Brand Education & Advocacy Manager

What makes this a great opportunity?

Role 
We are looking for people who bring something unique to Suntory Global Spirits - themselves. We value differences, and we appreciate what each of us can contribute. We inspire each other, and challenge ourselves to innovate, improve, advance new ideas and try new things. We create endless opportunities to Unleash Your Spirit every day in a culture that is charged, creative, challenging and fun.

WHAT MAKES THIS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY? 
Suntory Global Spirits is a world leader in premium spirits with $5.5 billion in annual revenues and an ambition to become the World’s Most Admired Premium Spirits Company. We have a strong vision and strategy, an incredible brand portfolio grounded in quality and craftsmanship, an unwavering commitment to sustainability and top talent across the organization. We are focused on driving value across key priorities including American whiskey, Japanese Spirits, Scotch, Tequila and Ready-to-Drink. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings, which is world renowned for delivering quality and excellence across a range of products and categories.

Role Responsibilities

Mission of Role 

Reporting to the Senior Director, Prestige & Advocacy, you will be responsible for leading efforts to build advocacy for the Scotch & Irish Brand Portfolio, both internally and externally.  
 
Working with cross functional teams, you will work to build programs, assets and initiatives that educate and inspire target audiences about our Scotch and Irish brands.  In addition, you’ll act as a key point of contact for local advocacy resources around the world, ensuring they are armed with the knowledge and support they need to build advocacy at a local level.  

Role Responsibilities 

1. Strategic Planning: With support from the S&I leadership team, develop and implement a comprehensive brand advocacy strategy aligned with the Scotch and Irish brand house objectives and values.
2. Education and Training: Set the strategy and develop educational programs and training materials for internal teams, trade partners, and consumers to deepen understanding and appreciation of the Scotch and Irish category and our brands within. 
3. Coaching and Influence: Provide coaching and support to the S&I Global Brand Ambassador and support the broader team of Scotch and Irish brand ambassadors and Key City Leads across all key markets, providing strategic education guidance, training, and resources to ensure consistent messaging and representation of the brand.
4. Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the S&I brand house and Prestige Key City leads to strengthen brand loyalty and amplify brand visibility and credibility. These relationships will be built during global travel to key markets, and inbound brand home visits.
5. Category and Brand Education: Conceptualize, plan, and execute a meaningful education and engagement plan to ensure the S&I brand house and broader SGS business can talk to and sell Scotch with ultimate confidence and belief.  Drive consistency and confidence in brand story telling via management and implementation of updated brand tools and assets. Utilising and applying best practice from other Brand Houses.
6. Trade and Media representative: Represent the brand house and brands by curating relationships with global media, including influencers and media outlets, in conjunction and supported by the Global Communication and Corporate Communication teams. Represent the S&I brand house at key industry events.

7. Content Development: Collaborate with the global marketing teams to create compelling and authentic product and brand content, supporting brand storytelling activity across social media, digital channels, and traditional media.
8. Budget Management: Manage the brand advocacy budget effectively, ensuring resources are allocated strategically to maximize ROI.

Qualifications

Qualifications & Experience   

•    5+ years of relevant professional experience
•    Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, influence and motivate teams.
•    World-class communication and presentation skills.
•    Strategic thinker with a creative mindset and a passion for storytelling.
•    Deep knowledge of the Scotch whisky category, global whisky market trends and consumer behavior.
•    Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
•    Entrepreneurial attitude. Proactivity Self-motivated, able to work independently.
•    Energetic, confident and self-motivated with a natural flair for presenting to an array of audiences
•    Social media savvy (Instagram/Linked-in/Yammer)
•    Highly Personable

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:    
•    Reports to the Senior Director for Prestige and Advocacy in the S&I Brand House
•    Leadership team members of the Brand House, in particular the Senior Director for Brands and the BH MD
•    Cross functional leads and teams (e.g., Operations, VC’s, Proof Positive, Public Affairs)
•    Local Markets
•    External agencies