Director, Materials Engagement and Partnerships

NGE Sports; London; Hybrid; GBP 102,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

A global non-profit is seeking a Materials Engagement & Partnership Director to lead engagement with Tier 4 producers and oversee a team dedicated to driving strategic partnerships and sustainability initiatives. The role requires over 8 years of experience in sustainability with strong communication and networking skills. Competitive compensation is offered along with a fully remote work model.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Paid time off

Discretionary annual bonuses

Learning opportunities

Qualifications

• 8+ years in sustainability, particularly in apparel, agriculture, and textiles.
• Strong strategic engagement planning ability.
• Experience managing teams and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Oversee strategy to engage organizations with Tier 4 producers.
• Lead and mentor a team of specialists.
• Develop strategic partnerships with sustainability initiatives.

Skills

Strong engagement skills

Networking

Communication

Public speaking

Job description

About Textile Exchange

Textile Exchange is a global non-profit driving beneficial outcomes for climate and nature across the fashion, apparel, and textile industry. We guide a growing community of brands, manufacturers, and material producers towards more purposeful production, right from the start of the supply chain.

By 2030, our goal is to drive a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within fiber and raw material production. We pursue holistic and interconnected practices that improve water, soil health, and biodiversity.

To learn more, visit TextileExchange.org.

Joining our team

We are a globally distributed, fully remote team spanning over 20 countries and united by our commitment to driving positive change in the fashion, apparel, and textile industry. We tackle climate challenges and advance key environmental goals by collaborating with farming groups, processors, brands, retailers, and environmental experts worldwide. Joining Textile Exchange means becoming part of a cutting-edge global non-profit dedicated to amplifying impact. We offer competitive compensation, including paid time off, discretionary annual bonuses, learning opportunities, and more.

Like all roles within our organization, this position is remote, reflecting our US-based yet globally distributed, home-based structure. Candidates must be available to work across the United States and European time zones.

Job Summary

The Materials Engagement & Partnership Director will spearhead the strategic engagement of companies and organizations working directly with Tier 4 (raw material production and primary processing) producers, including standards systems, branded fibers, sustainability programs, and initiatives. The Director will oversee a dedicated team to engage this target group around Textile Exchange activities and drive their engagement and buy-in to scale preferred production systems. Reporting to the Senior Director of Engagement and Partnership, the Director will advance climate and nature targets through engagement.

The Director will promote engagement with Tier 4 to support reporting on progress, adoption of the standards system, and addressing barriers to the transition to preferred production. A strong background in multi-stakeholder initiatives is essential, with a focus on ensuring that producer voices are heard in decision-making. Experience in grant-making and fund distribution to support on-the-ground activities is desired.

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in the apparel, agriculture, and recycling sectors, with a solid understanding of challenges in achieving Climate and Nature impact goals. They will be collaborative, committed to supporting Textile Exchange’s goals, and able to create meaningful value for Tier 4 partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to engage organizations and companies that work directly with Tier 4 producers around Textile Exchange activities. Ensure Tier 4 representation in tool design and testing, promote adoption and participation, and deliver value to Tier 4 stakeholders in support of the organization’s strategy.
• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of material-focused specialists, collaborating with the Industry Engagement and Activation teams to engage stakeholders through events, field visits, webinars, roundtables, and workshops. Support Tier 4-facing organizations in adopting Textile Exchange tools, resources, and standards across cotton, animal materials, and recycled materials.
• Partnership Development: Develop strategic partnerships with raw material producer groups, Tier 4 initiatives, and other sustainability schemes to drive collaborative impact.
• Process Development & Implementation: Establish and refine processes to support effective engagement of Tier 4-facing organizations, including regional engagement strategies and streamlined workflows.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Feedback Loops: Facilitate continuous feedback between Tier 4-facing organizations and Textile Exchange internal teams. Ensure feedback informs tool and standard development and maintenance. Contribute to multi-stakeholder governance to ensure producer voices are heard and reflected in strategies.
• Primary Duties and Responsibilities: Lead efforts to engage Tier 4-facing organizations, drive participation in Textile Exchange activities, and support tracking progress with standards and tools. Manage and grow the Materials Engagement & Partnership team. Gather and analyze stakeholder feedback to drive tool improvements. Design engagement strategies to increase knowledge, use, and satisfaction with Textile Exchange activities. Raise awareness of how activities contribute to climate and nature impacts. Deliver events, workshops, webinars, and roundtables. Ensure cross-functional alignment and cohesive engagement across the organization. Develop and refine tools and resources with robust feedback loops. Track metrics that support goals. Manage budgets and travel to represent Textile Exchange professionally. Maintain team satisfaction and motivation.

Minimum Experience and Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in sustainability, particularly in the apparel, agriculture, and textile sectors, with a preference for prior engagement with the Textile Exchange network.
• Deep understanding of challenges and opportunities for Tier 4 producers to achieve climate and nature impact.
• Strong engagement, networking, and communication skills with a track record in strategic engagement planning.
• Proven ability to collaborate across departments and stakeholders to achieve results.
• Experience managing teams and budgets, with a collaborative approach.
• Experience delivering learning and networking experiences through events, workshops, and webinars.
• Strong public speaking experience and ability to represent Textile Exchange in various settings.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Employment Package

• Reports to: Senior Director, Engagement & Partnerships
• Full-Time Position, 40 Hours a Week
• Location: Virtual/Remote
• Annual Salary Range: $140,000 - $175,000 USD
• Start date to be agreed between both parties
• Salary is location-agnostic with region-based benefits; offers are based on role and experience, not location. Offers are in the local currency of the candidate's permanent residence.
• For more information on countries of operation, see Textile Exchange’s country guidelines.

How to Apply

Please apply here with your resume and a cover letter. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Early submission is strongly encouraged. If you have questions after applying and meet the qualifications, please contact recruitment at TextileExchange.org.

Textile Exchange is committed to creating a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.