Director, Public Relations & Communications - Champagne & Sparkling

Moët Hennessy, the Wines and Spirits Division of LVMH, regroups twenty-five Maisons, many of which have been around for centuries, while others are just starting their journey. Our vision is to lead the future of luxury Wines and Spirits from nature to communities.

Located in the most prestigious terroirs around the world, we have unique savoir-faire from winemaking to art de vivre, hospitality, and brick-and-clicks retail management to craft exceptional experiences for consumers. For many years, with the ambition to pass on a better world to future generations, we have been committed to the Living Soils Living Together program structured around four key commitments: Regenerating our Soils, Mitigating our Climate Impact, Engaging society, and Empowering our People.

Moët Hennessy is proud to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive working environment for all. As an employer, Moët Hennessy offers unique journeys throughout its global ecosystem, opportunities to develop new skills and grow professionally.

The Director, Public Relations & Communications - Champagne & Sparkling at Moët Hennessy USA is responsible for directing all Public Relations & Communications across Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, Krug, Dom Pérignon and Chandon in partnership with the Senior Director, Public Relations & Communications. And will closely collaborate with the Media Partnership Director to generate exceptional earned media outcomes. The Director, Public Relations & Communications Director is responsible for communications strategy, press, celebrity, tastemaker, influencer engagement, and PR activations across all brands. The Director, Public Relations & Communications will seamlessly orchestrate media partnership, PR, celebrity, and influence to deliver outstanding earned media outcomes, elevating and protecting our heritage brands.

Marketing & Communications:

• Contribute to the annual brand planning process.
• Collaborate with Brand Teams, Consumer & Digital Engagement and PR & Communications to deliver stellar earned media outcomes.
• Contribute to planning and manage each brand’s PR & Communications budget, in partnership with Brand Teams.
• Develop a robust, thoughtful PR plan for each brand overall and impactful plans for their “big bets”.
• Take a portfolio lens to refine our brand communication strategies, ensuring each brand shows up with distinction.
• Educate and guide internal stakeholders and agency partners to ensure they have a deep understanding of our brands.
• Set robust KPI’s in collaboration with Senior Director, brand team and the agency partners.
• Instill continuous improvement through post implementation reviews for “big bet” activations.
  
  

Media Relations:

• Collaborate with Media Partnership Director and agencies to cultivate and manage relationships with media.
• Lead fielding media enquiries to determine best spokesperson and response, including interview preparation.
• Drive national and market specific coverage outcomes at times partnering with local market teams.
• Lead development and refinement of existing press materials with your team and agency partners (press releases, Q&A, scripts).
• Monitor and analyze media coverage and communication efforts, providing insights and recommendations for improvement.
  
  

Celebrity & Influence:

• Inspire Celebrity & Influencer Team vision.
• Develop portfolio wide talent relations strategy spanning across film, television, music, fashion, art, gastronomy, sports, and culture to best embody brand specific values and messages.
• Ensure Celebrity & Influencer team develop and maintain relationships with existing and new friends of the brand, talent publicists, agents, manager, and talent agencies.
• Generate innovative and creative earned media exposure through Celebrity, VIP, and Influencer relationships.
• Conduct ongoing cultural research and sharing thought leadership.
  
  

Relationship Management:

• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships, across the Champagne & Sparkling team locally and at Maison.
• Manage relationships with Consumer Engagement, PR & Communications teammates, COE team, Corporate Communications, Winemakers, Finance, Legal, to smoothly deliver earned results in support of brand priorities and objectives.
• Partner closely with Media Partnership Director to ensure shared vision for outcomes and maximize storytelling opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key editors, celebrities, tastemakers, and influencers.
• Build and maintain successful relationships with agency and other external stakeholders.
  
  

Issues and Crisis Management:

• Develop issues preparedness communication plans when required and support the Head of Public Relations & Communications to protect the brand reputation.
• Ensure that all proposed media partnership activities and collaboration comply with legal and ethical standards, LVMH Code of Conduct and including intellectual property rights, data privacy, and regulatory requirements.
  
  

Leadership

• Provide current and evolving earned media landscape and cultural insights research thought leadership.
• Effectively communicate PR & Communications plans, objectives, and results to stakeholders at all levels.
• Support the development and evolution of collaborative ways of working across the newly formed Champagne & Sparkling team.
• Collaborate seamlessly with colleagues and ensure connection and teamwork is a priority.
• Mentor other team members within the PR & Communications team and beyond to imbed a media savvy mindset.
• Counsel junior members of the team to effectively work with the media and develop their skill sets.
• Identify training and development opportunities to enhance the team's skills and expertise.
  
  

Education

Bachelor’s degree required, MBA or degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field.

Professional Experience

10+ years in PR, corporate communications, or a related role, in house or agency preferably in the luxury consumer goods, lifestyle, CPG or U.S. wines and spirits industries.

Practical/Technical Knowledge

• Demonstrated history of developing strategic PR & Communications plans delivering impactful results.
• History of delivering PR outcomes through celebrity, tastemaker and influencer partnerships and relations.
• Understanding of brand strategy and application in a PR & Communications context.
• Solid knowledge of/pulse on cultural trends, particularly influencing luxury sectors (i.e., fashion, jewelry, beauty, art, gastronomy).
• Deep understanding of earned media landscape, media platforms and media industry trends and dynamics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with impeccable mindfulness.
• Ability to capture the unique tone of voice of each brand across a portfolio.
• Exceptional relationship building and presentation skills.
• Several close relationships with top-tier lifestyle media at the national level and a history of successful placements.
• Demonstrated success influencing cross-functional stakeholders, including senior leaders.
• Ability to effectively balance and prioritize multiple priorities and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Results-oriented mindset with a focus on driving business growth.
• Possess an elevated taste level and an understanding of luxury brand positioning and execution.
• Issues and crisis management understanding and experience with ability to manage high-pressure situations.
• Budget management and financial analysis experience.
• Understanding of the U.S. three-tier distribution system, a plus.
  
  

External applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Moët Hennessy USA, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Moët Hennessy USA, Inc. considers candidates without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.