Senior Ethical Trade Executive Programme Manager (Full time-1 year-Fixed term contract, with po[...]

Ethical Trade and Environmental Sustainability at Primark 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

• 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.
• 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.
• Lead programme‑level budgeting, forecasting, financial tracking, and payments, driving strong value‑for‑money outcomes.
• 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.
• 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

Your wellbeing is our top priority. Healthcare, pension, and potential bonus. 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and the option to buy 5 more days.

What You’ll Bring

We want everyone to feel valued – bring your authentic self to work, along with the key experience and abilities for this role. 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 managing 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.
• Experience of managing and scrutinising budgets effectively.
• Ability to manipulate, assess and present data effectively.
• 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.
• Ability to make effective decisions based on a balanced appraisal of options and evidence.

Desirable

• Knowledge of and experience working on projects tackling environmental and social sustainability issues.
• Knowledge and experience of how global supply chains work, including their challenges.
• Knowledge and experience of the cotton to clothing supply chain and/or other agricultural supply chains.
• Knowledge and experience of South Asian and/or other developing country business environments and operating practices.
• Knowledge and experience of how Social Enterprises/Non‑Governmental Organisations work and of working with them.
• Knowledge and experience of sustainability standards.
• Knowledge and experience of assurance processes and ESG reporting expectations.

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 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.