Director - Head of Global Leadership Communications

About KPMG International:

Together with more than 276,000 colleagues across 138 countries, KPMG people turn ambitious ideas into practical solutions for clients of all sizes. A role with KPMG International offers the opportunity to work at the centre of a global organisation and make an impact on a worldwide scale.

KPMG International helps shape the strategy and protect the reputation of the global KPMG network of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We support member firms, drive positive change and help deliver value to clients, people and communities around the world.

About Global Corporate Affairs:

The world is facing significant social, economic and technological change. As businesses increasingly embrace the concept of stakeholder capitalism, KPMG recognizes that our success is not solely defined in financial terms. Our purpose, to inspire confidence and empower change, defines a broader contribution that encompasses not just the commitment we make to our people and KPMG’s current and future clients but also wider society and the future of professional services.

Corporate Affairs is at the heart of this work. We identify the people and actions that help shape, promote and protect the reputation of KPMG. We work with all those - internally and externally, directly or indirectly - who influence our reputation and who we must listen to, and constructively engage with, if we are to achieve our trust and growth ambition.

This is why KPMG has brought together a team of experienced professionals from across public affairs, ESG and communications. Together, we form the Global Corporate Affairs Function. Working with colleagues in member firms across our network, we are on a journey to transform the way we engage with all those people who influence our reputation.

About the team:

Global Communications consists of three specialism-based teams: Strategic Communications (which is comprised of three pillars: the Global Reputation Campaigns and Programs team, the Media Relations & Issues Management team and the Social Media team), Internal Communications, and Leadership Communications. This exciting role sits in the Leadership Communications Team.

Role summary:

The Head of Global Leadership Communications will provide strategic communications support to our Global Chairman & CEO, and lead our Leadership Communications team which also supports our Global Chief Operating Officer and other senior leaders. The successful candidate will own the strategic development, management and implementation of an effective communications strategy for this area and will be dedicated to supporting ways of bringing KPMG’s strategy to life internally and engaging our employees in an impactful way.

This individual will work closely with the Global Chairman & CEO, CEO office and COO. They will report directly to the Head of Global Communications, and will work alongside the Global Communications Leadership Team to ensure alignment and integrated communications across our activity.

This is a challenging and exciting role that will involve day-to-day liaison with the Global Management Team (GMT) and other senior stakeholders. All outputs and outcomes must be to the highest standard. The successful candidate will need to display exceptional communication and influencing skills, as well as a keen sense of business acumen and professional judgement.

What you’ll be accountable for:

Leadership Communications Strategy and Delivery

• Work closely with the Head of Global Communications to develop, manage and execute integrated leadership communications strategies, plans and programmes for the Global Chairman & CEO, COO and CAO, supporting the delivery of their priorities, strengthening KPMG’s reputation and advancing its trust and growth ambitions.
• Personally lead and execute high-profile communications across internal and external channels, including message development, speeches, town halls, presentations, leadership events, partner conferences and reporting.
• Lead and coordinate the Global Chairman & CEO’s internal and external profile across relevant platforms, and advise senior leaders on proven communications approaches that deliver successful programmes and exceptional outcomes.
• Serve as a strategic adviser to senior leaders, ensuring messaging is consistent and aligned across channels and strengthens KPMG’s organisational narrative and reputation.
• Oversee the effective delivery of a diverse portfolio of global communications programmes for internal and external audiences, using the content management tool and robust editorial and project-management processes.
• Develop and implement communications measurement and reporting aligned to the Global Corporate Affairs strategy.
• Lead engagement with regions and countries to support the adoption, development and rollout of global programmes, identifying opportunities to leverage successful regional and member firm activity globally.
• Build strong relationships across business areas, regions and member firms, understanding their interdependencies and identifying opportunities to improve connectivity and consistency in messaging and narrative.
• Contribute actively to the Global Communications Leadership Team, supporting other communications teams and leading cross-functional or skill-set priorities as required.
• Maintain trusted relationships with the Global Chairman & CEO, COO, CAO, Global Head of Corporate Affairs and Head of Global Communications.

Team Leadership and Resource Management

• Provide strategic counsel to the wider communications function on the positioning and tactics for Connected 2030, acting as the central global expert in leadership communications.
• Lead, coach and develop the Leadership Communications team, managing performance against agreed objectives and KPIs while fostering an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture that attracts, retains and motivates talent.
• Play an active role as a member of the Global Communications Leadership Team, supporting other communications teams and leading skill-set activity as required.
• Be accountable for identifying and securing all resource requirements and for managing communications budgets, identifying opportunities to improve effectiveness, efficiency and value.
• Work closely with key stakeholders across the global network and support wider Corporate Affairs priorities, commitments and deliverables.

Skills, experience and knowledge you’ll need:

• Significant senior communications experience developing and implementing strategic internal communications for professional services firms.
• Exceptional writing, speechwriting and communication skills, with the ability to translate business priorities into compelling, actionable content.
• Extensive experience advising partner, board and executive-level stakeholders in a matrix environment, remaining professional, calm and persuasive while confidently influencing and constructively challenging.
• A strong track record of delivering high-profile communications strategies, integrated campaigns, executive profiling and stakeholder outreach programmes in complex organisations.
• Strong, ethical leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to foster creative, inclusive, collaborative and high-performing teams.
• Experience developing compelling value propositions and integrated, issues-based platforms that strengthen relationships and support commercial growth.
• Proven ability to negotiate with and manage sophisticated external organisations, including global industry bodies, academic institutions, media owners and content, service and strategic providers.
• Strong commercial awareness and deep knowledge of the professional services sector.
• Exceptional project-management and influencing skills, with the ability to secure support from diverse and geographically dispersed stakeholders while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, SharePoint and Teams.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities, travel and work flexibly when required.