Overview:
This role is responsible for the strategy of the communications and marketing function for Comme des Garcons & Dover Street Market, Americas.
You will be responsible for partnering with our VP to bring the vision of our founder and CEO to life through strategic planning. You know how to clarify a brand message and distribute it across a vast audience. You are a strong communicator and comfortable with being the point of contact for multiple key partners. You thrive in fast-paced, ever-changing environments, and aren’t afraid to take initiative and run projects with varying levels of direction. You are curious and are willing to take risks and think differently.
This role manages and requires expertise in conceiving marketing plans that encompass campaign ideation, advertising, influencer/VIP engagements, events, digital and social activations, securing key stories and placements with leading media, business development and managing all external-facing touchpoints for the brand (including shows, showrooms, etc).
In addition, it requires excellent relationships and a vast network across fashion, design, art, and culture. Building teams and community, mentorship, and implementing external DE&I best practices are paramount to this role, as well as the ability to deliver to deadlines at a vigorous and exciting pace for a world renown fashion and retail institution.
Key Objectives:
- To grow CDG’s & DSM’s brand awareness and presence meaningfully, while contributing positively to the company sales across all channels
- Establish CDG & DSM as leaders in the community with an emphasis on the best client experiences and external relations
- Leverage marketing strategies to bring element of human touch and personal connections to our existing clients as well as attracting new clients YoY
- Develop and employ 360-degree communications strategies to effectively promote the products of CDG & DSM Brands
- Ideate, concept and execute compelling press and marketing campaigns, activations, events and partnerships
- Lead and develop press, VIP and marketing team; create a collaborative and supportive department
Key Responsibilities:
- Head of all Communications and Marketing for CDG, DSMNY/DSMLA & DSM E-Shop
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the department. Represent and negotiate the team’s strategic initiatives to other departments, and collaborative partners
- Drive sales through CDG brand, DSM brands product, and store image / awareness
- Develop and execute website marketing plans
- Prioritize client experience, VIP, industry, media and community relationships in all work and interactions
- Drive energy and develop clear presence for our internal teams to inspire and motivate keeping them abreast of all our on-goings and activations
- Concept and develop marketing and digital communication strategies for all key moments and launches in the CDG/DSM calendar, inclusive of press, social media, image/asset generation, seeding and gifting approach
- Clearly lay out and strategize both short and long term ROI on all activations
- Lead energy creation in partnership with VP, Merchandising, Buying and Special Projects teams, as it relates to key yearly pulse points: events ideation, partner activations and programming
- Strategic planning and critical path for the department
- Work alongside Retail Director in execution and project management of all events: staffing, menu generation, vendor coordination, talent management, day-of execution, post-event reporting
- Liaise with Tokyo and Paris teams on show production, and oversee all USA press outreach and relationships. Partner with VIP team on client show attendance
- Manage and develop team; handle all performance reviews and recruiting
- Budget oversight and cost containment – departmental expenses; event budgets; deliveries, shipping and logistics, departmental supplies; subscriptions and programs; metrics software; hourly employees; gifting
Skills:
- 7+ years experience in Press, Marketing or related role
- Strong knowledge of fashion both luxury and streetwear, art, design, lifestyle and media landscapes
- Excellent interpersonal skills and presentations; confidently recognize, interface and collaborate with key members of the print and digital press, social media teams, influencers, VIP and leaders of cultural institutions
- Extensive experience in planning, pitching and executing strategies across press, marketing, events and VIP activations
- Experience interfacing with international offices, both in-house and those of partner brands. Partner with department heads, VIP and store team to ensure strong cooperation and a seamless multi-channel experience for customers
- Excellent organizational, written and verbal skills; must be comfortable with deadline-driven tasks, multi-tasking and troubleshooting problem cases
- Strong interest in and cultivation of industry knowledge, social media and community movements
- Should view DE&I as an integral part of their approach to work
Attitude:
- A highly motivated individual with a strong sense of ownership and responsibility, and the ability to galvanize teams and partners to action
- Must be energetic, self-motivated and collaborative in nature. Willing to do whatever is required to get the job done
- Decisive, structured, dedicated and organized, with a keen eye for detail
- Excellent at working and delivering against deadlines, thinking proactively and working reactively with the ability to meet goals under pressure
- Possesses a passion for and sensitivity towards culture and community; sees engagement as a powerful force for storytelling
