Lululemon

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 Purpose and Social Impact Communications function is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy that advances and elevates lululemon’s purpose and social impact programming, builds trust and elevates leadership among internal and external audiences, and drives the company’s strategic objectives.  

As a key member of the Global Communications leadership team, the Director of Purpose and Social Impact Communications will ensure the development and execution of a strategy for and overseeing any impact-driven communications. This includes responsibility for the external narrative for the Centre for Social Impact, Government Relations, People & Culture programs and benefits, including IDEA, and other social functions across the company. 

In this newly-created role, the Director will build the function’s the strategic framework, communicating this framework with internal partners across the organization, overseeing key Purpose and Social Impact communications activities, identifying key partnerships to leverage inside and outside of the organization, and supporting global projects across all communications functions.  

The Director will report to the SVP, Chief Communications Officer, and work closely with members of the SLT. 

Your responsibilities 

• Create the communications strategy for purpose communications, maintaining oversight for existing programs. Stitch together the many initiatives, programs and existing campaigns around social impact and purpose that exist across the organization, driving both Global Communications-led initiatives and leading communications for initiatives outside of the communications team.
• Identify trends in the marketplace and internal opportunities to build thought leadership in this space.
• Conceive of and conceptualize campaigns related to purpose-driven communications; identify internal and external partnerships to leverage these campaigns.
• Develop messaging and positioning for all purpose communications and programs.
• Develop metrics and KPIs to measure ROI for all initiatives.
• Partner with the Centre for Social Impact and design impactful communications to amplify their programming. Support programs with community outreach programming, strategic campaign planning, and content development.
• Partner with People & Culture in the development of external communications highlighting social impact and purpose-related programs and benefits, including IDEA.
• Partner with Government Relations to raise its thought leadership profile across external audiences.

• Partner with lululemon’s senior leaders, including the SLT, to shape broader narratives that demonstrate, highlight and reinforce 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.
• Manage and mentor team members, providing guidance for purpose and social impact communications and communications operations including message development, strategic planning, and leadership operations.
• Collaborate with the Global Communications Leadership Team to align efforts and identify social impact communications opportunities that enhance and strengthen the company’s reputation and industry leadership position.
• Cultivate and strengthen meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences.
• Strategically position lululemon as an industry leader among targeted external audiences to enhance the company’s reputation.
• Identify ways to deepen employee pride, satisfaction, and awareness regarding our commitment to living our values and reinforcing the strength of lululemon. 
• Develop and implement a process to evaluate and engage in executive speaking opportunities that will enhance our company’s positioning with shareholders, media, employees, and guests.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or a related field. 
• Record of success developing CSR and social impact programs.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible, professional experience in public affairs communications and within a government agency, trade association or advocacy organization.
• Experience working with directly with reporters, political entities, volunteers, the media, and coalitions
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with a strong understanding of messaging and reputation management.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Success at collaborating with diverse groups of people and working effectively as part of a team.
• Previous experience with crisis communications and rapid response.

• Ability to set priorities in a multi-tasking environment.
• Experience leading a complex issues management function and process.
• Results-oriented, self-directed, inquisitive, and entrepreneurial-minded.
• Ability to quickly adjust to unforeseen changes.