Who We Are:
Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.
JOB MISSION:
We are seeking a Brand & Communications Manager for France to lead the development and execution of brand strategies and communications/PR initiatives. You will also work very closely with the trade marketing teams to ensure campaigns are amplified to deliver on brand and commercial impact.
This role is a blend of strategy and active execution, requiring someone who is not afraid to roll up their sleeves and take an active role in delivering on the brand and media objectives.
We are in an exciting phase of growth for the brand, and this role will be instrumental in further shaping the future of the brand and the team, enhancing presence across multiple channels and driving engagement with key audiences.
The role reports directly to the Head of Marketing, France.
MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Communications, PR, events
Work closely with the EMEA Central PR team to develop and execute PR strategies and activations.
Lead the creation of impactful communication strategies, including PR, media relations and global brand events that require local execution.
Execute and manage PR campaigns directly, managing media outreach, writing press releases, and building relationships with PR agency, media outlets and influencers.
Responsible with your team for executing global/ local events and partnerships.
Manage the creative concepting process for local initiatives such as Marathon du Mt Blanc, Marathon de Paris, Marseille Cassis, Paris Fashion week, and be integral to the delivery of its content. Working closely with the partnership team to deliver against its objectives.
Campaign Development and Execution
Plan and execute multi-channel marketing campaigns, taking ownership of project timelines, deliverables, and quality.
Omnichannel planning, including all channels like DTC Ecommerce and Retail. Ensuring all campaigns that are planned and executed include a focus on our own channels.
Collaborate with our EMEA creative studio, PR and Media agency ensuring relevant content and assets are produced for the market. Ensure all creative goes through the right approval processes, requiring thoughtful planning.
Community and Key Opinion Leader Engagement
Develop and manage relationships with KOL, athletes, tastemakers, and the Run catalysts team, ensuring continuity in community leadership and maximizing brand exposure.
Lead PR-driven activations across all categories to engage running and lifestyle communities, amplify brand storytelling, and maintain a consistent New Balance voice in the market.
Oversee the seeding program, ensuring strategic placement of New Balance products with KOL/tastemakers to maximize brand exposure.
Market Insights and Analytics
Conduct brand health checks, gather market intelligence, and actively track campaign and brand performance. Use insights to inform decision making for the future.
Leverage insights to refine strategies and optimize execution.
Budget Management
Plan, allocate, and manage provided Communication/PR budgets to ensure efficient use of resources.
Conduct budget reviews and track performance in partnership with the FR and central marketing team to ensure transparency and alignment.
Stakeholder Engagement
Act as the primary point of contact for senior leadership on brand and communications matters.
Manage relationships with external agencies, partners, and vendors, often directly overseeing deliverables and timelines.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:
Bachelor’s degree or equivelant in marketing, Business or a related field.
Solid experience marketing, preferable in PR and/or Brand management.
Proven ability to balance strategic thinking with hands on execution.
Exceptional storytelling and communication skills, both written and verbal.
Strong project management and organisational abilities, with a track record of managing end-to-end campaigns.
Strong understanding of the lifestyle and/or running footwear and apparel market, including trends, competitors, and consumers. Ideally has a great understanding of working with or on brands that play at the intersection of sports and culture.
Ability to work cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners.
Ability to analyse performance data and market insights to inform decisions and optimise marketing efforts.
Based in Paris.
Ability to travel up to 15%
BENEFITS:
Discretionary Bonus Opportunity
Discount on Health Insurance
Pension
Life Insurance
Daily Meal Allowance
25 days Annual Leave per year
Hybrid Working
Transportation Allowance
Employee Discount
Volunteering Opportunities via NB GivesBack
Flexibility to work 20 days from anywhere each year
Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)
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Equal Opportunity Employer:
New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.
If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or related field
- Solid experience in marketing
- Experience in PR and/or Brand management
- Proven ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
- Exceptional storytelling and communication skills, written and verbal
- Strong project management and organisational abilities with track record managing end-to-end campaigns
- Ability to analyse performance data and market insights to inform decisions
- Strong understanding of the lifestyle and/or running footwear and apparel market
- Ability to work cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners
- Based in Paris
- Ability to travel up to 15%
New Balance Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about New Balance and has not been reviewed or approved by New Balance.
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Healthcare Strength — Benefits coverage is described as comprehensive, including medical, dental, and vision options alongside wellness resources like health coaching. Fitness reimbursement is also cited as part of the overall health and wellness offering.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support is positioned as strong, with a 401(k) plan and a company match described as dollar-for-dollar up to a stated contribution level in some locations. Life insurance and disability benefits are also included as part of the broader financial protection package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off offerings are characterized as generous, with paid holidays, vacation time, and paid sick leave highlighted. Flexible schedules and telecommuting options are also described as supporting work-life balance.
New Balance Insights
What We Do
In 1906, New Balance began as a humble one-man operation founded on the belief that “we were born to move,” and has since grown into an international corporation, selling footwear and apparel in over 120 countries and employing over 8,000 associates worldwide. Our mission has always been to support the performance of athletes, and with an unparalleled focus on quality and craftsmanship, we’ve come to set the standard for comfort and fit in an industry all too often driven by hype. We’re incredibly proud of our history and how far we’ve come, but companies don’t thrive for over a century by being content. Whether it’s setting a new style trend, retooling our manufacturing process, or building a new state-of-the-art headquarters, we pursue innovation with a spirit of fearless independence. As the only privately held major footwear company in the world, we’re free to do things our way, pushing limits and testing boundaries as we continually reimagine what could be. After all, the status quo isn’t static. But doing things our way wouldn’t mean much if we weren’t also doing them the right way. We invest in our associates as they invest in us, and as we move forward, we make a point of giving back, supporting communities around us through ambitious philanthropic efforts and involvement programs. We are a company that cares, and our culture is one of integrity and teamwork where together we become greater than the sum of our parts.
