VP, External Communications

Sephora•New York, NY

6d•$265,000 - $300,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As Vice President of External Communications, you’ll lead earned media, corporate storytelling, executive visibility, and reputational communications strategies for Sephora US. You will shape how Sephora shows up in culture and in the media, driving awareness, trust, and relevance among key external audiences while helping protect and strengthen the brand’s reputation. You’ll be part of a team that’s united in beauty, supported by those who are equally passionate about making the beauty world feel like it’s theirs.

Requirements

15+ years of leadership experience in external communications, public relations, corporate communications, or related fields; retail, consumer, beauty, or agency experience preferred.
Strong experience leading earned media strategy, executive visibility, thought leadership, and reputation management programs.
Demonstrated success advising senior executives and presenting recommendations with clarity and confidence in high-visibility settings.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong editorial judgment and message development capabilities.
Experience navigating complex, fast-moving issues with sound judgment, discretion, and a calm, solutions-oriented approach.
Strong media relationships and a nuanced understanding of the evolving media, creator, and cultural landscape.
Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities across a highly matrixed organization.
Creative, strategic thinker with a proactive mindset and a roll-up-your-sleeves approach.
Personable and flexible with demands and changes in an extremely fast-moving and highly matrixed business environment.

Responsibilities

Lead the Sephora US external communications strategy across earned media, corporate communications, executive communications, and reputation management.
Develop integrated communications plans that support business priorities, key launches, cultural moments, and corporate initiatives, highlighting Sephora’s brand purpose, leadership, and impact in the beauty industry.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and spokespeople, shaping messaging, media strategy, and external positioning.
Build and maintain strong relationships with media, industry influencers, brand and group leaders and external partners to elevate Sephora’s voice and visibility.
Identify opportunities for thought leadership, executive visibility, and industry participation that strengthen Sephora’s reputation and influence.
Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing external communications team of approximately 10, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence.
Manage agency partners and oversee the annual external communications budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources to maximize impact and efficiency.
Oversee issues management and crisis communications planning, ensuring clear, timely, and aligned responses to reputational matters.
Partner cross-functionally with marketing, legal, internal communications, HR, retail, executive leadership and global business teams to ensure consistency across external messaging.
Measure communications impact through media coverage, sentiment, share of voice, and qualitative business outcomes, using insights to optimize strategy.
Build reciprocal partnerships cross-functionally in a highly matrixed organization.

Benefits

medical, dental, and vision coverage
disability and life insurance
401k with 4% match
FSA and HSA programs
Student Debt Retirement plan
PTO
flexibility
protected leave
access to training, development, and tuition reimbursement
30% discount on all merchandise/services
opportunities for free product or “gratis”
flash sale discounts on LVMH brand products
free mental health and financial coaching resources with 24/7 access to Modern Health and Financial Finesse
volunteer and donation matching