VP Sustainability & Social Impact

Sterling JewelersIrving, Texas

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Job Description

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Signet Jewelers is the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry, operating more than 2,800 stores worldwide under the iconic brands: Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared, H.Samuel, Ernest Jones, Peoples, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Rocksbox, JamesAllen.com and Diamonds Direct. We are a people-first company and this core value is at the heart of everything we do, from empowering our valued team members, to collaborating with our customers, to fostering the communities in which we live and serve. People – and the love their actions inspire – are what drive us. We’re not only proud of the love we inspire outside our walls, we’re especially proud of the diversity, inclusion and equity we’re inspiring inside. There are dynamic career paths awaiting you – rewarding opportunities to impact the lives of others and inspire love. Join us!

The Vice President of Sustainability & Social Impact operates within the Signet Board-level Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Committee’s charter. The successful candidate will oversee a central core team, expert outside consultants when necessary, and will routinely collaborate with cross-functional environmental sustainability staff integrated into core functional areas such as facilities, procurement and operations. He/she/they will be a change-maker, able to influence and be comfortable working at all levels of the company from the Board to the front line and across all functional areas and properties, globally. There is a substantial government and trade relations agenda that comes with this role as well. Reporting to the Chief Communications & ESG Officer, the successful candidate will embrace these responsibilities:

Develop and execute strategies to reduce the environmental impacts of Signet’s buildings, operations and events, as well as its responsible sourcing initiatives.
Oversee all aspects of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) data collection, reporting and disclosure against multiple ESG frameworks including SASB, CDP, TCFD, GRI and others.
Lead Signet’s strategy for government, trade, NGO and stakeholder relations, and communications – working in close collaboration with executive and business leadership.
Initiate new environmental initiatives, integrating environmental thinking and programs into functional areas, and working with marketing, investor relations, and communications teams to communicate the Company’s extensive responsible sourcing and environmental programs to a wide array of stakeholders. This further includes:
- Driving environmentally sustainable design and development with energy, climate (including climate risk), water, materials and waste, circular economy, and environmentally preferable procurement.
- ESG reporting for mandatory disclosures (e.g., emerging SEC mandates on climate and human capital) and voluntary disclosures to help improve Signet’s performance.

Actively represent the Company’s positions on responsible sourcing, environmental programs and ESG performance to internal and external audiences. This requires significant expertise in environmental analysis, data analysis and business case development.
Manage a central budget and engage other leaders to allocate budget for environmental initiatives and ESG reporting needs.
Report to, and work in close collaboration with, the Signet Love Inspires Foundation Board to drive design, development and execution of a comprehensive development strategy for the Foundation to support its mission and goals.
Develop, recommend and administer policies, procedures, and processes in support of Foundation goals and operations, in accordance with relevant legal parameters, and implement and monitor compliance with approved policies, procedures and processes.
Oversee the Foundation’s Grant Review Committee and grant programs --ensuring that those further the Foundation’s mission and strategic goals around underserved women and children, and social change advocacy.
Provide and present statistical and narrative reports --working collaboratively with the SLIF Officers to prepare budget and financial reports to the Foundation Board and company leadership.
Support the Foundation Board and designated Board committee operations in developing agendas, related documentation and minutes for meetings.
Participate in a variety of meetings, committees, taskforces and/or other related groups to communicate information regarding the Foundation and its initiatives -- both internally and externally.

Requirements

10-15+ years of experience in external affairs and corporate communications, including experience in a global consumer, retail, or other highly-regarded communications agency.
Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic and proactive public and external affairs plans that deliver results.
Firm understanding of the issues facing the communications industry and apply this knowledge and context to Signet.
Global professional experience showing abilities to bring modern communications approaches to a results-driven organization.
Experience in the retail and consumer products industries.
Demonstrated strong writing strategic thinking and mastery of multiple PR disciplines working for a large, global company or organization. This position will be the deputy to the head of the corporate PR team and, as such, it requires someone with the skills and experience to step in for the Chief Communications Officer and lead the team.
Hands-on experience managing a highly proactive communications strategy, with a solid reputation for integrity, transparency and follow-through; and the ability to respond quickly and appropriately with a defensive communications strategy, as needed.
Demonstrated experience in positioning companies in transition/transformation working with key stakeholders, including customers, employees, the media, community leaders, and the public.
Superior leadership skills and ability to build rapport with internal stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Ability to positively motivate, lead and build consensus across corporate functions -- leveraging collaborative, adaptable and engaging leadership style.
Ability to lead with executive presence, culturally nuanced and comfortable being a spokesperson for the brands and industry.
Demonstrated abilities to translate complex business, economic, public policy, financial or technological information into clear, compelling language geared to particular audiences, from customers and policy makers to customers, investors and employees.
Travel requirements may reach 50%, including international destinations.
Excellent analytical and organizational skills, and a personal reputation for honesty, integrity and above-reproach ethics.
Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree a plus.

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