Senior Ethical Trade Executive Programme Manager

Because you can see how we can be better.  Innovate, your way.  

Ethical Trade and Environmental Sustainability at Primark

This role provides an exciting opportunity to help achieve Primark’s social and environmental sustainability commitments.

The Programme Manager plays a pivotal role in the delivery and evolution of the Primark Cotton Project (PCP), Primark’s flagship ethical trade and sustainability programme.

The PCP is an award‑winning, long‑term initiative operating across multiple countries, supporting around 300,000 cotton farmers in South Asia through training and wider programme interventions. The programme is central to Primark’s responsible sourcing commitments and is entering an important next phase of development.

This is an influential role within Primark’s Ethical Trade and Environmental Sustainability team. You will be responsible for core aspects of programme management, ensuring robust delivery, governance and oversight. The remit will evolve over time and includes contracting, financial oversight, planning, partner management, communications and priority programme workstreams.

The role requires a proactive, highly organised self‑starter with strong judgement, excellent stakeholder management skills and the confidence to work across complex internal and external environments.

This role is a Full time - 1-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension.

What You’ll Do as Senior Ethical Trade Executive Primark Cotton Project (Programme Manager)

In your role, you’ll collaborate with different people across a range of skillsets. Here’s a flavour of your day-to-day:  

Programme delivery & governance

• Lead programme planning, ensuring effective processes, workplans and key performance indicators are in place, covering internal work and that of our delivery partners.
• Own delivery tracking against agreed plans and milestones, identifying and addressing risks and issues proactively.
• Help shape and maintain effective programme governance, working with colleagues across functions to ensure clarity, accountability and strong decision‑making.
• Prepare and present high‑quality programme updates and papers for internal forums, steering groups and senior stakeholders.

Partner management

• Lead improvement of the processes required to effectively contract external partners
• Provide expert advice and support to colleagues on contracting effectively
• Support management of relationships with key implementing partners, monitor performance against contractual commitments and support continuous improvement.

Financial & resource management

• Lead programme‑level budgeting, forecasting, financial tracking, and payments, driving strong value‑for‑money outcomes.
• Lead financial review of main partner budget proposals and planned expenditure.

Communications & continuous improvement

• Develop and deliver a clear approach to communicating programme impact and learning internally and externally, including reports, presentations and case studies.
• Coordinate input into corporate reporting such as under the UK Modern Slavery Act
• Lead development of briefing for senior staff to communicate the programme’s impact effectively
• Manage investigations into grievance cases concerning the programme’s operations
• Supporting cross-business coordination

Data, reporting & impact

• Oversee collection, management and quality assurance of programme data and learning.
• Analyse and interpret data to inform planning, decision‑making and programme evolution.
• Contribute to impact measurement and continuous improvement of programme monitoring approaches.

What You’ll Get  

The work you do shapes the impact we have. We’re focused on providing you with the culture to reach your potential. Your wellbeing is our top priority.:    

Let’s talk lifestyle: Healthcare, pension, and potential bonus. 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and if you want, you can buy 5 more. 

What You’ll Bring   

Here at Primark, we want everyone to feel valued – so please bring your authentic self to work, of course with some other key experience and abilities for this role in particular: 

We recognise that no candidate will meet every requirement listed. If your experience aligns with most of the role and you are motivated by the purpose and ambition of the Primark Cotton Project, we encourage you to apply.

Essential

• Significant experience manging large, complex programmes
• Strong project management capability, including partner and contract management, planning and  governance
• Effective stakeholder management with the ability to work effectively with and influence a range of different stakeholders, from different backgrounds and of differing seniority
• Finance – experience of managing and scrutinising budgets effectively
• Data management – ability to manipulate, assess and present data effectively
• Communications – ability to communicate complex issues clearly and effectively
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with confidence producing data‑led presentations and reports.
• Calm, resilient and proactive - able to navigate ambiguity, shifting priorities and sensitive issues with professionalism.
• Decision making – ability to make effective decisions based on a balanced appraisal of options and evidence

Desirable

• Sustainability – knowledge of and experience working on projects tackling environmental and social sustainability issues
• Supply chain – knowledge and experience of how global supply chains work, including their challenges
• Cotton – knowledge and experience of the cotton to clothing supply chain and/or other agricultural supply chains.
• South Asia – knowledge and experience of South Asian and / or other developing country  business environments and operating practices
• Social Enterprise / Non-Governmental Organisations – knowledge and experience of how these organisations work and of working with them
• Standards – knowledge and experience of sustainability standards
• Sustainability reporting – knowledge and experience of assurance processes and ESG reporting expectations.

Excited? Good. Because it’s energising to put your skills to work, in a growing global business committed to encouraging people to express themselves – and feel a sense of belonging. Apply to be part of Primark’s future, today… and enjoy career growth, our way.   

About Primark  

At Primark, people matter. They’re the beating heart of our business and the reason we’ve grown from our first store in Dublin in 1969 to a £9bn+ turnover business a over 80,000 colleagues and over 440 stores in 17 countries today. Our values run through everything we do. In essence, we're Caring and always strive to put people first. We're also Dynamic, bravely pushing the boundaries to stay ahead. And finally, we succeed Together.    

If you need any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request, during your recruitment journey, such as extended time or breaks between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, mobility access, or assistive technology please contact your talent acquisition specialist.    

All offers of employment are subject to background checks, including right to work, reference education and for some roles criminal, and financial checks. If you have any concerns, please reach out to our talent acquisition team to discuss.  

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