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're 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.

Position

Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs, the Chinese Mainland  

Reports to

SVP, Chief Communications Officer

Location

Shanghai

About this team

The Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs will lead lululemon's comprehensive communications strategy in the Chinese Mainland market, overseeing internal, corporate, and executive communications.  

This strategic leadership role will report directly to the SVP, Chief Communications Officer for lululemon, with a dotted line to the Managing Director for the Chinse Mainland. The successful candidate will shape and amplify lululemon's unique narrative in the region, helping support the company’s growth in the region and showcase our distinctive culture, purpose, and wellbeing focus.   

This leader will manage both proactive storytelling and reactive communications across the diverse media landscape in the Chinese Mainland — including state-owned and general media, top-tier business and financial outlets, influential trade and industry publications, and will lead the development and execution of internal communications programs that engage employes and connect them with company leaders. 

The Director will liaise closely with the Leadership Team in the region, the Brand Marketing team, and with leaders and team members across the broader communications organization, building strong internal partnerships and using influence to enable alignment, shared storytelling, and effective execution 

This role will be responsible for driving forward the company narrative for lululemon in the Chinese Mainland with respect to business initiatives and milestones, with the goal of enhancing the company’s reputation and long-term success.    

Core responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership 

- Develop and execute a comprehensive corporate communications strategy for lululemon in the Chinese Mainland that supports regional business needs and aligns with global organizational priorities. 

- Build and develop a high performing team that delivers exceptional work whilst staying true to our shared values. 

- Proactively identify and leverage opportunities to strengthen lululemon's corporate reputation in the region. 

- Collaborate in close partnership with the Brand Marketing team to amplify stories that drives both visibility and reach of the brand in the region.  

- Partners with the regional business leadership to ensure communications plans support business and growth objectives. 

Corporate Communications 

- Drive and lead proactive media relations that highlight lululemon's corporate initiatives, supporting our advocacy for Wellbeing and delivering on our leadership position in product excellence and innovation. 

- Support business executives, including members of the company’s Senior Leadership Team and the regional  Leadership Team, in identifying, preparing and successfully engaging in media opportunities. 

- Drive the effective management of our agency relationships to deliver compelling corporate content, including proactive risk mitigation strategies and plans that protects our reputation in the market in the Chinese Mainland. 

- Partner with government relations to support government media opportunities and interviews. 

- Manage issues and crisis communications, providing strategic counsel to regional and global leaders and overseeing the tactical execution of the necessary communications plans. 

-Develop and implement communications plans for business announcements, leadership changes, and community events. 

-Build and maintain relationships with key business journalists, influencers, and media outlets in the region. 

Internal Communications 

- Create and execute effective internal communications strategies that convey the company’s regional and global business strategies, and connects employees with company leaders. 

- Lead the strategic execution on ongoing and effective internal communications that inspire employees, and highlight notable business and human-interest stories to key audiences. 

- Partner closely with the People & Culture leaders to develop and execute communications strategies that engage employees and reinforce the company’s culture. 

- Lead change management communications for organizational initiatives. 

- 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  business leaders and regional executive team in the Chinese Mainland for internal and external speaking opportunities, forums, and panels, including the regional internal Town Halls. 

- 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. 

- Manage agencies and consultants who bring specialized expertise to executive communications management. 

Corporate Narrative Development 

- Elevate lululemon's corporate narrative and business strategy in ways that resonate with audiences in the Chinese Mainland to raise the profile of lululemon and build confidence in the company’s growth strategies in the region, in partnership with the Government affairs teams where applicable.  

- Partners closely with Brand PR, Social and Events teams to raise awareness of the company’s social impact and sustainability initiatives. 

- 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. 

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. 

- Proven track record and ability to build strong relationships with executives, peers, and cross-functional partners, at all levels. 

- Natural leader and mentor to others, and experience managing and leading others. 

- Experience working in multinational organizations with matrix reporting structures. 

- Strong understanding of the market and media landscape in the Chinese Mainland 

- Demonstrated success in managing communications for international brands in the region. 

- Excellent in Mandarin and English (written and verbal) a plus. 

- Demonstrates strong strategic thinking and planning capabilities. 

- Excellent writing and editing skills across various formats and audiences. 

- Crisis communications experience and sound judgment under pressure. 

- Understanding of digital and social media platforms relevant to the market in the Chinese Mainland. 

- Cultural sensitivity and ability to adapt global messaging for local relevance. 

Must haves

- Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility for your life.

- Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovate to achieve great results. 

- Communicate with honesty and kindness and create the space for others to do the same. 

- Lead with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure. 

- Foster connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships. 

- Integrate fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn’t take yourself too seriously. 

Additional notes

Authorization to work in China is required 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. As part of our total rewards offering, you will receive competitive base pay and permanent employees in this position may be eligible for our annual bonus program and equity offerings, 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:

Supplement health and dental benefits, and mental health plans

Paid time off

Savings plan matching - Employee Stock Purchase Plan

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

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

#LI-SF1Onsite 

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