Business Execution & Sustainability Manager in London

Are you passionate about supporting the CEO to drive sustainable change across global supply chains? Acre is proudly working with CottonConnect - an innovative enterprise with the social purpose of working with retailers and brands to make the world's cotton supply chains more sustainable. They work with some of the world's leading brands and retailers to transform cotton production and manufacturing stages to deliver ethical, effective, and efficient supply chains. Transforming the lives of farming communities, our ambition is to work to improve the livelihoods of more than a million people in cotton farming communities.

The Business Execution and Sustainability Manager serves as a trusted partner and strategic enabler to the CEO, ensuring smooth coordination across leadership priorities, governance, business development, and organisational communication. This senior role requires exceptional judgment, discretion, and business acumen to support the CEO in driving CottonConnect's mission, governance, and strategic objectives. This role combines the executive assistant's traditional responsibilities - calendar, travel, administration, and document management - with strategic exposure and coordination across CottonConnect's global operations.

Key Thematic Areas & Responsibilities

• Executive and Operational Support
  • Act as the right hand to the CEO, providing day-to-day administrative, scheduling, and coordination support while proactively managing strategic and business-critical priorities.
  • Manage the CEO's inbox, calendar, travel plans, and document flow to ensure efficient time and information management.
  • Lead preparation for CEO engagements - including strategic briefs, talking points, presentations, and key data insights.
  • Support in long-term planning, business reviews, and monitoring progress against organisational strategy and priorities.
  • Anticipate the CEO's needs and ensure she is well-prepared for meetings, travel, conferences, and external engagements.
  • Coordinate daily briefing packs, travel itineraries, expense claims, and meeting documentation for the CEO.
  • Manage sensitive information with the highest degree of confidentiality and professionalism.
• Team and Office Administration
  • Oversee smooth functioning of the CEO Office and provide administrative support to the UK office where needed.
  • Manage one direct report and ensure delivery of day-to-day office operations, including scheduling, logistics, document filing, and internal coordination.
  • Ensure all administrative systems (travel bookings, expense approvals, vendor coordination) are efficient and compliant.
  • Support onboarding of senior leaders and maintain updated contact databases and organisational records.
• Governance & Board Management
  • Ensure smooth execution of all Board, Committee, and Shareholder meetings.
  • Manage communication, agenda, and documentation for Board and Finance Committee meetings; coordinate logistics, circulate papers, and record minutes and action items.
  • Maintain a governance calendar ensuring all deliverables are tracked and completed on time.
  • Build strong relationships with Board members and act as a key contact for their communication with the CEO and leadership team.
• Business & Financial Coordination
  • Support routine financial administration including tracking approvals, expense reimbursements, and payment requests.
  • Support the CEO and Business Development team in preparing proposals, decks, and partnership presentations.
  • Maintain an overview of key projects, funding opportunities, and potential client relationships.
  • Represent CottonConnect at select conferences, roundtables, or partner meetings as required.
• Conferences, Events & External Engagements
  • Oversee CottonConnect's participation in key global and regional conferences - securing sponsorships, speaking slots, and ensuring an impactful presence.
  • Provide logistical and administrative support for the CEO's participation in conferences, events, and external meetings.
  • Support CEO in her speaking engagements: ensuring that note brief, speaker notes other documentation are present.
  • Maintain a forward-looking annual calendar of strategic events and ensure timely preparation.

Key Requirements

• Postgraduate degree in Business Administration, Management, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in executive support, administration, or corporate governance - ideally within international NGOs, sustainability, or consulting sectors.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, priorities, and stakeholders with precision and professionalism.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with demonstrated experience in creating impactful decks and reports.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance, financial coordination, and organisational strategy.

At CottonConnect, we are dedicated to cultivating a workplace that celebrates diversity and fosters an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued and respected. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is woven into the fabric of our company culture. We actively seek diverse perspectives and backgrounds to drive innovation and creativity. Our ongoing initiatives include hiring people from minority groups, providing equal opportunity for training & growth, as well as celebrating the presence of diverse background employees, aimed at creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is not only a strength but also essential for our success. Join us in our journey to build a workplace that reflects the rich tapestry of the world we live in.

If this role resonates with you, please apply directly or contact Aysen Naylor at aysen.naylor@acre.com for more information.