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Supporting a Global Head of Talent and Development to Thrive After Maternity Leave
Reconnecting, Redefining, and Returning to Work with Confidence
How VB&A’s return-to-work coaching helped a senior HR leader navigate transition, redefine her leadership, and sustain success in a new chapter.
The problem
Returning to work after parental leave can be one of the most significant professional transitions in a person’s career. For this Global Head of Talent and Development in a major insurance company, the return meant not only balancing new personal responsibilities as a parent but also stepping back into a demanding, fast-paced role that spanned multiple countries and time zones.
As a respected leader with a reputation for high standards and hands-on delivery, she was conscious that life, and work, had shifted. She wanted to return with clarity, confidence, and a plan that would allow her to perform at her best while creating the space she needed to stay well and present for her family.
The solution
VB&A partnered with her to create a tailored 3 session ‘Return to Work Coaching Programme’ designed to help her re-enter, reset, and realign her approach to leadership and wellbeing.
Session 1: Setting Up for Success (Pre-return)
Before her official return, we focused on preparing both practically and professionally. Together we explored:
• How to set boundaries and communicate them effectively.
• Re-establishing stakeholder relationships to rebuild visibility and influence.
• The importance of delegation, enabling her to lead strategically rather than operate 24/7.
• Maintaining her reputation for excellence while adjusting to new working patterns as a part-time leader.
She left with a clear action plan and a sense of control over her re-entry.
Session 2: One Month In: Reflection and Refinement
A month after returning, we met again to reflect on progress: what had gone well, what had surprised her, and what needed attention.
Together we:
• Reviewed team dynamics and how her new ways of working were landing.
• Identified opportunities to empower her team through greater ownership and accountability.
• Developed key messaging to reinforce goals, responsibilities, and expectations across her global HR function.
• Encouraged 1:1 conversations to explore team members’ aspirations, turning delegation into genuine development.
Session 3: Six Weeks In: Embedding Success
By the six-week point, she was fully re-immersed in her role. We reviewed the feedback she had received and identified focus areas for continued success. Each session concluded with tangible actions and renewed clarity, ensuring momentum and confidence remained high.
The outcome
Through the coaching journey, the client reported:
• A smooth, confident transition back into her global role.
• Greater clarity on boundaries and sustainable ways of working.
• A more empowered, motivated team through thoughtful delegation.
• Renewed confidence in her leadership identity as both a senior professional and a parent.
She shared that having a trusted space to pause, reflect, and plan “meant everything” — enabling her to return not just ready to work, but ready to lead differently.
Why It Matters
VB&A’s Return-to-Work Coaching supports professionals — men and women — through life’s major transitions. Whether returning from parental leave, extended absence, or a period of change, our programmes help individuals regain confidence, re-establish purpose, and reconnect with their roles in a sustainable, impactful way.
From the client
“Returning to work post maternity leave can be daunting for a lot of people, luckily for me I was excited to get back into the swing of things. However, despite the excitement there was still some nervousness – would I be able to juggle my time effectively? How do I come back and ensure my reputation to get things done is maintained? How do I catch up and make sure I feel in the loop with what’s been happening whilst I was out of the office?…
In steps Victoria! Luckily for me, our business implemented Return to Work coaching and I leapt at the chance to work with Victoria. She gave me the space to voice my concerns, challenged me productively on the priority of certain worries, and helped me to navigate my return to work so that it was super successful and (dare I say!) seamless. I really enjoyed my time working with Victoria, she’s knowledgeable, empathetic and very solutions focused. After every session with Victoria I walked away with clarity and clear actions on how to move forward.”