Does your organisation need to hire a Head of Remote?

As organisations, including Defence, embrace remote working and start to put into place flexible working arrangements, it is becoming apparent that remote workers need a manager with specialist skills. According to Darren Murph, it’s time to consider a Head of Remote. The nature of the company would influence how a Head of Remote would work; however, tasks may include the following:

• Writing guidelines for remote work.
• Supporting conversations on organisation design/collaboration.
• Planning online events.
• Responding to employees queries.
• Researching best practices.
• Onboarding process to help employees acclimatise to remote work.
• Develop that remote-first way of thinking.

Skills to undertake this role could include: 

• Exceptional communication skills, especially in written form. 
• Flexibility to act across departments—having allies in every department and being well-connected.
• A visionary and problem solver—someone who can research best-practice and apply it.

Remote work expertise and leadership should become a highly marketable skill set. And as companies employ a Head of Remote, workers might begin to feel better supported, connected, engaged, and valued wherever they work.

• Sep 2020 The Washington Post. Hot new job title in a pandemic: ‘Head of remote work’
• Jun 2021 Forbes. Does Your Company Need A Head Of Remote?
• Jul 2021 Association Talent Development. Head of Remote Work Emerges as a New Position