Open to opportunities

Wacheke Gichure

@wachekegichure

I build high-performing distributed teams through performance, talent, and organisational change.

At Automattic, I supported an async-first workforce of 1,000+ employees across international time zones, partnering with leaders on performance, engagement, development, workforce planning, and organisational effectiveness.

I built a company-wide performance management framework and a Developer Apprenticeship Programme that reduced junior hiring costs by 25%, delivered eight internal promotions, and achieved 90% post-promotion retention. I also strengthened leadership capability across 200+ employees through learning programmes focused on feedback, coaching, and leadership skills.

Previously, I led HR transformation across 11 African markets at Diageo, supporting more than 3,000 employees through organisational change. I’ve managed HR advisory teams, improved service delivery, introduced scalable workflows and automation, and bring empathetic, commercially grounded guidance to complex people matters.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Global HR Business Partner

Automattic Inc.

Jul 2021 - Aug 2024 (3 years 1 month)

Supported an async-first, globally distributed workforce of 1,000+ employees across international time zones, partnering with leaders and managers to strengthen performance, engagement, development, and organisational effectiveness. Built a company-wide performance management framework and developed technical talent programmes that created internal career pathways.

Performance Management People Leadership Coaching Employee Relations Distributed Teams Career Development Change Management Organizational Design Employee Engagement Leadership Development Workforce Planning People Analytics HR Transformation People Operations

Africa HR Transitions Manager

Diageo

Jun 2018 - Jun 2021 (3 years)

Led HR transformation and organisational change initiatives supporting more than 3,000 employees across 11 African markets, partnering with HR Directors and business leaders through complex organisational transitions. Improved HR service delivery and reduced query resolution time by 15% by coaching HR advisors and standardising approaches.

HR Transformation Change Management Organizational Design Workforce Planning HR Advisory Workday Process Improvement Governance Compliance

HR Operations Lead

FirstPoint Africa (SSC) Diageo, Africa

May 2016 - Jun 2018 (2 years 1 month)

Managed a team of 10 HR Advisors delivering high-volume employee lifecycle support across seven African markets. Improved service quality and team performance by leading, coaching, and developing the team and introducing standardised performance expectations.

Team Leadership Coaching Performance Management Employee Engagement Process Improvement Governance Knowledge Management

HR Advisor

FirstPoint Africa (SSC) Diageo, Africa

Jul 2014 - Apr 2016 (1 year 9 months)

Delivered end-to-end employee lifecycle support across multiple African markets while maintaining 100% compliance with HR policies, data privacy requirements, and service-level agreements. Improved employee and manager experience by providing timely guidance on HR policies, systems, and processes.

HRIS Employee Relations Compliance Recruitment Data Management Process Improvement