Director of Communications

Responsibilities

• Communications Strategy and Visibility Planning: Define the global communications strategy with the VP Brand, in line with Maison priorities. Translate brand ambition, product priorities and cultural initiatives into clear communications plans. Identify which launches, collaborations, events and institutional moments call for strong press, influence or reputation support. Build visibility plans that serve both immediate launch needs and the Maison’s long-term positioning.
• Press, Influence and Cultural Authority: Lead press and influence strategy across priority initiatives, cultural moments and Maison storytelling. Build and nurture a selective network of editors, journalists, VIPs, collectors, tastemakers, cultural figures and creators who extend Assouline’s presence in the right circles. Define press angles, spokesperson opportunities, talent and celebrity targets, and visibility channels for each initiative. Strengthen Assouline’s place in the conversations that matter to the Maison: culture, design, luxury, travel, interiors, art and lifestyle.
• Launches, Campaigns and Maison Moments: Develop communications plans for priority books, objects, collections, collaborations, campaigns and events. Partner with Marketing on narratives, audiences and timing, and with Image & Creative Studio to anticipate press and influence assets early. Shape the communications dimension of events with Events & Experiences, from media moments and guest considerations to photography and post-event amplification. Ensure every plan is clearly timed and integrated into the Master Brand Calendar.
• Messaging, Narrative and Reputation: Own external messaging frameworks, including press materials, talking points, statements, biographies, boilerplates and executive messaging. Keep Maison narratives clear and consistent, adapted thoughtfully to each audience, market and context. Manage reputation-sensitive communications with judgment, discretion and senior alignment. Support the amplification of editorial platforms such as podcasts, cultural content and recurring storytelling initiatives.
• Markets, Partners and Client Books: Support market and partner needs where press, influence or external visibility is required. Provide communications input for client book projects, clarifying press angles, visibility commitments and external messaging. Ensure every communications commitment is realistic, clearly documented and aligned with Maison standards.
• Team, Budget and Reporting: Lead and develop the Communications team, setting clear priorities, workload visibility and delivery standards. Manage communications budget planning and tracking with the VP Brand, and recommend investment across press, influence, agencies and external partners. Anticipate capability or regional coverage needs as the Maison grows, and recommend how best to support them. Track performance across coverage, influence, message pull-through and brand impact, and turn each recap into stronger future work.

Requirements

• Significant experience leading communications, PR, influence or cultural visibility strategy in a luxury, design, publishing, fashion, hospitality or lifestyle environment.
• A strong network of press, media, tastemakers and cultural figures relevant to Assouline’s world.
• Proven experience leading communications around launches, collaborations, events, partnerships and reputation-sensitive topics.
• Excellent writing and editorial judgment, with the ability to craft clear, elegant messaging for every audience.
• Experience managing teams, agencies, budgets and external partners.
• A clear understanding of how communications connects with marketing, image, events, digital, retail, wholesale, e-commerce and partnerships.
• The ability to make thoughtful trade-offs between visibility, selectivity, budget, timing and brand standards.
• A deep sensitivity to Maison codes, cultural relevance, client perception and the standards of luxury execution.