Are you a seasoned programme delivery leader with a proven record of driving impactful digital and technology transformation across regions? Do you have a passion for stakeholder engagement, optimizing project outcomes, and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement? If so, Diageo—the world’s leading premium drinks company—invites you to apply for the position of Head of Africa Delivery and Change, based in Nairobi, Kenya.
At Diageo, we believe in celebrating life every day, everywhere. Our purpose is the foundation of everything we do—from our iconic global brands like Guinness®, Smirnoff®, Johnnie Walker®, Baileys®, and Tanqueray®, to our innovation in creating a digital-first, insights-driven consumer products business.
This is a full-time leadership opportunity in our Digital and Technology (D&T) department, reporting directly to the Regional Director. The role offers a unique chance to be part of an energetic, forward-thinking team that delivers transformative technology and digital projects across Africa.
About the Role: Head of Africa Delivery and Change
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Time Type: Full-time
Department: Digital and Technology (IT)
Reports to: Regional Director
Application Deadline: May 8, 2025
Job Requisition ID: JR1112082
Context and Scope
Diageo is at a crucial stage in its digital transformation journey. Our D&T team plays a vital role in harnessing data, accelerating innovation, and delivering agile, effective solutions across global markets. As Head of Africa Delivery and Change, you will be responsible for steering the execution of our regional digital and technology portfolio.
This includes ensuring successful delivery of both regional and global D&T initiatives, fostering strong relationships across markets, and ensuring outcomes are achieved with the highest quality and within allocated financial resources.
You will collaborate with key stakeholders from local business sponsors to global product teams, aligning delivery priorities to business needs while maintaining governance and budgetary controls.
Key Responsibilities
1. Portfolio Delivery Management
- Lead and manage the execution of a regional D&T portfolio, ensuring that strategic initiatives are successfully delivered across multiple markets.
- Identify and manage interdependencies between programs, uncovering opportunities for synergy and alignment across markets and teams.
- Work with the Project Management Centre of Excellence to initiate and mobilize projects, refining business cases from a regional standpoint.
- Mitigate risks and resolve issues across the delivery portfolio.
- Empower project and program leaders, holding them accountable for performance, risk mitigation, CARM (Control Assurance and Risk Management) compliance, and resource allocation.
2. Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Collaborate with the Strategic PMO Office to ensure all delivery initiatives meet entry criteria before portfolio integration.
- Influence and align work prioritization decisions within the Value Stream Boards.
- Partner with key internal and external stakeholders—including global product owners, value stream leads, and senior leadership—to support smooth delivery and governance.
- Build strong relationships and maintain open communication with all stakeholders to manage expectations, resolve concerns, and provide regular progress updates.
3. Process Improvement and Optimization
- Champion continuous improvement by evaluating and enhancing delivery methodologies, tools, and processes.
- Establish and implement best practices for portfolio and project management, driving consistent execution excellence across regions.
4. Performance Monitoring and Reporting
- Track delivery progress against milestones and commitments using review frameworks at monthly, quarterly, and annual intervals.
- Analyze performance metrics such as timelines, resource usage, and budget performance.
- Provide data-driven recommendations for improving performance and achieving desired business outcomes.
- Prepare detailed and concise reports for senior leadership, highlighting risks, achievements, and strategic decisions.
5. Financial Oversight
- Manage an annual D&T budget exceeding £10 million.
- Ensure efficient and effective use of financial resources.
- Identify financial risks and opportunities within the delivery pipeline and recommend solutions accordingly.
Market & Operational Complexity
- Oversee a wide portfolio spanning multiple countries, business units, and technologies.
- Navigate mid-to-high levels of risk related to operational continuity and technological complexity.
- Balance global and regional delivery priorities with market-specific needs to drive measurable value.
Leadership Responsibilities
- Structure and lead cross-functional, multi-disciplinary delivery teams across the Africa region.
- Ensure alignment with global D&T teams to harmonize delivery plans.
- Drive accountability, clarity of roles, and high standards in performance across the team.
- Influence without direct authority, guiding non-reporting teams toward a shared vision of success.
- Promote a strong culture of inclusion, respect, and continuous improvement.
Ideal Candidate Profile
This role requires a candidate with substantial experience in:
- Programme and stakeholder management within large, matrixed organizations.
- Delivering results using both traditional (waterfall) and modern (Agile) project management methodologies.
- Building and nurturing high-performance teams across geographies and disciplines.
- Pan-cultural collaboration and influencing across complex stakeholder environments.
- Championing digital transformation through strategic thinking and excellent execution capabilities.
- Navigating ambiguity and leading through change while maintaining clarity and direction.
Additional competencies that will set you apart include:
- Expertise in enterprise-level Agile implementation.
- Familiarity with technology trends impacting the consumer goods sector.
- Passion for innovation, improvement, and operational excellence.
- Willingness to travel across the Africa region based on business need.
Why Join Diageo?
At Diageo, we are more than just a company—we are a community. We pride ourselves on being a diverse and inclusive workplace, one that empowers people from all walks of life to thrive and contribute. Here, your individuality will be celebrated, and your ideas will shape the future of global consumer products.
Our ambition is to become the best-performing, most trusted, and most respected consumer goods company in the world. By joining our D&T leadership, you’ll help us build a more connected, intelligent, and innovative Diageo—one digital solution at a time.
Diversity and Inclusion at Diageo
We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong. We celebrate diversity in its broadest form—gender, ethnicity, age, ability, education, social background, and mindset.
If you require reasonable accommodations during the application process, please indicate so when submitting your application.
How to Apply
The application deadline is May 8, 2025. If you’re inspired to lead digital transformation across Africa for one of the world’s most iconic companies, we encourage you to take the next step.
