Head Of Communications, Australasia

This role is instrumental in shaping and delivering high-impact communication strategies that align with the Accelerate+ transformation agenda, fostering a strong culture, engaging employees, supporting business change, and strengthening leadership visibility. Working closely with the Managing Director Australasia and the People Director, you will ensure people-focused communications are aligned with our Accelerate+ strategy and our employee value proposition (EVP), culture, and strategic priorities.
This role manages the communication portfolio within Australasia, ensuring consistency of message, tone and strategy across all internal and external touch points for Inchcape. The role is responsible for establishing high levels of engagement through the development and delivery of communications and engagement strategies during a transformational period for Inchcape.
This role supports both local and regional (APAC) communication initiatives in a matrixed environment.
Responsibilities
Internal Communications and Employee Engagement
Develop and execute an internal and people communications strategy aligned with global and regional priorities.
Partner closely with the People team to deliver communication plans across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, wellbeing, development, recognition, and DE&I initiatives.
Drive employee engagement through timely, inspiring, and inclusive messaging across all internal channels (e.g., intranet, newsletters, town halls, videos, digital platforms).
Support culture-building efforts and values-led storytelling that reinforces Inchcape's purpose and EVP.
Portray Inchcape as a Sustainable Business.
Guardian of corporate brand identity throughout the Cluster e.g. Inchcape Brand Guidelines and for new acquisitions, support integration of the Inchcape brand into new business.
Measure and report on communication effectiveness to continually improve engagement and impact.
Business Change & Transformation Communications
Design and deliver strategic communication plans to support large-scale change initiatives, including digital transformation, organisational changes, and the Accelerate+ program.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, helping shape messaging and change narratives that align with business priorities.
Develop toolkits and assets to help people leaders communicate change clearly and confidently.
Leadership & Executive Communications
Partner with the Managing Director Australasia and leadership team on townhalls, speechwriting, video scripts, presentations, and internal messaging.
Elevate leadership visibility and authenticity across internal platforms and employee engagement moments.
Ensure leaders are equipped to communicate with empathy and clarity during key business updates or change programs.
Ensure physical spaces reflect Inchcape's corporate identity.
Manage and optimise all internal communication channels.
Maintain all Inchcape Australasia communications platforms both internally and externally.
Lead content development across multiple formats – written, video, visual – ensuring consistency with brand tone and voice.
Support employee storytelling to bring organisational values and achievements to life.
Regional & Cross-functional Collaboration
Collaborate with the APAC Regional Communications team to localise and align messaging with global campaigns and brand initiatives.
Represent Australasia in regional communications forums and contribute to cross-market collaboration and best practice sharing.
Work closely with local HR, Marketing, Sales and other cross-functional teams to ensure consistent messaging across all internal and people communications.
Build Communications capability
Lead a strong Communication community, ensuring best practice is shared across the Cluster.
Responsible for ensuring in-market communications resources and appointed spokespersons have the necessary skills and capabilities to effectively deliver communication plans. This includes hiring the right talents, selecting and appointing suitable communication agencies, and working with People team to ensure training and development plans are in place.
Manage the team, resources and budget for the communications function within the Australasian Cluster.
Qualifications
Minimum 12+ years' experience in internal communications and change communications, ideally within a multinational, matrixed organisation.
Relevant tertiary qualifications coupled with strong digital fluency with modern internal communications tools and platforms.
Demonstrated success leading strategic internal and people communications programs that enhance culture, engagement, and transformation.
Strong storytelling, writing, editing, and content development skills across diverse formats and audiences.
Experience supporting business transformation and cultural change through strategic communication.
Adept at partnering with senior leaders and People teams, with the ability to influence and advise across levels.
Proven ability to operate autonomously and with sound judgment in a fast-paced, change-oriented environment.
A strong commitment to the principles and practices of DEI.
Extensive experience in stakeholder management skills and building relationships.
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Human Resources and Public Relations
Industries
Automotive, Motor Vehicle Manufacturing, and Retail
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