Open to opportunities

Susan Ferguson

@susanferguson

Message

Strategic internal and executive communications leader guiding global teams through transformation, crisis, and change.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a senior leadership role where I can run internal and executive communications end-to-end—partnering with CEOs, leading through transformation and crises, and building high-trust teams that measurably improve engagement, retention, and trust.

I’m a strategic internal and executive communications leader trusted to guide organizations through transformation, crisis, and large-scale workforce or technology change. I reframe communications around why it matters and the action it should drive—turning complex, technical, and operational issues into clear, human messages.

In my most recent role as Global Head of Internal Communications at Capgemini, I led executive messaging and global internal channels for a 35K employee business unit within a 300K employee organization, partnering directly with the CEO and senior leaders. I reset a fragmented team into strategy-led business partners, modernized engagement channels using data-led audience segmentation, and delivered transitions including 2K hostile account takeover and an AI-focused acquisition—driving zero disruption messaging, +25% engagement, and -20% voluntary turnover.

Before that, as Head of Crisis Communications at Atos, I owned governance, escalation, and decision-making for geopolitical, cyber, regulatory, and reputational incidents. I led crisis communications during the Russia-Ukraine invasion for a 110K workforce and stabilized sentiment through segmented, values-led messaging, contained reputational risk in 48 hours with disciplined narrative control, and achieved a 95% positive stakeholder assessment—while ensuring employee safety, relocation support, and business continuity.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Global Head of Internal Comms

Capgemini

Jan 2022 - Jan 2025 (3 years)

Promoted to global internal and executive communications for Capgemini’s Cloud Infrastructure Services business line, leading an 8-person team across a 35K employee organization within a 300K-employee company. Partnered with the CEO and senior leaders to deliver executive messaging, unify internal/external narrative, and modernize global engagement channels, increasing engagement 25% and reducing

Internal Communications Executive Communication Change Communications Workforce Transition Stakeholder Management

Head of Crisis Communications

Atos

Jan 2021 - Jan 2022 (1 year)

Led global crisis and high-risk communications for Atos, owning governance, escalation, and decision-making across geopolitical, cyber, regulatory, and reputational incidents. Stabilized sentiment during the Russia-Ukraine invasion for a 110K workforce, and contained reputational risk within 48 hours with no sustained negative media coverage and 95% positive stakeholder assessment.

Crisis Communications Media Relations Cross functional Coordination

Senior Brand Manager

Atos

Jan 2019 - Jan 2021 (2 years)

Owned global brand and employer brand strategy across a 110K employee, matrixed organization, operating the Atos brand as a core business asset. Ran a global agency RFP to secure brand and messaging partners and delivered a coordinated worldwide rollout of the new brand framework aligning internal communications, PR, and external launch activities.

Brand Strategy Employer Branding Messaging Frameworks PR Alignment Internal Communications Change Enablement

Head of Internal & External Comms

Atos - IAS

Jan 2016 - Jan 2019 (3 years)

Oversaw internal and external communications for a 2.5K employee disability assessment business, advising the C-suite and managing reputation in a highly regulated government-facing environment. Stabilized a challenged reputation by shifting from reactive communications to a structured, values-led reputation strategy, strengthening public affairs and issues governance and improving spokesperson re

Internal Communications Values Led Reputation Strategy Public Affairs Issues Management Spokesperson Preparation Executive Stakeholder Advisory

Head of Marketing & Internal Comms

Atos Scotland

Jan 2010 - Jan 2016 (6 years)

Directed marketing and internal communications for a multi-organization IT services partnership delivering to NHS Scotland, aligning four organizations behind a shared narrative and engagement strategy. Built credibility with NHS stakeholders through event, conference, and speaker engagement, and recalibrated communications after the exit of one organization to maintain stakeholder confidence and

Marketing Communications Internal Communications Stakeholder Engagement Narrative Development Audience Targeting Governance And Continuity Planning

Marketing Manager

Atos Scotland

Jan 2007 - Jan 2010 (3 years)

Led marketing and communications for Atos’s mission-critical IT systems delivery for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, translating complex technology into clear narratives while safeguarding brand and partner obligations. Strengthened reputation, client relationships, and employee pride through program-led storytelling and governance-focused campaign execution.

Olympics And Major Games Messaging Client Relationship Management Brand Governance Storytelling Employee Communications