Director, Internal & Executive Communications, North America

One of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, the DECIEM family of brands (including The Ordinary and NIOD), and BALMAIN Beauty.

About the role

The Director, Internal & Executive Communications, North America will drive an integrated, forward-thinking internal communications strategy across the region, supporting business priorities and strengthening the company’s reputation amongst employees. The role will translate business priorities into clear and credible internal communications; amplify the Company's transformation and growth agenda; strengthen executive visibility; and enhance employee engagement. This role demands a sophisticated communicator who understands how to reach, engage, and inspire a diverse workforce. The role will build modern, channel-appropriate strategies that ensure employees feel informed, connected, and part of a larger mission.

Responsibilities

• Internal Communications & Employee Engagement
  • In collaboration with the region VP, develop and execute an internal communications strategy that ensures employees are informed, inspired, and connected to ELC's mission, values, and direction.
  • Lead internal communications that cover the full internal channel mix including leadership messaging, live events, digital communications (email, intranet, digital screens, etc.), and emerging platforms.
  • Stay ahead of how employees consume information; bring a modern, platform-aware mindset to the selection and use of communication tools, formats, and cadences.
  • Partner cross-functionally with HR, Legal, IR, and other regional and global Communications counterparts to ensure message alignment, consistency, and discipline across the enterprise.
  • Design and lead integrated initiatives that promote business priorities, strengthen culture, enhance retention, and celebrate contributions, in partnership with regional business leaders, HR, ID&E, Global Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability, Breast Cancer Campaign, regional ERGs, etc.
• Executive Communications
  • Strengthen executive visibility of the region’s extended leadership group through authentic communication initiatives across all channels.
  • Lead effective cascades of global, regional, and functional messages, equipping the region’s leaders with usable and timely communications materials and support.
  • Prepare executives for employee engagements and internal events. Develop executive presentations, speeches, talking points, town hall messaging, video scripts, etc.
• Story Mining & Narrative Development
  • Develop clear, insight-led narratives on key regional announcements and programs. Ideate event topics, curate content, and shape the internal dialogue.
  • Successfully parse business performance, industry, and consumer data to support key narratives, in partnership with the region’s Dir, External Corporate Comms.
• Change & Issues Management
  • Guide internal communication efforts during organizational change or sensitive people-related matters, ensuring clarity, transparency, and trust across all audiences.
  • Own the internal communications component during people-related crisis scenarios including safety incidents, workforce matters, or sensitive events.
  • Coordinate closely with External Comms, Legal, and HR to ensure aligned messaging across all internal and external audiences.
• Leadership & Project Management
  • Maintain a year-long internal communications/editorial calendar.
  • Produce internal events, including vendor sourcing and management, tech oversight, etc.
  • Standardize internal protocols, including vetting processes, people news, etc.
  • Manage a departmental budget, including planning, forecasting, vendor management, and expense tracking.
  • Measure effectiveness across channels and continuously refine the strategy based on reach, engagement, and employee feedback.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field.
• 10+ years’ experience in corporate communications, internal communications, public affairs, and/or issues management.
• Experience in beauty, wellness, personal care, retail, luxury, or other related industry preferred.
• Agency experience, a plus.
• Experience in organizational transformation and change communications.
• Experience advising senior executives in high-stakes situations.
• Ability to operate at pace, manage multiple priorities, and work effectively in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
• Proven ability to influence across a highly matrixed organization.
• Strong leadership, team management, and stakeholder management capability.
• Sound judgement and calm under pressure.

Skills

• Publishing & Collaboration (Hands-on Proficiency)
  • Microsoft Office suite, including PowerPoint (visual storytelling).
  • SharePoint (or similar intranet CMS).
  • Microsoft Teams.
  • Airtable, a plus.
• Industry Resources & Analytics
  • Familiarity with Circana, Nielsen, or similar data sets, a plus.
• Editorial & Strategic Thinking
  • Exceptional writing and editing skills with strong editorial judgment.
  • Proven ability to turn complex business topics into clear, engaging content.
  • Portfolio or work samples required (writing, editorial placements, etc.).

Schedule

Hybrid – ELC North America office in New York (4 days per week).

Pay

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $124,200.00 to $214,450.00. Exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location.

In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with the possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results, as well as participation in the share incentive plan.

Benefits

The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including:

• Health insurance coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance).
• Wellness and family support programs.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Paid leave programs.
• Education-related programs.
• Paid holidays and vacation time.
• Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.