Starting Date: As soon as possible 

Contract type: Full time, permanent 

Salary band:  If hired in London 104’550 GBP, if hired in Switzerland 142’250 CHF commensurate with relevant experience and knowledge

Location: London (UK), Geneva (Switzerland)

Application closing date: 28.11.2024

About the Job 

As Better Cotton continues to scale its global impact, we seek an experienced and dynamic Senior Director of Communications to lead our global communications strategy. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in the sustainable textile and apparel sectors, along with the leadership and management skills required to steer Better Cotton’s brand visibility, public engagement, and organisational narrative. This role is responsible for managing Better Cotton communications across all platforms, overseeing public relations, crisis communications, and advocacy efforts. The Senior Director will also lead strategic efforts in shaping how Better Cotton positions itself within the global sustainability and agricultural sectors.

As a key member of the Executive Group, the Senior Director of Communications will provide high-level strategic insight and direction, guiding a globally dispersed team and ensuring alignment with Better Cotton’s overarching goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership 

• Accountable for developing and executing Better Cotton’s global communications strategy, ensuring it drives outcomes that elevate the organisation’s profile and aligns with its growth targets.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO and Executive Group to position Better Cotton as a thought leaders in sustainable agriculture and textile industries.
• Serve as the chief spokesperson for Better Cotton, representing the organisation at high-profile global events and in the media.
• Oversee communications efforts across multiple functions, ensuring consistency and cohesion across public relations, marketing, events, and advocacy.
• Accountable for driving brand positioning and narrative development, ensuring that Better Cotton’s brand identity reflects its core values and that the value proposition is clearly communicated to diverse audiences, positioning the organisation as a leader in sustainability.

Team Leadership and Development  

• Accountable for building and leading a high-performing global communications team that delivers results aligned with Better Cotton’s strategic priorities. Ensure the team is empowered to meet its objectives, and that individual and collective performance contributes to measurable organisational success.
• Manage and guide a diverse team of communications, public relations, and events professionals, ensuring they have the resources and support to succeed.
• Build a positive, dynamic, and results-oriented team culture, encouraging innovation and collaboration across teams and countries. 

Public Relations, Media Engagement, and Advocacy

• Accountable for enhancing Better Cotton’s reputation through strategic public relations and media engagement. Ensure that global media coverage reflects Better Cotton’s influence and leadership in sustainability, and that our public relations strategy enhances stakeholder trust and credibility.
• Lead advocacy efforts, working closely with the policy and public affairs teams to develop and implement campaigns that drive legislative and policy changes in line with Better Cotton’s mission.
• Accountable for protecting and enhancing Better Cotton’s reputation by ensuring crisis communication protocols are in place, with clear accountability for safeguarding the organisation’s image in moments of risk. Lead efforts to prevent and respond to reputational risks, ensuring our brand remains resilient and trusted.

Events and Conference Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight for the planning and execution of Better Cotton’s global events, including the flagship annual conference.
• Develop strategies to increase visibility and participation in events, working closely with stakeholders to secure sponsorships and other income-generating activities.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Accountable for ensuring that stakeholder engagement efforts drive strategic outcomes that enhance Better Cotton’s influence and impact across the sustainability sector. Build and maintain high-value relationships that advance the organization’s mission and goal.
• Act as a liaison between the Executive Group, Leadership Team, Senior Manager Forum and communications sub-functions to ensure clear communication of organisational priorities and progress.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with key industry stakeholders, governmental bodies, and NGO partners to promote Better Cotton’s mission. 

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Lead the development and tracking of KPIs to measure the effectiveness of communications activities, ensuring regular reporting to the Executive Group and Board of Directors.
• Ensure that all communications activities are aligned with Better Cotton’s mission and strategic objectives, providing regular updates and progress reports.

Budgeting and Resource Allocation 

• Oversee budget management for the Communications Function, ensuring effective resource allocation and financial accountability. 
• Develop strategic workplans and KPIs for the function, monitoring progress and ensuring the delivery of high-impact work aligned with organisational goals. 

Accountability for Results

• Accountable for ensuring that Better Cotton’s global communications strategy drives tangible outcomes, enhancing the organization’s profile, recognition, and impact in the sustainability sector.
• Accountable for protecting and enhancing the organisation’s reputation, ensuring that all communications efforts contribute to a consistent, positive public image.
• Ensure that KPIs are met across communications functions, with a focus on results that align with Better Cotton’s strategic objectives and growth plans.

