Better Cotton Initiative

Better Cotton is the world’s largest cotton sustainability programme. Our mission: to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment. In challenging times, we are meeting the challenge head on. Through our network of field-level partners we have trained over 2.5 million farmers - from the smallest to the largest - in 23 countries in more sustainable farming practices.

A quarter of the world’s cotton is now grown under the Better Cotton Standard. We have united the industry’s stakeholders behind our efforts, from Senior ginners and spinners to brand owners, civil society organisations and governments. Everyone who cares about cotton and its sustainable future can now be part of something better.

About this role

Better Cotton is a global membership organisation with over 2,500 members from across the textile and apparel supply chain. Our members are key players in the sector and play a vital role in creating demand for more sustainable cotton. From civil society organisations to cotton traders to fabric mills and retailers and brands, our members are part of a global movement catalysing change with a shared goal of improving cotton production.

This role is focused on conceptualising, creating and delivering inspiring and engaging communications to our diverse membership base. The Communications Coordinator will ensure that the content we are delivering, across a variety of channels, is on message and supports Better Cotton’s strategic communications objectives. She/he will have a strong grasp of how the Better Cotton Standard System works as well as salient industry trends and priorities. The role requires the ability to work effectively across functions in a fast-paced environment.

The Communications Coordinator will:

• Contribute member communications outputs to the overall Organisational Communications Calendar detailing activities and key messages across a 12-to-18-month horizon and integrating targeted communications for specific member audiences.
• Manage email communications to members including the Monthly Member Update and Better Cotton Quarterly among others.
• Lead on the creation of other diverse communications outputs for members, briefing and collaborating with external copywriters and other contractors as necessary.
• Support on content creation and project management for organisational reports including the Annual and Impact Reports.
• Be a member of the core team delivering Better Cotton’s flagship event providing editorial support, project coordination and facilitating internal collaboration.
• Work closely with the Membership & Supply Chain Team to contribute content and messaging for diverse member engagement activities including webinars, workshops and in-person events as necessary.
• Review materials, messaging, training decks and webinar content produced by other functions, primarily Membership & Supply Chain, to ensure that they are accurate and on message.
• Proactively contribute the member communications’ perspective during team meetings, work planning retreats and other internal meetings.
• Lead on target audience segmentation, leveraging Salesforces and liaising with the IT and Membership & Supply Chain functions as necessary.
• Support on creating and maintaining engaging and relevant website content in line with organisational messaging priorities.
• Create a member webinar calendar over a 12-month horizon and coordinate the delivery of webinar, working closely with thematic leads across functions.
• Support the Communications Director in preparing resources for members when issues arise in the media and need clarification.
• Be the point of contact for the member claims team working with them to develop and maintain resources for members’ consumer-facing communications and storytelling.
• Maintain the member events tracker.
• As necessary and relevant to the role, ensure that internal processes including procurement are adhered to in a timely manner.

The selected candidate will have the following skills, knowledge, and

Experience:

Skills, Knowledge and Experience 

Essential

• Substantial experience in a communications or marketing role.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Ability to synthesise complex information and translate it into compelling and accessible language.
• Analytical thinker with strong problem solving skills.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people in a multi-cultural and team oriented environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Willingness to carry out administrative tasks as necessary.
• Project management skills.
• IT literacy including MS Suite. Experience with Mail Chimp and Saleforce a plus.
• Enjoys working in a fast paced and demanding environment with diverse teams and topics

Desirable

• Professional experience in sustainability -- within the textile and apparel sector a plus.
• Existing knowledge of sustainability standard systems.
• University degree, or equivalent higher education qualification, in Communications, Journalism, Writing or related area of study.

Working arrangements

The position is full-time (40 hours per week) and will be based in the London office. Better Cotton offers flexible working, with core hours being 10am – 4pm and the option to work from home one day per week.