.
• To actively support the identification of employee champions and the continual development of ERGs covering all aspects of the DE&I agenda
• To continually develop self-awareness and understanding, to bring latest thinking and best practise to Imperial Brands
• To effectively communicate with stakeholders, designing and delivering engaging presentations and business reports as required
• To performance coach colleagues to develop awareness and understanding of inclusion and diversity
• To effectively lead and manage individuals reporting to this role as part of the DEI COE
• Oversea and provide governance of DEI budget

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Demonstrated experience (at least 5 years) in a team or project leadership role, with a passion for transformation, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Knowledge and understanding of DEI expertise and best practice.
• Excellent programme management skills and approaches to change.
• Experience of HR practices, processes and standards – ideally having worked in a COE, Business partner role to have gained a deep understanding of the employee life cycle from a HR and organisational perspective
• Experience of managing DEI Governance around initiatives
• Lead and work in multidisciplinary teams; strong team leader
• Experience in engaging internally and externally with influential stakeholders.
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills including ability to convey DEI subject matter in a simple manner.
• Skills in developing and executing appropriate engagement activities and key messages in co-ordination with other departments.
• Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data (DEI related) and provide timely critiques.
• Analytical capability to analyse DEI trends, issues and opportunities and align these to making practical suggestions for levers of change
• Strong interpersonal skills along with an ability to build and leverage strong and meaningful working relationships internally and externally across a diverse stakeholder network.
• Ability to work on own initiative, proactively and self lead
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and be agile to changing circumstances
• An authentic role model for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Desirable:

• Knowledge of DEI external best practice benchmarks – specifically the GDEIB, Stonewall GWEI and Business Disability assessment
• Knowledge of Global DEI certifications and reporting requirements
• Knowledge and understanding of DEI requirements outside of HR practices – for example suppler diversity and responsible sourcing

What we offer

Imperial Brands offer a competitive package of salary, bonus scheme, pension and 25 days holiday (with an additional 4 days on top to cover the Christmas period and bank holidays) and hybrid work.

Next steps

Interested applicants should apply with their CV highlighting their suitability for the role.