Corporate Communications Lead, Global Citizenship & Sustainability

The Global Corporate Communications Lead – Citizenship & Sustainability is responsible for delivering development and implementation of external communications strategies and programs that help define and promote our company’s leadership in the areas of global citizenship and sustainability. He/she will serve as a trusted communications counselor and partner for various leaders, departments and regions within the company to define communications strategies, find new solutions, and execute plans that align with the Company’s culture, brand, and business objectives.

• Research and Analysis – Use benchmarking and research skills to proactively identify issues, risks and trends that can affect the brand and its ability to deliver and engage across GC&S topics
• Develop strategies and plans designed to demonstrate RLC’s leadership in citizenship and sustainability with external stakeholders including: within the industry, investors, consumers and media
• Lead the development of a core narrative and executive POVs for GC&S
• Participate in key industry events to benchmark and track leading practices
• Work collaboratively with GC&S working group leaders, engaging to understand key milestones and progress
• Act as key partner to Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation and advise on communications strategies and opportunities to earn credit for philanthropic efforts
• Contribute to editorial calendar specific to GC&S
• Collaborate with Sustainability team on development of GC&S report, including content reviews and planning around external communications for the report’s release
• Provide counsel and perspective to internal business partners on relevant trends, industry issues and potential reputational challenges
• In partnership with public affairs team, track developments in environmental laws and regulations impacting the brand
• Serve as a key partner to marketing to bring our GC&S story to life for consumers across all touch points; Align with Marketing/social media teams to sync corporate and consumer activities and narratives
• Collaborate with marketing and RLCF to elevate our giving and advocacy around cancer prevention and care, including leading the external communications strategy around the annual Pink Pony initiative
• Manage GC&S communications team in the execution of the comms plans, including helping team prioritize high value work
• Advise and manage responses to potential issues and crises related to GC&S, including partnering with internal stakeholders at executive level
• Build and maintain relationships with key media contacts covering citizenship and sustainability
• Oversee executive of executive visibility plans for GC&S, in partnership with head of corporate communications and CEO communications lead
• Become subject matter expert on GC&S strategy with ability to manage external inquiries from press, data providers and non-profits/NGOs

• Strong writing and communication skills
• Hyper attention to detail
• Team oriented, collaborative, diplomatic and flexible
• Ability to prepare reports, presentations and recommendations based on a high volume of data
• Ability to lead and motivate teams through period of change/growth
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload and to work collaboratively across a highly cross-functional environment.
• Proven track record of leading staff and or/agency teams to achieve measurable results
• Experience partnering/providing counsel to senior executives - courage to challenge positions, express unpopular views, and influence outcomes
• Strategic thinker able to identify and champion new ideas and approaches
• Understanding of sustainability concepts and priority areas related to apparel industry
• Passionate, confident, self-sufficient leader who has or can develop strong relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization
• Strong business acumen with demonstrated ability to connect business objectives and communications strategies
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; related communications experience
• Creative thinker
• Exceptional project management skills and the ability to structure and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and drive to completion
• Strategic, proactive, problem solver with the ability to deliver high quality initiatives in a pressurized environment
• Demonstrated media relations expertise, including story development, pitching, spokesperson prep
• Knowledge of how to develop communications strategies that are impactful, create perception change, and define new direction
• Ability to work within a complex and often ambiguous environment, to drive rigorous, fact-based recommendations to senior management.
• Extensive knowledge of MS Office Suite (PPT, Word, Excel, SharePoint), with ability to quickly learn other applications, as necessary
• Strong storytelling skills - persuasive written and verbal communications skills, including interpersonal and presentation skills
• Self-starter with a demonstrated ability to thrive in a team-based environment that is fast-paced and dynamic
• A sense of humor and ability to not take him/herself too seriously
• Ability to facilitate meetings with internal and external stakeholders
• Fluency in business and sustainability reporting standards and requirements (GRI, SASBE)