Industry Engagement Lead (Europe)

Industry Engagement Lead (Europe)

Reports to: Industry Engagement Director

Direct reports: 1

Remote Europe

About Us

Textile Exchange is a global non-profit driving positive impact on climate change across the fashion and textile industry. It guides a growing community of brands manufacturers and farmers towards more purposeful production from the very start of the supply chain.

By 2030 its goal is to guide the industry to achieve a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within fiber and raw material production. Its focus is holistic and interconnected accelerating the adoption of practices that improve the state of our water soil health and biodiversity too.

For real change to happen everyone needs a clear path to positive impact. Thats why Textile Exchange believes that approachable step-by-step instruction paired with collective action can change the system to make preferred materials and fibers an accessible default mobilizing leaders through attainable strategies proven solutions and adriven community.

At Textile Exchange materials matter. To learn more visit .

Working at Textile Exchange

We work remotely with a teamlocatedin 20 countries. We are a diverse group committed to harnessing the strengths of the global textile industry to accelerate change toward climate and other key environmental goals. We work collaboratively on important environmental issues around the world by working and interacting with farming groups processors brands retailers and environmental experts in the textile and fashion industries around the world. We offer an opportunity to join a cutting-edge global environmental nonprofit and to help strengthen the impact of our organization.

Position Summary

We are looking for anIndustry EngagementLeadto work withinthe Industry EngagementTeamfocused onsupportingand guidingbrands and retailers withthetransition to preferred production systems.This team sits within theEngagement and Partnership Department.

TheLeadwill workwithintheEngagementand Partnershipdepartmentandalongsideour Climate and Natureand Standards role involves direct responsibility forengagingwith brands and retailers to meaningfully drive the adoption of best practices trackprogressand increase the adoptionof preferredproductionsystemsandtheir resultingmaterials withinthe global supplysystem.

The Lead will manage a small team and play a critical role in fostering strong relationships with brand and retailer stakeholders by creating the enabling environment to deliver collaborative pre-competitive engagement opportunities across our diverse stakeholders. They will be responsible for driving accountability for progress by encouraging brands to report into the Materials Benchmark and helping to strengthen our impact tools through ongoing feedback addition they will support the adoption and increase awareness of Textile Exchange standards and certification. To ensure a robust feedback loop is maintained they will build awareness and convene stakeholders to support feedback loops on policies related to the Materials Matter Standard (MMS) and Content Claim Standard (CCS) launches Trackit system scaling and other key initiatives.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a mission-driven successful candidatewillbe aself-motivated individualwith a proven track recordin sustainabilitydemonstratedunderstanding of the climate and nature impacts of the apparelindustryand delivering multi-stakeholderinitiativesand havedemonstratedtheirability to remain flexible proactive resourceful and efficient witha high levelof professionalism.

Expert-level written and verbal communication skills as well as the ability to plan;strong decision-making capacity and attention to detail are all needed.Theyarea confident communicator who works easily withstakeholdersfrom all parts of theglobalsupplysystem.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. External Stakeholder Engagement:

• Develop and execute the engagement strategy to support brands with the transition to preferred production systems and drivecollective action to accelerate this transition.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with existing brand & retailer stakeholders fosteringcollaboration with Textile Exchange. Serve as a representative of the standards system (claims traceability and standards) for the brand and retailer community so that they feel supported.
• Support the organization in organizing and hosting events that foster collaboration and collectiveactionamong stakeholders.
• Represent and speak at Textile Exchange at industry conferences workshops and meetings.
• Support the rollout of Textile Exchange tools reports and research and raise awareness of howTextile Exchangetoolscontribute to positive climate and nature impacts.

2. Driving Accountability:

• Responsible for developing and executing the strategy for supporting brands to drive progress in alignment with Textile Exchanges Pathway to Preferred Production Systems reporting into the Materials Benchmark sourcing through verified production systems and working collectively to drive systems transformation.
• Collaborate with the data and tech team to support the collection of brand and retailer volume and impact data for the Material Benchmark reports and ad hoc data requirements as needed.
• Work closely with the Data Reporting and Impact Data teams to establish a clear feedback loop with stakeholders on our evolving Reporting and Impact tools contributing to the development of the value proposition of reporting.
• Provide regular updates to stakeholders on our reporting tools impact tools and related research ( studies)creating opportunities for brands to sponsorand engage with Textile Exchange studies and research.

3. Internal Engagement:

• Collaborate with the Climate and Nature team and Industry Activation teams to define and develop meaningful activations (working groups regional events advisory groups) that will support the transition to preferred production systems.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop strong feedback loop mechanisms between stakeholders andall internal teams ensuring continuous improvement.
• Keep abreast of industry and regulatory developments requirements and related to the textile and apparel sector.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum of6years of experiencein sustainabilitystakeholder engagementorrelatedfield.
• Experience working in or withconsumer brands or retailers.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills across a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with keystakeholders.
• Demonstrated interest in Textile Exchanges vision mission and goals.
• Ability to work in a flexible fast-paced remote environment meet deadlines and regularly share progress.

• Strong workethicand self-motivation with the ability to work effectively remotely.
• Strong team player.
• Proficient in delivering projects to set deadlines ensuring attention to detail.
• Honest professional responsible and discreet acting with the utmost confidence.
• Excellent communication written and grammatical skills in English (native or bilingual proficiency).

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel PowerPoint and Word and the ability to quickly learn new systems.

• Ability and willingness to travel to keyeventsand/or conferences as needed.
• Passion for sustainability and a commitment to driving positive change in the fashion industry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters in Sustainability or relevant
  
• Experience managing direct reports.
  
• Experience in sustainability teams within outdoor contemporary brands or retailers.
• Experience with voluntary reporting and disclosure requirements related to evolving policy and regulations.
• Familiarity withpolicy and regulatory requirements as it pertains to text
  
• Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder meetings.
  
• Fluency in Italian

Employment Package

Full-Time Position 40 Hours a Week

Required travel: between 20-25%

Annual Salary Range: $115000 - $150000 USD

Required Experience:

Senior Manager