Role Summary
As the Senior Ethical Trade Advisor for Urban Outfitters EU, you will serve as a strategic leader and subject matter expert dedicated to advancing ethical and human rights practices across our global supply chain. Reporting directly to the Head of Technical, Ethical and Sustainability, you will play a pivotal role in shaping URBN’s ethical trade strategy during a period of rapid regulatory evolution.
This role requires an experienced professional capable of navigating complex global supply chains, managing high-level stakeholder relationships, and mentoring a growing team to mitigate risk and drive systemic, positive changes.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of URBN EU’s ethical trade and human rights strategies, ensuring absolute alignment with impending and current global compliance laws.
- Oversee the evaluation of third‑party ethical audits, developing advanced risk‑mapping methodologies to identify, prioritise, and remediate systemic non‑compliance issues globally.
- Drive strategic supplier engagement programmes; partner with key vendors to move beyond basic compliance toward capacity building and ownership of worker welfare initiatives. Architect the framework for factory visits and worker‑voice initiatives. Lead critical remediation processes for high‑risk or complex non‑compliance cases, both domestically (UK) and internationally.
- Act as the primary liaison with external stakeholders, including NGOs, industry bodies (e.g., ETI), and legal counsel. Represent Urban Outfitters EU in industry‑wide collaborative initiatives.
- Design and deliver comprehensive internal training programmes for buying and sourcing teams to embed ethical trading into purchasing practices, alongside sophisticated external workshops for global suppliers.
- Mentor, guide, and support the professional development of junior team members, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing team environment.
What You’ll Need
- Progressive experience in ethical trade and human rights, preferably within the fashion, apparel, or retail sectors.
- Deep, up‑to‑date knowledge of international labour standards (ILO), human rights due diligence (HRDD), and EU forced labour legislation.
- Proven track record of influencing internal buying teams and external suppliers to balance commercial realities with ethical imperatives.
- Strong experience in managing complex remediation processes, dispute resolution, and addressing critical factory‑level violations.
- Advanced capability in managing large‑scale, cross‑functional projects and utilising supply‑chain data/software to drive insights and accountability.
- A deep understanding of the Urban Outfitters EU aesthetic and customer base, paired with a passion for driving authentic, systemic change within the lifestyle and fashion industry.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex compliance data clearly to leadership and external auditors alike.
The Perks
- Work‑life balance
- Flexible start and finish times
- Bring your dog to work
- Wellbeing
- Employees Assistance program to support with mental, physical and financial health
- Fully equipped free gym and on‑site wellness room in Brick Lane and 50% discount of external gym memberships
- Private Medical Insurance
- Employee Discount
- Up to 40% off at all URBN Brands!
- Community
- One paid day to either volunteer or fundraise for a charity of your choice
- Travel
- Cycle to work scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Continued Development
- We offer structured support within the business alongside continued learning and development
Equal Opportunity Statement
URBN is an Equal Opportunities Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, marital status, religion, race, or disability. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.