Profile

The selected candidate will have the following skills, knowledge, and experience:

Essential

• Proven experience in a senior-level communications leadership role within a global organisation, particularly in the sustainability, agriculture, or textile sectors.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing high-impact communications strategies.
• Experience managing media relations at a global level, with a track record of securing coverage in major outlets.
• Expertise in crisis communications, issues management, and public advocacy.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience leading geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills, with the ability to represent the organisation at high-level global events. 
• Proven ability to influence at the executive level and contribute to organisational strategy. 
• Experience in managing and overseeing budgetary allocations and developing financially sustainable communications initiatives.

Desirable

• Knowledge of sustainability standards, particularly in sustainable agriculture or textile industries. 
• Experience working with multinational teams in a fast-paced, global environment.
• Experience in policy advocacy and legislative engagement in sustainability. 

What we offer

• Flexible working arrangements, with core hours from 10 am to 4 pm local time  
• Continuous learning and professional development opportunities.  
• 25 days paid annual leave, plus 8-9 Bank Holidays and a further 3 days off over Christmas  
• Enhanced parental leave  
• Opportunity to work from anywhere in the world for up to one month per year  
• Positive, inclusive, and dynamic working environment with a focus on innovation and creativity. 
• The opportunity to lead transformative change in the world’s largest cotton sustainability program.

Working arrangements

The position is full-time (40 hours per week) role, with the flexibility to be based in key locations such as London or Geneva. Some domestic and international travel may be required. Applicants must have the right to work in the advertised location.

Apply now

Interested applicants with the required attributes are asked to send, in English, a detailed CV and a brief cover letter (2 pages maximum) to Better Cotton by applying via this link.

Application deadline:  28.11.2024

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates short-listed for interviews will be contacted. Better Cotton is currently unable to provide sponsorship for work permits, and candidates need to have a pre-existing right to work in the location where they will be based. 

Our hiring process

Initial Screening:

Applicant screening is a crucial step in our recruitment process. This stage may involve a brief phone interview or video call to evaluate your suitability for the position. During this screening, we review resumes and cover letters, and may conduct initial background checks to narrow down the pool of applicant. Internal candidates are encouraged to inform their line manager about their application to promote transparency and help facilitate a smooth transition if selected.

Interviews:

If you successfully pass the initial screening, you will be invited for interviews. The interview process at Better Cotton may include one or more rounds of interviews with various stakeholders, such as the hiring manager, team members, and potentially senior management. As an internal candidate, you may have discussions regarding your current responsibilities and how they will transition to the new position.

Assessment and Testing: 

Depending on the role, you might be required to complete assessments, technical tests, or skills evaluations to gauge your competency and suitability for the position. Internal candidates may have the option to demonstrate their existing skills through current job performance or past project outcomes.

Reference Checks: 

Once you progress further in the process, reference checks are conducted to validate your work history, skills, and qualifications, and for some roles, your education and criminal history. Internal candidates may be asked for references from current or previous supervisors within Better Cotton to provide insights into their performance and capabilities.

Offer stage:

After completing interviews, assessments, and reference checks, the hiring team evaluates your performance and fit for the role. If you are selected and your references are relevant and satisfactory, you will receive a formal job offer letter outlining the terms of employment, compensation, benefits, and any other relevant details. For internal candidates, the offer process may include a discussion about how your transition to the new role will be managed and any support needed for a smooth handover.

About Better Cotton

Better Cotton is the world’s largest cotton sustainability programme. Our 200+ colleagues of 37+ nationalities are united by a shared passion and commitment to achieving the Better Cotton mission: to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment. In challenging times, we are meeting the challenge head on. Through our network of field-level partners trained 2.8 million farmers last season - from the smallest to the largest - in 22 countries in more sustainable farming practices. A quarter of the world’s cotton is now grown under the Better Cotton Standard.  

The organisation has just launched a first-of-its-kind traceability solution for the fashion and textile sectors. The solution has been developed over three years and will provide visibility of cotton’s journey through the supply chain by logging stakeholder input on the Better Cotton Platform.  

We have united the industry’s stakeholders behind our efforts, from ginners and spinners to brand owners, civil society organisations and governments. Better Cotton’s members include many of the world’s leading retailers and brands, such as IKEA, adidas, H&M, and Gap Inc. Everyone who cares about cotton and its sustainable future can now be part of something better. 

About our Values

The post holder will be expected to operate in line with our workplace values which are:  

• Trustworthy (including honest, transparent, credible)  
• As having Integrity (including responsible, authentic)  
• Positive (including problem-solving, pragmatic) 
• Engaging (including adaptable, inclusive, holistic)  
• Daring (including courageous, innovative, game-changing)  

Being you @ Better Cotton

Better Cotton is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to good practice and transparency in the management of natural, human, and financial resources.

We have a zero-tolerance approach to any attitudes or behaviours that put children or adults at risk of harm. Safeguarding incidents are acts of serious misconduct and are grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal and referral to relevant authorities for criminal prosecution. Therefore, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.