Department: Communications

Reports to: Communications Director

Direct Reports: Press Coordinator

Location: New York, NY

Schedule: Full-Time Hybrid; onsite 3 days

Salary Range: $115,000 - $130,000 per annum

Our Values

• Every day the energy, creativity and passion of Manolo permeates through our business.
• We believe in the artist and the artisan; we are innovative while still protecting our heritage.
• We strive for timeless beauty and quality craftmanship.
• We celebrate curiosity and believe in working proactively and being solution focused.
• We believe in upholding family values; we treat everyone with honesty, respect and kindness while nurturing our teams to deliver excellence.
• We believe in making people smile.

Purpose

The Communications Manager will ensure the smooth and efficient running of our busy press office, managing and oversee all elements of samples and gifting and their respective budgets, product placement, and celebrity outreach, as well as acting as a brand ambassador to build and maintain solid industry relationships with senior press and influencers. Working closely with Communications, Retail, Commercial, Product Development and Wholesale teams, this role will drive best-in-class delivery across press, marketing, seasonal launches and special projects.

This role will support the Communications Director in the development and delivery of events and activations in all US markets. This position will require exceptional project management, stakeholder management and the ability to lead cross-functional projects with confidence. The role will also support team development, ensuring clear direction, high standards and continued growth.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Communications Director to implement a national communications strategy across press, VIP, marketing, partnerships and events, ensuring alignment with brand objectives and commercial priorities
• Develop and follow a multi-channel editorial strategy, identifying purpose and objectives for each platform
• Develop the seasonal press stories and pitches, and trade and consumer press releases
• Increase seasonal press coverage and feature placement opportunities
• Build excellent relationships with editors, fashion directors, and key industry influencers
• Continue to support the growth of the men’s business by strengthening relationships with men’s VIPs and media
• Strategically plan and pitch press editorial around all brand events, new store openings and standalone ideas such as collaborations and one-off projects
• Identify opportunities to leverage brand heritage through storytelling, content, events, partnerships and collateral
• Work closely with the Director in the planning of events, activations and special launches
• Partner with Retail, Commercial and Wholesale teams to ensure each function has the relevant seasonal assets, brand marketing materials, selling tools and campaign support required to drive performance
• Build strong internal relationships across departments including Communications headquarter team, Commercial, Retail, Wholesale, Merchandising, Product Development, Legal and Finance
• Identify key trends and opportunities in celebrity dressing, fashion week partnerships, events, consumer trends and cultural moments that can inform the communications calendar
• Responsible for monitoring and reporting on statistics, rankings and ROI on editorial, VIP, social, special projects, and collaborations
• Oversee reporting for global head office
• Oversee and manage Fashion GPS with the PR Coordinator, ensuring all shoot requests are responded to
• Manage and secure national and regional coverage in print publications, newspapers and key digital (local Miami, PB, LA, etc.)
• Partner with Communications Director on agency briefing and management for outer market including a VIP agency in LA
• Oversee seasonal press sample orders with the Press Coordinator
• Manage sample and gifting portion of the department budget in collaboration with the Director and Finance team
• Manage and oversee day-to-day activities of PR Coordinator, providing clear direction, support, feedback and opportunities for growth
• Support a working culture of collaboration, accountability, excellence and proactivity
• Escalate risks, challenges and opportunities to the Communications Director in a timely and solution-focused manner
• Ensure all activities are delivered to the highest standard that reflects the creativity, heritage, craftsmanship and luxury positioning of Manolo Blahnik

Skills and Experience

• At least 5 years experience in a similar role (i.e., PR Manager, Press Officer) within a luxury brand
• Ability to build relationships and network easily, both internally and externally (industry and press)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and entrepreneurial environment by being flexible and adaptable
• Curious and culturally aware, with a strong understanding of commercial and marketing trends shaping the luxury landscape
• Strong and effective communication and presentation skills and an ability to converse with a diverse range of people at all levels
• Proficient in MS Office, Adobe, Fashion GPS and DMR
• High level of finesse and excellence required in delivery of all tasks
• Passionate brand ambassador for Manolo Blahnik with an appreciation for creativity, craftsmanship, heritage and luxury

Our Benefits

• 4 pairs of shoes per year from our Ambassador program
• 50% employee discount
• Annual PTO: 20 days’ vacation, your birthday, 2 personal days, 6 sick days, 11 public holidays
• Comprehensive health, dental and vision plans
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• 2x external coaching sessions per year
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Discounted ClassPass Membership - Access to gyms, fitness studios, and wellness businesses

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Manolo Blahnik is an equal opportunity employer and are committed to preserving a caring, diverse and inclusive culture with people who feel a real sense of belonging. We recruit and reward based on capability and performance. Our diverse and multicultural teams ignite our creativity, and we celebrate the differences that we collectively bring. We are committed to equal employment and progression opportunities and the elimination of any form of discrimination. We all hold a responsibility to recognise and respect our diversity and to support this in our words and actions.

If you need reasonable adjustments at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.