Head of Communications

Mulberry; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Established in Somerset in 1971, Mulberry has grown to be the largest maker of luxury leather goods in the United Kingdom. With a contemporary take on British heritage and a focus on responsible craft, our ambition is to create progressive luxury.

Sustainability has been part of the Mulberry ethos since the brand's inception. In recognition of our purpose-driven approach, in 2024 we proudly achieved B Corp Certification.

Today, we are a global brand, but our values remain the same; we are committed to improving our impact on people and the planet. If these are values you share, we would love you to join our team.

The Role:

As the Global Head of Communications, you will represent and champion Mulberry’s new strategy – Back to the Mulberry Spirit – which will see the brand returning to its original values & proposition. Based in Mulberry’s Kensington HQ, the role's primary focus is the UK, EU & US whilst also providing strategic guidance and support to local marketing teams in China, South Korea, and Japan. You will be responsible for implementing the 360 global communication strategy encompassing PR, Events, and Talent, to ensure a consistent global strategy and brand voice across the markets.

This role is offered as a maternity cover contract. The successful candidate will be required to work 3 days per week from our office in Kensington and up to 2 days per week from home.

Duties and Responsibilities:

PR:

1. Develop strategic 360° global communication plans that ensure a consistent brand voice across the markets.
2. Achieve strong editorial coverage in line with the annual objectives.
3. Devise and work with the team to execute targeted communications plans for the launch of key projects, product launches, brand events, and collaborations.
4. Oversee an effective and creative product placement strategy.
5. Support the team to identify and map key target media for Mulberry across the relevant markets.
6. Responsible for overall story and feature placements.
7. Work with the team to evaluate and manage media requests for interviews.
8. Analyse and improve on editorial output achieved each season in qualitative and quantitative terms.
9. Oversee the creation of press kits, press releases, and other seasonal documents.
10. Work closely with the local markets (including marketing & communications managers and communications agencies) to devise targeted communications plans for the launch of key projects, collaborations, product launches, and brand events in key markets.
11. Oversee the execution of agreed strategy, supporting the local teams to generate positive editorial coverage across features, news, and product stories.
12. Build and maintain a relevant community around Mulberry and help to foster meaningful relationships with key figures in media and creative worlds.
13. Stay ahead of key industry news and updates as well as competitor activity and share developments across departments.
14. Advise the Global Director of Marketing and Communications and wider Executive Committee on interesting developments, movements, new trends, and new directions within the Global media landscape.
15. Advise on interesting opportunities and moments for Mulberry to be part of relevant conversations.
16. Foster strong internal communication with all areas of the business including creative studio, marketing, product management, buying & merchandising, and retail to support business objectives.
17. Oversee reports for timely distribution across the business.

Events:

1. Be responsible for the successful end-to-end project management & delivery of the Event Calendar including brand moments and activities related to seasonal collection launch.
2. Work closely with key internal business stakeholders to define the Global Events strategy.
3. Oversee guest lists for events and ensure appropriate editor & KOL attendance at targeted events; including overseas events, brand moments, and press days.
4. Attend key press and KOL trips where relevant, overseeing all aspects of the trip and ensuring the brand’s objectives are delivered.
5. Find interesting Partner events and opportunities linked to Mulberry’s strategy & objectives e.g. speaking opportunities for ExCo members.
6. Develop and maintain strong 3rd party relationships.
7. Plan activity with target ROI in mind and measure and report on success post-event.

Talent:

1. Drive a successful VIP, talent, and influencer strategy ensuring the brand vision and identity is reinforced and global brand awareness is increased.
2. Work with key internal stakeholders to constantly refine the global influencer and talent strategy, in line with the broader business' brand & commercial goals.
3. Oversee all aspects of brand talent relationships from initial contract negotiation, product placement, talent appearances, editorial talent placements, and social media activity, as well as all operational & logistical support.
4. Work with Global Event and Talent Manager on product placement of hero product on brand-appropriate talent and influencers.
5. Manage relevant budgets and ensure that all event, talent, and press activities are delivered in line with this.
6. Support and mentor direct reports to aid their learning and growth.

Culture:

1. Embrace and demonstrate the Mulberry values and behaviours: honesty, dynamism, and a community-oriented spirit.
2. Support Mulberry to deliver an inclusive culture, through behaving in a way that is open-minded and respectful towards others, and understanding that your views, opinions, and experiences may not always be shared by your colleagues.
3. Act as an ambassador for Mulberry and communicate positively about the brand.

Sustainability:

1. As a certified B Corp business, it is important to incorporate environmentally responsible practices into your work wherever possible. Support the businesses ‘Five C’s’ strategy in addressing and improving Climate, Cultivation, Craft, Culture, and Circularity. Promote a greener, more sustainable future.
2. Support to foster an environment where diversity is embraced and all individuals feel valued, respected, and included. Promote equity, empathy, and understanding and demonstrate this commitment within your internal and external communities.

Skills and Experience Required:

1. Minimum ten years' experience of working in a similar level role on luxury/premium fashion or lifestyle brands, ideally gained both in-house and at an agency, and able to demonstrate senior level UK fashion press and industry contacts.
2. Strong sustainability comms is beneficial.
3. Excellent written and verbal English.
4. Excellent team management skills.
5. Ability to effectively challenge and influence both internal and external teams.
6. A truly collaborative team player, able to work across multiple departments with differing objectives, whilst championing and delivering best practice and innovation across the business.
7. Confident with multi-tasking, working to tight deadlines and troubleshooting under pressure.
8. Well-organised and efficient with strong planning and prioritising capabilities and the ability to work to multiple, competing deadlines.
9. Proficient in Microsoft Office – Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
10. Good knowledge of Launchmetrics, DMR, Fashion Monitor.
11. Interest and current knowledge of wider culture.

Mulberry is an equal opportunities employer and we are passionate about hiring and developing the best talent. All hiring decisions are made only on the basis of qualifications, skills, or experience and as they relate to the particular role. If you need us to make any adjustments to our application or interview processes to enable you to be at your best, please email us at [e-mail].