Woolworth’s five-month-old head of corporate affairs made redundant

After five months in the job, Woolworth’s head of corporate affairs has been made redundant.

The new head of corporate affairs at retail giant Woolworths (WOW), Jennifer James, has been made redundant after just five months in the demanding job.

Ms James relocated from Hong Kong in October where she was head of corporate affairs in the Asia Pacific for soft drink maker PepsiCo.

She was reporting to Woolworths’ chief legal officer and company secretary Richard Dammery, not chief executive Brad Banducci, who started in the role also last year.

It is understood that Ms James’ position will now be split up, with internal communications executive Peter O’Sullivan moving up to assume a more senior role in the department.

The head of corporate affairs role had been vacant at the troubled retailer since January last year when Peter McConnell announced his departure.

The job had been filled on an interim basis by Claire Kimball, a former press secretary to former prime minister Tony Abbott.

Ms Kimball left the group after the appointment of Ms James to the coveted and highly-paid role.

She was rumoured to be have been paid more than $700,000 to fill the key position.