Location New York
Job-type Permanent
Salary $Negotiable
Reference 16999
Category USA

Since Charles Lewis Tiffany founded his store in New York City in 1837, Charles, Tiffany & Co. has become globally synonymous with elegance, innovative design, fine craftsmanship and creative excellence. Through the years, they've also become known as both an industry and national leader in sustainability.

The Vice President & Chief Sustainability Officer (VP & CSO) drives the overall Sustainability and Philanthropy strategy and company position on ESG. This position partners cross-functionally with senior leaders across Tiffany, LVMH and external stakeholders to deliver leading sustainability capabilities for Tiffany.

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Additionally, in this dual role as the Chair & President of The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, this position oversees the governance and programmatic giving of the Foundation, a separate legal entity.


Reporting to the CEO, the VP & CSO leads the Global Sustainability and Philanthropy team, fostering collaboration and transparency through a strong culture of excellence, accountability and inclusion.

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Responsibilities Include:

  • Sustainability Strategy and Programs

  • Develop, execute and evolve Tiffany & Co.'s global sustainability (ESG) strategy, including setting and driving progress on goals, performing inclusive "Materiality Analyses" at regular intervals (with internal and external input), and driving policy decisions and accountability to embed ESG into the business.

  • Provide strategic and operational advice to the President & CEO of Tiffany & Co. on matters ranging from industry coalition building and relations with the nonprofit sector to sourcing decisions and sustainability communications.

  • Promote the advancement of DEI throughout Tiffany, as a crucial element of Tiffany's ESG efforts, including elevating DEI through the Sustainability Goals, philanthropy and other means.

  • External Engagement

  • Bring to the role and maintain strong relationships on a global scale with high-level government, environmental and human rights advocacy groups, other NGOs, business leaders, suppliers and other leaders to support Tiffany & Co.'s position through dialogue and education (both directions).

  • Represent Tiffany in industry, philanthropy and a wide variety of multi-stakeholder forums, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of diplomacy, the luxury, jewellery and extractive sectors and the complex, global issues being addressed.

  • Tiffany & Co. Foundation

  • Lead overall governance, administrative and programmatic functions

  • Oversee programmatic giving for The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, including building portfolios of grants and performing due diligence

  • Preside over The Tiffany & Co. Foundation's Board of Directors meetings

  • Communications and Reporting

  • Develop and oversee Tiffany's annual metrics-driven Sustainability Report, with a focus on transparency and in alignment with key (and emerging) reporting frameworks. Oversee the assurance of Tiffany's sustainability metrics annually.

  • Serve as a credible spokesperson for Tiffany on all ESG and philanthropic topics (ESG strategies, goals, climate change, responsible mining, supply chain transparency, climate change, biodiversity, cause marketing, DEI, human rights, philanthropy, ocean conservation), as well as for specific milestones or relevant to specific materials (i.e., diamonds). This includes speaking on external panels, in interviews with media, at high-profile events, and among Tiffany and LVMH employees, in both prepared and impromptu settings, requiring both substantive fluency and communication-savvy messaging.

  • Advise on sensitive public messaging, both proactive and reactive, regarding any sustainability topics through a variety of communication channels, including but not limited to executive communications, social media, and client outreach, balancing an understanding of the brand's public positioning, the reputational risk with the desire for transparency and responsiveness to our diverse stakeholders.

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Qualifications:

  • Extensive experience in relevant field as a respected, credible authority

  • Expertise in private and/or corporate philanthropy, with in-depth knowledge of Foundation governance and nonprofit laws, including self-dealing

  • Experience working with high-profile consumer brands, including the luxury sector.

  • Exceptionally effective, compelling communicator in formal and informal settings, for both lay audiences and technical audiences.

  • Experience serving as a spokesperson

  • Ability to bring relationships and a clear set of external contacts in all relevant fields

  • Must be flexible and agile, with an ability to move quickly, pivot and adapt to a fast-paced, changing environment

  • Proven ability to analyze and balance geopolitical, supply chain, business, economic, cultural, reputational and environmental factors simultaneously and on an ongoing basis, and to provide sound recommendations to the business

  • Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

  • High ethical standards and commitment to core values of leadership, respect, and integrity

  • Undergraduate degree

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If you are interested to learn more about this opportunity, please apply here or send an email to richard.kent@acre.com.

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Leading this search is Catherine Harris - Catherine Harris Biography. Please contact Catherine at catherine.harris@acre.com to discuss similar senior executive positions or to explore how we might work together in the future.