Sustainable Fashion Program Lead

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Arlington-VA, Seattle-WA, US (remote), Belgium, or United Kingdom

The Sustainable Fashion Program Lead position is a dynamic role within Conservation International’s Sustainable Fashion program. This role will focus on several programmatic areas, primarily acting as technical lead for the program on topics such as climate, nature and biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, and materials innovation related to multiple sectors in fashion and textiles.

This is a leadership role that will be external-facing and rely on a candidate’s strong ability to articulate their strategic vision and enable collaboration to drive impact at scale. This position will lead key partnerships and initiatives within the fashion and textile industry as well as participate in multistakeholder working groups to drive sectoral transformation. This will include the delivery of existing projects with leading fashion and textile organizations focused on Tier 4 (raw material production).

The role is responsible for ensuring the Fashion team’s project portfolio and key initiatives, such as the Regenerative Fund for Nature, align with industry-leading standards, regulations, and frameworks. This will include working with the broader internal Regenerative Fund for Nature team on piloting frameworks in field projects as well as designing new landscape-level investments in cotton, wool, cashmere, and leather aligned to best practices.

Another key component of the role is corporate advisory including the design and implementation of projects with fashion and textile companies leading on climate, nature, biodiversity, and regenerative agriculture in partnership with the Moore Center for Science and other technical experts within the Center for Sustainable Lands and Waters.

This position is within the Sustainable Fashion team and works closely with the Conservation Stewards Program, Moore Center for Science, Conservation Finance Division, and Brand Partnerships teams. The Sustainable Fashion team sits within a dynamic and growing Center for Sustainable Lands and Waters (CSLW). CSLW works to introduce scalable, sustainable development initiatives that align community, policy, and market-based incentives at the global, regional, and local levels. Focus areas include the implementation of community-based incentives, freshwater conservation, and efforts to improve the sustainability of key commodities, including coffee, palm oil, soy, tuna, and shrimp.

Duties are diverse and include designing and implementing strategy, project management, donor engagement, technical thought leadership, and fundraising. The Senior Program Manager ensures compliance with CI policies, program and funding agreements, and local requirements. They regularly represent CI and builds alliances and engage key external stakeholders including government and non-government officials, donors, and other parties critical to program success. The Senior Program Manager works across interdisciplinary teams and/or outside partners. They work with a high degree of independence. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and lead technical strategy for key initiatives such as the Regenerative Fund for Nature, including reviewing current projects, co-designing new projects and piloting industry frameworks such as SBTN, TNFD, OP2B, and Textile Exchange’s Regenerative Outcomes Framework (ROF).
• Develop and manage key sectoral partnerships for CI’s Fashion program focused on Tier 4 raw materials, agriculture, and production systems.
• Serve as a technical expert internally and externally on key topics related to climate, biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, and/or restoration.
• Lead on technical design and execution of corporate advisory proposals, and regenerative materials projects, ensuring science-based outcomes and impact.
• Manage key external relationships with donors and partners, serving as the primary point of contact for projects and initiatives.
• Cultivate relationships with other technical experts within the sector, ensuring continued collaboration and best practice sharing within key industry forums.
• Work across internal interdisciplinary teams to drive scientific and technical excellence.
• Effectively engage stakeholders including donors, government and NGOs, technical colleagues, and other partners important to program success. 
• Represent the organization externally and serve as a trusted point of contact and advisory for CI. 
• Identify opportunities for program growth and development. Support program financial sustainability by identifying funding opportunities. Contribute to funding proposals and regional/global fundraising efforts.
• Ensure compliance with CI policies including CI Safeguards System, funding agreements, and local requirements.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Local and/or international travel of 20% or more.
• Ability to travel to and work in remote locations. 
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process. 
• For UK candidates, candidates should be UK nationals or have a valid work permit for the UK.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree and 7 or more years of related work experience in corporate sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and production systems.
• Strong experience in the field, designing and implementing agricultural projects in food or fiber sectors.
• Technical expertise in climate and biodiversity, including experience with SBTN and TNFD.
• Program leadership experience, preferably in the global conservation, NGO, advocacy, or related for-profit arena.
• Excellent technical and analytical skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Team player and able to work effectively with diverse workgroups in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A record of success in influencing and partnering with key stakeholders and raising funds.
• Proven ability to multitask and meet priorities. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under minimal supervision. 
• Fluency in English is required.
• Experience working in an international environment.

Preferred

• Master's degree
• Up to 2 years of supervisory experience. 
• Knowledge of fashion and textile fiber industries, supply chains, and key stakeholders.
• Experience in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) frameworks and application.
• Multilingual

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.