Job Description

Company Description

SSENSE is a global technology platform operating at the intersection of culture, community, and commerce. Headquartered in Montreal, it features a mix of established and emerging luxury brands across womenswear, menswear, kidswear, and Everything Else\xe2\x84\xa2. SSENSE has garnered critical acclaim as both an e-commerce engine and a producer of cultural content, generating an average of 100 million monthly page views, and achieving high double digit annual growth and profitability since its inception.



SSENSE is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Director, Communications to report directly to the Chief Customer Officer, to further position SSENSE as an undeniable driving force in fashion and culture and implement strategic roadmaps that will amplify the voices that are challenging conventions and changing the way we see the world. The Senior Director of Communications will have two core areas of responsibility: Brand and Corporate Communications. The Executive is deeply familiar with SSENSE and has demonstrated success in driving impact across the Communications portfolio. They will lead a team of experts, collaborating with external partners and cross departmentally within SSENSE to drive strategic priorities. Since this is a rapidly changing environment, passion, resilience and a team-orientation are critical in this role.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Brand Communications

• Partner with Executive Leadership to develop and implement the overarching company PR strategy to ensure that SSENSE attains expanded coverage in key markets
• Recruit and oversee global agencies in alignment with the company PR strategy
• Oversee the creation of PR go-to-market strategies as required to achieve brand awareness and top-line goals, in collaboration with partners across the business
• Coach Executive leadership to align on key messaging for press and influencer events to enhance corporate reputation
• Successfully drive reputation management communications and mitigate risk to minimize any negative impact to the perception of the business, in partnership with Executive Leadership and external consultants

Corporate Communications

• Analyze the current situation of internal communications and crystalize a framework to ensure consistent and comprehensive messaging that resonates across all employee groups spanning multiple locations and geographies, ensuring a consistent employee experience and connection to the SSENSE culture
• Develop and implement a strategic internal communications program, with a focus on employee engagement and purpose, along with identifying and leveraging opportunities to celebrate success, educate teams, and share brand news internally
• Formalize and educate leadership on internal communications philosophies, policies and processes
• Identify new communication needs related to the growth of operations as well as to the launch of key priorities within the fulfillment centre and business at large
• Amplify executive thought leadership by building out a holistic speaking engagement calendar and editing executive communications

Operations

• Oversee the management of the Communications budget, keeping in line with the overall Customer team budget
• Oversee the Brand and Corporate Communications calendar to ensure planning and alignment across the business
• Launch key initiatives across the business so departments can integrate them strategically and actively participate
• Build internal capabilities and drive continuous improvement in Brand and Corporate Communications by working through the teams to optimize tools and processes
• Ensure SSENSE brand consistency and accuracy across mediums and platforms internally and externally
• Hold overall responsibility for ensuring all projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to SSENSE standards
• Anticipate and resolve any bottlenecks or barriers for project progression and complete post mortems that result in enhanced processes and team collaboration

People Leadership & Development

• Establish top line annual objectives for Brand and Corporate Communications, ensuring teams are engaged towards achieving the department\'s missions in partnership with the Chief Customer Officer
• Identify current and future gaps within the team/department structure and partner with the Chief Customer Officer on resource planning
• Build a performance-driven culture across the department which proactively builds and promotes a culture that is underpinned by principles of inclusiveness, openness and respect
• Ensure team mobilization by regularly gauging team engagement and implementing appropriate means to create a transparent, collaborative and productive work environment
• Lead, manage and mentor a highly skilled, highly creative, interdisciplinary team
• Work with Talent Acquisition Partners to ensure hiring targets are being met
• Hold weekly one-on-ones, conduct performance reviews, analyze individual KPIs and assess promotion readiness to help each contributor evolve in their roles
• Take ownership of teams\' development and build a strong bench of potential successors

Qualifications

• A minimum of 12+ years experience in Communications, preferably in PR, Corporate, Internal Communications,
• A minimum of 10 years in a management position with direct reports
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills in both English and French, with additional languages an asset
• Established network and industry related contacts
• Experience in crisis management, media training and coaching
• Proven leadership experience in a collaborative and diverse workplace
• Experience within the field of CSR and EDI is considered an asset
• Experience working across several global markets

SKILLS

• Strong business acumen and ability to successfully operationalize change
• Transparent and open communicator and decision maker that creates a safe space to express opposing views and promotes challenging the status quo
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a diverse team that will be geographically dispersed
• Superior project management skills with excellent attention to detail
• Collaborative and agile problem solver who can efficiently navigate ambiguity
• Strong ability to make weighted and thoughtful decisions in a timely manner
• Strong interpersonal skills with a natural ability to build relationships
• Highly analytical with a strong understanding of financial modelling
• Entrepreneurial mindset with an aptitude to move multiple projects forward
• Adaptable and able to receive and apply feedback swiftly
• Unwavering personal integrity, credibility, and professionalism
• Willingness to travel and ability to adapt to different cultures
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire
• Ability to multi-task and excel under pressure

Ssense