Program Director - LABS

• Ensure operational excellence in all LABS countries
• Manage a multi country program delivery and delivery of the LABS 2030 strategy.
• Responsible for financial management, budgeting and resource allocation.
• Building and leading a team of local leaders and talent development.

Strategic Outreach & Engagement

• Create strategic partnerships with other safety initiatives, ministries, retailers, brands, multinational organizations, engineering firms, academia and universities to enhance LABS credibility and expand its geographic/sectoral reach.
• Lead global outreach efforts to engage new brands, retailers, and industry stakeholders.
• Represent LABS at international forums, conferences, and industry events to promote the initiatives mission and impact.

Partnership Development

• Identify, initiate, and manage strategic partnerships with industry associations, civil society organizations, and multilateral institutions.

• Collaborate closely with the LABS country teams to build and strengthen capacities to embed the LABS Standards locally.
• Manage a transition roadmap for country adoption of safety management practices and advocate for local policy adoption while considering the operational aspects of this.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including, brands and retailers, industry leaders, government officials, civil society, and other partners.

Cross-Country Coordination

• Work closely with LABS country teams to ensure alignment of global outreach efforts with local implementation.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice exchange across countries and regions.

Who you are.

• You are a strategic and adaptive leader who thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Effectively balance multiple priorities and manage diverse tasks across different country contexts and operational demands.
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities, remaining solution-oriented while maintaining focus on long-term goals.
• Be able to build trust and maintain open communication with stakeholdersnavigating diverse perspectives and occasionally conflicting interests with diplomacy, transparency, and integrity.
• You are energized by collaboration and impact-driven work, with a natural ability to connect strategy with implementation in a dynamic international setting.

What you bring.

• Minimum 15 years of experience (10 + years at senior leadership positions) in stakeholder engagement, partnerships, or business development, preferably in the apparel, textile and footwear sector.
• Experience with health and safety, technical safety programs and muti stakeholder initiatives.
• Demonstrable ESG, policy, or labour rights knowledge.

A challenging, pivotal role within an impacting, international organisation.

The compensation and benefits package will follow IDHs policies in the country of employment, ensuring consistency with our global approach while reflecting local conditions.