Vans: Associate, Culture & Innovation Communication & Operations

Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next?

Vans is the original brand rooted in the authentic lifestyle of skateboarding. We are driven by our mission to inspire and empower everyone to live “Off The Wall” – embracing the youthful spirit of freedom, non-conformity, and relentless progression. Yesterday’s “Off The Wall” moment is today’s new normal, and at Vans, we believe in constantly outdoing ourselves. Together with our communities across the globe, our vision is to push culture forward because we believe that the pursuit of progression never ends. We are constantly inspired by the future generation of positive catalysts within our community.  

So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of people who think and live “Off the Wall,” Vans just may be the place for you.

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Vans Careers or www.vans.com.

What will you do?

A day in the life of an Associate, Culture & Innovation, Communications & Operations at Vans looks a little like this.

You will be a critical support in our Culture & Innovation department, reporting directly to the Senior Director of Culture & Innovation. This role spans the global market, and you will collaborate with teams across PR, finance, legal, and cross-functional marketing teams to ensure smooth execution of global launches and communication strategies. The associate will manage the logistical elements of our operations to keep the team organized and ready to drive brand desire.
 

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.

• Maintain and manage the global culture and innovation calendar, encompassing OTW product launch dates, collaboration timelines, internal milestones, and major cultural moments.
• Work closely with PR partners to align on press releases, communication timelines, and internal/external messaging, ensuring all teams are synced.
• Provide operational support across finance, legal, contracts, and payments, ensuring smooth coordination and adherence to timelines and processes.
• Facilitate and manage regular regional and cross-functional meetings, ensuring that information flows seamlessly across teams and supporting team prioritization and scheduling.
• Assist in managing logistics for global and regional launches, including sample ordering, project follow-ups, and support for large-scale events.

What do you need to succeed?

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 3-5 years of hands-on experience in marketing, PR, or project management.

The foundation skills you will need in this position are:

• Exceptional organizational skills and a track record of managing multiple projects and timelines efficiently.
• Strong proactive communication skills, with the ability to work across various teams and partners.
• Cultural awareness and a passion for skateboarding and its intersections with art, music, design, and fashion.
• Adaptability and a solutions-focused mindset, comfortable navigating a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships through proactive support and logistical excellence.

There are also a few skills that are not required but preferred.

• Experience working within the skateboarding or streetwear industry.
• Familiarity with PR coordination or talent management.
• A proactive approach to learning and developing new skills in relationship management and team support.

What do we offer you?

At Vans, we know you expect as much from us as we do from you. That is why we make a commitment to support and grow our people. We offer extensive development and growth opportunities for your current and future positions, a competitive compensation package, and a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

Our commitment extends beyond this and into your daily work life. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive culture based on respect, connection, and authenticity. Our focus on DEI is at the foundation of who we are and what we do.

To learn more about Vans’ benefits package, follow this