Chief Standards System Officer

Textile Exchange is seeking a strategic and experienced Chief Standards System Officer (CSSO) to lead the vision, development, and global implementation of our Materials Matter standards system, while also overseeing our existing suite of material-specific standards. This role will guide the evolution and delivery of raw material and supply chain criteria, assurance and certification models, traceability and chain of custody systems, and claims governance. The CSSO will also be responsible for building out internal capacity and co-leading the development of recognition partnerships with the materials engagement team with aligned sustainability standards, ensuring Textile Exchange acts as a platform that brings together aligned standards and stakeholders, supporting coherence and progress without creating unnecessary barriers.

We are looking for someone who is excited to be part of an organization doing standards in an innovative way - unifying systems, embedding outcome-focused criteria, and co-creating change with stakeholders. The CSSO will help lead the strategic transformation of our standards into a globally credible, science-informed, and regionally grounded framework that supports producers, enables brand accountability, prioritises usability through user-centred systems, and drives measurable progress on climate, nature, and livelihoods.

While leading the Standards department, the CSSO will work in close collaboration with our Executive and Senior Leadership Teams to ensure the standards system is not only technically credible, but also practical, regionally adaptable, and aligned with stakeholder needs. This includes driving regional rollout strategies and managing implementation risk across diverse geographies and production systems.

Textile Exchange is not just a standards body; we also house one of the sector’s leading impact data and thought leadership teams, a dynamic engagement department working with 700+ members, and a growing network of producers, civil society actors, and technical experts. As part of this ecosystem, the CSSO will ensure our standards system serves as a driver of transformation across the full value chain - from Tier 4 producers to global brands.

As a senior leader reporting to the CEO, the CSSO will be responsible for maintaining the credibility, scalability, and global relevance of the standards system, while ensuring strong risk management, outcome alignment, and regional responsiveness in a rapidly evolving global context.

• Strategic Leadership & Vision: Strengthen the long-term vision and direction for Textile Exchange’s unified, outcome-oriented standards system. Serve as the internal and external champion for standards credibility and integrity, scientific rigor, practical application, and measurable climate and nature outcomes. Ensure alignment with organizational strategy and our initiatives, including impact, policy, and engagement objectives.
• Standards System Oversight: Oversee the development, maintenance, and refinement of raw material and supply chain criteria, integrating both practice-based and outcome-based approaches. Oversee the assurance and certification system, including protocols, auditor oversight, and grievance mechanisms. Advance traceability and chain of custody systems, with a particular emphasis on digital traceability solutions that enhance transparency while reducing friction and unnecessary barriers to entry for supply chain actors. Oversee the strategic transformation of how chain of custody is designed and implemented to balance system robustness with practical accessibility, especially in complex or resource-constrained settings. Govern a robust and transparent claims system and develop pathways for mutual recognition with aligned standards. Ensure that claims and assurance models are responsive to stakeholder needs and regulatory trends, while reinforcing system integrity and trust.
• Regional Rollout & Implementation: In partnership with the engagement team, provide strategic leadership and guidance for regional rollout strategies of standards adoption—ensuring contextualised implementation across geographies, while supporting regional teams and partners in building capacity, engaging local stakeholders, and advancing accessible certification models. Integrate learnings from pilots, audits, and producer feedback into continuous system improvement.
• Risk & Integrity Management: Ensure risk management across all areas of the standards system that aligns with our organization-wide risk management strategies. Identify and mitigate operational, reputational, and compliance risks, in alignment with ISEAL best practices. Ensure standards development remains fit-for-purpose through structured review, revision, and governance processes.
• Organizational Integration & Collaboration: Partner with the Climate & Nature Impact leadership to embed scientific and impact-aligned metrics in the standards system. Collaborate with the Engagement & Partnerships leadership to ensure stakeholder needs, motivations, and barriers are reflected. Contribute to strategic planning, communications, and leadership alignment as a key member of the senior leadership team.
• External Leadership & Representation: Represent Textile Exchange at events, global coalitions, policy forums, and technical working groups as well as with key stakeholders including standards organizations and assurance providers. Cultivate strategic partnerships that advance harmonization, mutual recognition, and shared impact outcomes. Engage funders, media, and stakeholders to advocate for Textile Exchange’s role in enabling system transformation.
• Team and Organizational Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team that reflects the organization’s values and strategic priorities. Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that supports innovation, accountability, and professional growth. Promote alignment and integration with other departments (Climate and Nature, Engagement, Communications, Strategy, and Operations) to deliver results across the organization’s three core functions: Impact, Engagement, and Standards.

• A minimum of 10+ years of senior leadership in sustainability standards and systems, with a preference for experience in raw materials, agriculture, or land-based sourcing.
• Demonstrated experience working with or within organizations that operate across complex stakeholder landscapes - including producers, brands, governments, NGOs, and civil society.
• A strong understanding of ISEAL codes, climate/nature metrics, and multi-stakeholder governance.
• Experience with regional implementation and risk-based system rollout.
• Proven experience overseeing digital traceability platforms and the evolution of chain of custody frameworks.
• Ideally has worked with recognition frameworks and has experience with incentive or premium programs.
• Strong track record of managing multi-disciplinary, global teams.

• Proven experience developing and executing strategy across functions, particularly in alignment with impact, policy, and stakeholder engagement goals.
• Systems thinker with strong integration skills and the ability to guide coherent cross-departmental implementation.
• Adept at navigating complexity, balancing scientific rigor with practical applicability.
• Collaborative, with a strong ability to influence and align stakeholders internally and externally.

• Mission-driven and passionate about creating meaningful, measurable change in the global textile industry.
• Committed to equity, inclusion, and co-creating solutions with global stakeholders.
• Credible and thoughtful communicator with strong facilitation and representation skills.

• Visionary and systems-oriented.
• Practical and context-sensitive.
• Data- and impact-informed.
• Collaborative and inclusive.
• Courageous and transparent in decision-making.

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, mobilising leaders through attainable strategies, proven solutions, and a driven community.

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 flexible to work across all time zones as needed.

• Reports to CEO
• Full Time Position, 40 Hours a Week
• Location: Virtual/Remote
• Annual Salary Range: $190,000 - $240,000 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.

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.