lululemon

Director of Communications, North America

Who We Are 

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we are in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive, and growth-focused environment for our people.

Who You Are

The Director of Communications, North America (NA) Region will lead lululemon's comprehensive communications strategy across the North America market, overseeing internal, external, and executive communications. 

This strategic leadership role will report directly to the SVP Communications, with a dotted line to the business leader for the NA Market. The successful candidate will shape and amplify lululemon's unique narrative in the region, showcasing our distinctive culture, purpose, sustainability initiatives, and wellbeing focus, while managing both proactive storytelling and reactive communications. 

The Director will liaise closely with the NA Leadership Team, the Consumer PR team in NA, other regional communications and business leaders, and many leaders across the Global Communications Function. This role will be responsible for driving forward the corporate narrative for lululemon in NA with respect to regional business implications, with the goal of sustaining the company’s growth.

Your Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Lead internal, external, executive and retail communications for the  North America region, and the Guest Education Centre, inspiring the 15K+ employees of the largest division of the company, serving as the communications advisor and coach to the leadership team of the division
• Lead a team including the Manager of Corporate Communications, Manager of Internal Communications, Manager of Guest Support, Sr. Manager of Retail Communications and Operations Manager of Guest Education Centre Communications
• Collaborate across departments to identify and leverage opportunities to strengthen lululemon's corporate reputation in NA and Globally
• Oversee Guest Education Centre communications and Store Communications for the North America region, with responsibility for all communications from Educator to Store Manager
• Partner with regional business leadership to ensure communications activities support business objectives and growth targets

External Communications

• Drive proactive media relations that showcase lululemon's corporate initiatives and community impact in the North American market; oversee the selected agency partner in the NA region
• Oversee the development of compelling corporate content for NA-focused media and digital platforms
• Build and maintain relationships with key business journalists, influencers, and media outlets in the region
• Manage issues and crisis communications, providing strategic counsel to regional and global leadership
• Develop and implement communications plans for corporate announcements, leadership changes, and community events

Internal Communications

• Create and execute effective internal communications strategies that connect employees to lululemon's purpose, culture, and business objectives
• Ensure timely and appropriate information flow between the Global Communications and the NA teams
• Lead change management communications for organizational initiatives
• Develop executive communications that effectively position lululemon local leadership with internal and external audiences
• Prepare a local communications plan for Global Leadership during appropriate site visits and in person meetings

Executive Communications

• Serve as strategic communications advisor to the NA business leader and regional executive team
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and presentations for leadership appearances and engagements
• Manage executive visibility opportunities that advance business priorities
• Support executive engagement with employees, media, and other key stakeholders

Corporate Narrative Development

• Elevate lululemon's corporate narrative and business strategy in ways that resonate with our core audiences
• Highlight lululemon's organizational culture, purpose, sustainability initiatives, and wellbeing focus through authentic storytelling
• Identify unique regional corporate and leadership stories that can be shared across global channels
• Ensure consistency of messaging across all corporate communication channels
• Partner with lululemon’s senior leaders, including the SLT, to shape broader narratives that demonstrate and highlight the importance of values, social initiatives, and innovation in lululemon’s broader business story 
• Drive relationships with key Ambassadors - craft and develop talking points, engagement plans for key initiatives, and build an understanding of the lululemon cultures and values. Support these relationships in times of crisis
• Manage agencies and consultants who bring specialized expertise to executive communications management

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field; Advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years of progressive communications experience, with at least 5 years in leadership roles
• Experience working in multinational organizations with matrix reporting structures
• Strong understanding of the local market and media landscape
• Demonstrated success in managing communications for international brands in NA
• Strong strategic thinking and planning capabilities
• Excellent writing and editing skills across various formats and audiences
• Experience managing and developing communications teams
• Crisis communications experience and sound judgment under pressure
• Ability to build strong relationships with executives, peers, and cross-functional partners
• Understanding of digital and social media platforms relevant to the local market
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to adapt global messaging for local relevance

The Details

• Based in Vancouver
• Reports to the Senior Vice President, Chief Communications Officer, and will partner closely with the President, Americas and Global Guest Innovation, as well as the SVP, North America Retail and SVP, Brand Marketing, North America 
• Lead team of 5 people currently dedicated to communications for the North America region, with priority to further develop and build out function to support the company’s growth.

Additional Notes
Immigration support is potentially available for this role.
 

Compensation and Benefits Package 

lululemon’s compensation offerings are grounded in a pay-for-performance philosophy that recognizes exceptional individual and team performance. The typical hiring range for this position is from $157,400-$206,600 annually; the base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards offering, permanent employees in this position may be eligible for our competitive annual bonus program, subject to program eligibility requirements.   

At lululemon, investing in our people is a top priority. We believe that when life works, work works. We strive to be the place where inclusive leaders come to develop and enable all to be well. Recognizing our teams for their performance and dedication, other components of our total rewards offerings include support of career development, wellbeing, and personal growth:

• Extended health and dental benefits, and mental health plans 
• Paid time off 
• Savings and retirement plan matching 
• Generous employee discount 
• Fitness & yoga classes 
• Parenthood top-up 
• Extensive catalog of development course offerings 
• People networks, mentorship programs, and leadership series (to name a few) 

Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

Workplace arrangement

This role is classified as In Person under our SSC Workplace Policy:

In-Person

In-person collaboration and connection is important to our culture. Work is performed onsite, minimum 4 days per week.