Posted July 22, 2022

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Role: California Project Coordinator
Organization: Apparel Impact Institute
Reports To: President
Type: Independent Contractor, 20 hours per week
Location: Los Angeles, California

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) is a nonprofit collective founded in 2017 by four industry leaders: the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) and Target Corporation. The organization emerged organically as a result of a real need that apparel brands and retailers self-identified. Gap Inc., PVH Corp., Arvind Mills, HSBC, GIZ, Stichting DOEN and The Schmidt Family Foundation joined the founders in the first three years of start-up and organizational development.   Today we work with over 50 brands/retailers and their suppliers internationally. 

Aii identifies, funds and measures proven quality solutions to accelerate positive impact in the apparel and footwear industry. Aii programs focus on areas that result in positive environmental impact from the production of apparel and footwear products to improve the industry.  Our current strategic focus in climate action is helping the industry reach their Science Based Targets commitment.  

In June 2022, we announced the initial lead partners (H&M Group, Lululemon, H&M Foundation and The Schmidt Family Foundation) for a $250M Fashion Climate Fund, a catalytic grantmaking engine, to help the textile, apparel and footwear industries reach their science based targets commitment of reducing the supply chain’s CO2 emissions in half by 2030 and total decarbonization by 2050.

Our work has been recognized in Vogue, Business of Fashion, Forbes and many other globally recognized publications.  We are a fast-paced, entrepreneurial organization in growth-mode.  We need talented people who are willing to take initiative and roll up their sleeves from day one. Ideal persons for our organization and specifically this position will operate with confidence, maturity and tons of drive to get the job done in an efficient and timely manner.  For this role, the ideal person will be capable of moving quickly, dual-tracking timelines and pivoting when things change.  Preference will be given to candidates with experience working in textile, apparel and footwear industries. 

To learn more about Aii, visit https://apparelimpact.org and http://fashionclimatefund.org

CALIFORNIA PROJECT OVERVIEW

As the Textile, Apparel and Footwear sector continues to grow their engagement in reaching science-based targets commitments by 2030, with a goal of 45% CO2 emissions reductions in the supply chain, California provides a specific region of interest for identifying solutions, best practices and new financial tools and piloting them in farms and facilities where our apparel supply chain works. A part of the world known for innovation and technology, we believe California and Los Angeles specifically, can become a beta testing center for “what works” that Aii can carry forward into global regions where more concentration of fashion production, and C02 emissions, resides.   

Aii’s current work in California seeks to align Aii’s methodology of Clean by Design for facility level impact  to develop best practices and market insights for the greater L.A. area with additional considerations for the State of California, West Coast Region and potential leadership for the entire U.S. apparel sector.   Future work streams include:

• Creating a Roadmap to Net Zero for solutions for the California apparel sector supply chain, including researching the total investment opportunity to decarbonize the California apparel sector (from farm to store) 
• Building engagement with local stakeholders, suppliers, solution providers, fashion brands  and other strategic collaborators,  e.g. exploring further climate justice work in the greater LA area.
• Creating ongoing media and storytelling opportunities to illuminate leadership and drive greater industry and consumer engagement.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The California Project Coordinator will be responsible for managing and executing Aii’s strategy and ongoing partnership activities with an ecosystem of California based organizations, including apparel manufacturing facilities, local nonprofits, philanthropic funders, and government.  This role will support the development and maintenance of a portfolio of projects, strategies and tools for industry partners seeking to work towards environmental impact goals.  The Project Coordinator is responsible for formalizing Aii’s partnerships and alignment strategies to deliver tangible results and impact in Los Angeles and Greater California.  They will work closely with the President to deliver the intended outcomes for partnership engagement, program development, and fundraising.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with Aii President to create a strategy for Los Angeles and Greater California
• Build and lead a local partnership approach
• Convene local players for potential collaboration
• Align to the Aii Program team’s work in the facilities
• Work with Aii President on a fundraising strategy alongside existing funders and potential expansion of scope in Los Angeles and Greater California
• Take on project management of all of the above once developed  
• Manage all the local LA related meetings and events undertaken as part of this strategy and partnerships

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to thrive in remote, global working environment
• Demonstrated self-motivation, responsibility and problem solving capabilities
• Strong communication, relationship building and listening skills
• Bachelor’s / Master’s Degree 
• 5-7 years relevant experience preferred
• Fluent English – oral and written skills
• Ability to attend in person meetings with partners in Los Angeles
• Occasional travel outside of Los Angeles for meetings

Compensation will be commensurate with level of experience.

To apply please email cover letter and resume to jobs@apparelimpact.org with California Project Coordinator in the subject line.

Apparel Impact Institute is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.