Corporate Communications Lead, Global Citizenship & Sustainability

Company Description
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview
​​​​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.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

* 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
* Manage GC&S communications team in the execution of the comms plans, including helping team prioritize high value work
* Oversee executive of executive visibility plans for GC&S, in partnership with head of corporate communications and CEO communications lead
* Act as key partner to Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation and advise on communications strategies and opportunities to earn credit for philanthropic efforts
* 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
* 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
* Build and maintain relationships with key media contacts covering citizenship and sustainability
* Provide counsel and perspective to internal business partners on relevant trends, industry issues and potential reputational challenges
* Advise and manage responses to potential issues and crises related to GC&S, including partnering with internal stakeholders at executive level
* Collaborate with Sustainability team on development of GC&S report, including content reviews and planning around external communications for the report's release
* Work collaboratively with GC&S working group leaders, engaging to understand key milestones and progress
* Become subject matter expert on GC&S strategy with ability to manage external inquiries from press, data providers and non-profits/NGOs
* Contribute to editorial calendar specific to GC&S
* 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
* Participate in key industry events to benchmark and track leading practices
* In partnership with public affairs team, track developments in environmental laws and regulations impacting the brand

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

* ​​​​Bachelor's degree preferred; related communications experience
* ​Strong storytelling skills - persuasive written and verbal communications skills, including interpersonal and presentation skills
* ​Demonstrated media relations expertise, including story development, pitching, spokesperson prep
* ​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
* ​Creative thinker
* ​Knowledge of how to develop communications strategies that are impactful, create perception change, and define new direction
* ​Strong business acumen with demonstrated ability to connect business objectives and communications strategies
* ​Ability to prioritize and manage workload and to work collaboratively across a highly cross-functional environment.
* ​Experience partnering/providing counsel to senior executives - courage to challenge positions, express unpopular views, and influence outcomes
* ​Strategic, proactive, problem solver with the ability to deliver high quality initiatives in a pressurized environment
* ​Ability to lead and motivate teams through period of change/growth
* ​Proven track record of leading staff and or/agency teams to achieve measurable results ​​​
* Extensive knowledge of MS Office Suite (PPT, Word, Excel, SharePoint), with ability to quickly learn other applications, as necessary
* A sense of humor and ability to not take him/herself too seriously
* Exceptional project management skills and the ability to structure and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and drive to completion
* Fluency in business and sustainability reporting standards and requirements (GRI, SASBE)
* Ability to work within a complex and often ambiguous environment, to drive rigorous, fact-based recommendations to senior management.
* Team oriented, collaborative, diplomatic and flexible
* Self-starter with a demonstrated ability to thrive in a team-based environment that is fast-paced and dynamic
* Strategic thinker able to identify and champion new ideas and approaches
* Strong writing and communication skills
* Hyper attention to detail
* Ability to facilitate meetings with internal and external stakeholders
* Ability to prepare reports, presentations and recommendations based on a high volume of data #LI-CE1