Diageo’s head of marketing and innovation in Australia Matt Bruhn has been handed a role as global brand director for Smirnoff, based in New York.

The drinks giant has not yet lined up a replacement for Bruhn in the Australian office, and it is understood there will be an internal and external recruitment search launched soon.

Although he officially starts the new role on October 1 Bruhn will initially be based in the Sydney office until the end of October, continuing to oversee the Australian marketing operations.

Bruhn, who has been with the drinks maker for nine years, has held the roles of brand manager for Bundaberg Rum, sponsorship marketing manager for Asia Pacific,  before being made marketing manager for the spirit, helping to reposition I in the market with premium products.

He took on the marketing and innovation director role more than two years ago.

This year the Bundaberg Road to recovery work through Leo Burnett Sydney won two Bronze Lions, and they won the Adfest 2013 advertiser of the year gong.