Director, Materials Engagement and Partnership

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 guide the industry to drive a 45% reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions within fiber and raw material production. To get there, we are keeping our focus 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. That’s 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 a driven community.  

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 leverage our collective strengths to tackle climate challenges and advance key environmental goals. Collaborating with farming groups, processors, brands, retailers, and environmental experts worldwide, we address critical issues shaping the future of this industry. 

Joining our team means becoming part of a cutting-edge global non-profit dedicated to amplifying impact. Textile Exchange offers 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 fully global and 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.  As a key leader within the Engagement and Partnership department, the Director will oversee a dedicated team to meaningfully engage this target group around our activities, driving their engagement and buy-in around our efforts to scale preferred production systems.  Reporting to the Senior Director of Engagement and Partnership, the Director will play a pivotal role in advancing our climate and nature targets through engagement.

The Director will be instrumental in driving engagement efforts with Tier 4 that promote our activities, especially 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 passion for ensuring that all voices—particularly those from the producer community—are heard and represented in our decision-making processes. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have experience in grant-making and fund distribution, enabling them to effectively support activities that support the transition required on the ground.

The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in the apparel, agriculture, and recycling sectors, along with a strong grasp of the challenges in achieving Climate and Nature impact goals. With a collaborative mindset and approach, they will be committed to working with the team to ensure Textile Exchange continues to support our goals and creates meaningful value for Tier 4 partners..

Duties and Responsibilities 

Key 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. This includes ensuring representation from Tier 4 in the design and testing of our tools and resources, ensuring adoption and participation in our activities, and delivering value to Tier 4 stakeholders, all in support of our organization’s strategy. 

•    Team Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of material-focused specialists, working closely with the Industry Engagement and Activation teams, to effectively engage stakeholders through events, field visits, webinars, roundtables, and workshops. These engagements will support Tier 4-facing organizations and other groups in adopting and implementing Textile Exchange tools, resources, and standards across cotton, animal fibers, and recycled materials. 

•    Partnership Development: Working alongside the materials engagement leads you will support and cultivate strategic partnerships with raw material producer groups, initiatives engaging Tier 4 producers, and other sustainability schemes to drive collaborative impact and mutual support. 

•    Process Development & Implementation: Establish and refine processes and procedures to support the effective engagement of Tier 4-facing organizations. This includes developing systems that streamline workflows, support regional engagement strategies, and improve the overall efficiency of the engagement process.

•    Cross-Functional Collaboration & Feedback Loops: Leverage a proven track record in working cross-functionally to facilitate strong, continuous feedback loops between Tier 4-facing organizations and Textile Exchange’s internal teams. Ensure these feedback mechanisms are systematically integrated, providing actionable insights that inform the development and refinement of tools, resources, and standards to stay relevant and responsive to industry needs. Actively contribute to multi-stakeholder governance processes, ensuring that all voices - especially those from the producer community - are heard, represented, and reflected in Textile Exchange’s initiatives and strategies.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

•       Lead the organization’s efforts to engage Tier 4-facing organizations, driving their participation in and contribution to Textile Exchange activities, including standards and tools to support tracking progress.
•    Manage and cultivate the Materials Engagement & Partnership team to ensure continuous collaboration with Tier 4 organizations, driving the implementation of Textile Exchange tools and resources.
•    Establish and oversee systems for gathering and analyzing feedback from stakeholders to drive continuous improvement, leveraging data to glean insights and ensure Textile Exchange’s tools meet organizational goals and the needs of stakeholders.
•    Design and oversee engagement strategies to enhance stakeholder knowledge, use, and satisfaction  of Textile Exchange activities.
•    Lead efforts that raise awareness of how Textile Exchange activities contribute to beneficial climate and nature impacts.
•    Oversee the delivery of relevant events, workshops, webinars, and roundtables, ensuring that engagement opportunities are tailored to support Tier 4-facing organizations and foster knowledge-sharing across the global network.
•    Collaborate across Textile Exchange to ensure stakeholders are engaged in a cohesive, organized way, fostering alignment between Tier 4-facing organizations and other areas of the organization.
•    Contribute to the development and refinement of Textile Exchange tools and resources, ensuring feedback loops are maintained and reflective of the priorities of Tier 4-facing stakeholders.
•    Work closely with other organizational departments to track key metrics and indicators that support measuring the success of engagement efforts against Textile Exchange’s broader goals.
•    Manage budgets for the Materials Engagement & Partnership team and ensure efficient use of resources.
•    Travel and speak to represent Textile Exchange professionally across a broad spectrum of stakeholders, from beginners in sustainability to senior executives and industry leaders.
•    Maintain team satisfaction and motivation to drive maximum results.

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 the challenges and opportunities faced by organizations working with Tier 4 producers to achieve climate and nature impact.
•    Highly developed engagement, networking, and communication skills, with proven experience in designing and delivering strategic engagement plans.
•     Demonstrated ability to achieve results through collaboration and partnership across a wide range of departments and stakeholders.
•    Proven experience managing teams and budgets, with a strong commitment to working collaboratively.
•    Experience in delivering impactful learning and networking experiences through events, workshops, and webinars.
•    Strong public speaking experience and ability to represent Textile Exchange across various industry settings.
•    Must be prepared to travel as required for the role.

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
 •   To be filled as soon as possible (start date to be agreed between both parties).
 •   Our salary structures are location-agnostic, ensuring equal pay for the same role, irrespective of location. Final employment offers are determined based on the role, candidate experience, education, and other relevant factors, but not on location. Offers will be presented in the local currency of the candidate's permanent residence. Benefits are tailored to the region of the candidate's permanent residence and align with Textile Exchange’s regional employment packages.
 •   To see if we hire in your country and for more information, please visit: https://remote.com/country-explorer

How to Apply   

Please apply here with your resume and a cover letter. 

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis as they are submitted. Early application submission is strongly encouraged.    

If you have any pressing questions after completing your application, and meet the qualifications, please contact recruitment@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.

Compensation$140,000 - $175,000 USD