Head CSR & Sustainability

Job description / Role

Job Title: Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Company: Apparel Group

About Us:
Apparel Group is a leading retail company dedicated to making a positive impact on society and the environment through sustainable and responsible business practices. Our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is integral to our brand's identity. We are seeking a dynamic and creative Head of CSR and Sustainability to lead our efforts in Dubai.

Position Summary:
As the Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, you will play a pivotal role in advancing and managing our CSR initiatives. You will be responsible for developing and executing strategies to drive sustainable and socially responsible practices across our organization. This role involves collaborating with different departments and brands to design and implement CSR programs tailored to their unique needs.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy Development:
- Create, implement, and refine the CSR and sustainability strategy in alignment with Apparel Group's vision and values. Develop short-term and long-term goals for CSR initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Collaborate with various departments and brands within the company to design and execute CSR initiatives tailored to their objectives and priorities.
- Foster great networking and relationships, especially with government bodies and renowned companies.

Sustainability Initiatives:
- Lead efforts to drive sustainability and environmental responsibility within the company.
- Propose, plan, and implement environmental and social initiatives to reduce our ecological footprint, including sustainable sourcing, product lifecycle management, and waste reduction.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Reporting:
- Develop and manage ESG reporting frameworks to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Track and report on key sustainability metrics and progress toward targets.

Carbon Footprint Reduction:
- Develop and implement strategies to measure and reduce the company's carbon footprint, including energy-efficient practices and renewable energy use.

Community Engagement:
- Identify and establish partnerships with local organizations, NGOs, and community groups to contribute to social well-being and address local needs.
- Strengthen community ties through active engagement.

Compliance and Reporting:
- Ensure compliance with local CSR regulations and reporting requirements.
- Prepare and submit CSR reports to relevant authorities and stakeholders.
- Navigate local regulations with expertise.

Stakeholder Communication:
- Effectively communicate our CSR efforts to internal and external stakeholders, including customers, employees, suppliers, and the public.
- Maintain transparent and positive stakeholder relations.

Innovation:
- Continuously seek creative and innovative approaches to CSR, finding new ways to make a positive impact. Bring innovation to the forefront of CSR initiatives.

Budget Management:
- Manage the budget allocated for CSR activities, ensuring efficient use of resources.
- Implement cost-effective and impactful CSR programs.

Qualifications:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, Business Administration, or related disciplines).
- Proven experience in leading CSR initiatives, sustainability programs, or related roles in the retail industry.
- A deep understanding of CSR principles, sustainability practices, and local regulations.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to plan, execute, and evaluate CSR projects.
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work with diverse teams and stakeholders. Demonstrate great networking abilities.
- Creative thinking and problem-solving skills to develop innovative CSR initiatives.
- Knowledge of the retail industry and its social and environmental impacts.
- Preferably located in Dubai or willing to relocate.

Why Apparel Group?
- Join a forward-thinking retail conglomerate committed to making a positive impact on society and the environment.
- Collaborate with a passionate team dedicated to CSR and sustainability.
- Play a pivotal role in shaping CSR initiatives and driving meaningful change within the organization.

If you are a creative, passionate, and experienced professional looking to make a difference in the retail industry, we invite you to apply for the position of Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at Apparel Group. Help us lead the way in creating a sustainable and socially responsible future.

About the Company

The Apparel Group is a global fashion and lifestyle brand conglomerate residing on the crossroads of a modern economy - Dubai, UAE. The mercurial growth in the last 17 years has been by acquiring a host of world class fashion labels from around the world - Nine West, Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole, Aldo & Tim Hortons just to name a few.

Today the group caters to thousands of eager shoppers through its over 1530 stores, 75 International brands and employing 12,000 multi cultural staff in over 4 continents. Apparel believes in turning dreams in to reality and we give everyone - our customers, our stakeholders, our employees - an equal opportunity to do so.

Apparel group has carved its strong presence not only in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia but opened thriving gateways to market in India, South Africa, Poland, Singapore, Jordan, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Additionally, clear strategies are in place to enter emerging markets such as Hungary, Pakistan, Egypt and Philippines.