Josies Story | Career Progression | Gattaca

Job title: Director of Communications
Location: Whiteley

Why did you join Gattaca?
Initially I joined on a three-month contract whilst applying for a job in teaching. My background was in Marketing and the role was to help promote the new website. I had a few friends that worked here who recommended the job so I applied and here I am 13 years later.

Describe your Gattaca career so far.
Although I started as a temp, when I was offered the job of staying and setting up the Marketing team, I jumped at the chance and became a permanent member of staff.

The team has changed over the years as our business has evolved. I’ve had resource teams, a graduate recruitment team, from all being based at one site, to having people working for me internationally. Initially I managed one brand, where today where we have a house of  global brands. No two years have ever been the same, which has been challenging and exciting all at the same time.

How has your career changed or progressed since you joined?
I started in 2004 as a Marketing Executive, was promoted to Senior Marketing Executive two years later, became Team Leader two years after that and from 2008 I was Marketing Manager. In 2015 I took on the role of Head of Marketing and just this year (2017), I was promoted to Global Marketing Director.

What are your career aspirations with Gattaca?
I want to push myself to continually learn more about our markets and get closer to our customers. This will help me to not only develop personally but also to challenge the business and the Marketing team to adapt our service to ensure our customers have a great experience and want to continually work with us. I know Gattaca will support me – I have the privilege of going to Stanford to study Customer Focused Innovation this year which shows their commitment to my development - I'm very grateful for the company’s support.

Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about joining Gattaca?
Work hard, have drive and passion and you’ll be rewarded. Gattaca is such a supportive company; they’ve really helped me develop by investing in my training and personal development through Marketing qualifications, courses, a personal coach, Management and Leadership training. They have also been incredibly supportive throughout my life when having a child, allowing flexible hours and supporting me while my husband was very ill and needed treatment. If you put in the hours and passion they will support and help you professionally and personally.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The people - everyone always says that but whenever we work with external companies they always comment on how our people really are amazing. Everyone works hard but has a lot of fun together in the process. I also love the fact we are always evolving and changing – it makes my job very exciting, I can’t wait to see what we will look like in the next couple of years.