Ethical Trade Executive

Ethical Trade Executive Social Impact

Because you can see how we can be better.

Innovate, your way.

Ethical Trade and Environmental Sustainability at Primark

The Ethical Trade Executive will play a key role in delivering Primark’s mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) across our global supply chain. This role supports the design, implementation, and oversight of frameworks, policies, and processes that strengthen how we identify, assess, and manage human rights risks, and remediate impacts.

Working within a central team and a global matrix structure, this role provides vital research, analysis, stakeholder engagement, partnership management and coordination across multiple human rights thematic areas. You will collaborate closely with regional Ethical Trade and Environmental Sustainability (ETES) teams, global functions, and external partners to help establish and embed consistent, credible, and impactful HRDD practices across the business.

What You’ll Do as an Ethical Trade Executive Social Impact

In your role, you’ll collaborate with different people across a range of skillsets. Here’s a flavour of your day-to-day:  

Human Rights Thematic Strategies (~60%)

Contribute to the development of thematic strategies across human right issues including but not limited to; Social Dialogue and Freedom of Association, Grievance Mechanisms, Forced Labour, Gender-Based Harassment and Violence, Child Labour, Occupational Health and Safety.

Activities include:

• Conduct in‑depth research to identify international standards, emerging human rights risks, and industry best practices, translating findings into actionable guidance.
• Analyse current and upcoming HRDD legislation to determine operational impacts and support consistent global implementation.
• Collect, analyse, and present data to inform decision‑making, reporting, and continuous improvement of human rights due diligence processes.
• Support the development, review, and implementation of human rights policies, remediation frameworks, and materials that embed consistent practices across regions.
• Manage and coordinate external partnerships, including partner mapping, drafting Terms of Reference, monitoring deliverables, and reviewing technical outputs.
• Contribute to budget planning, implementation reviews, and cross‑team consultation to ensure alignment, identify challenges, and strengthen human rights outcomes.

Capacity Building (~10%)

Facilitate training and knowledge sharing across the ETES team, specifically the regional teams, delivered internally or through external partners.

Stakeholder Engagement (~10%)

Building effective collaborative and coordination working across different parts of the ETES team and supporting relationship management with external partners. Supporting cross-functional engagement to strengthen integration of HRDD processes across the wider business.

Represent social impact HRDD workstreams in internal and external meetings.

Reporting (~10%)

Support the development of content for internal updates, leadership briefings, and external disclosures (e.g., sustainability reporting, legislative reporting).

Prepare concise, accurate materials that reflect progress, risks, and impact.

Support Programme and Partnership Portfolio Management (~10%)

Support regional ETES teams through all stages of project management, including:

• Develop project proposals, Terms of Reference, and technical inputs to support the design, launch, and ongoing management of programmes and partnerships.
• Review project progress reports to assess implementation, identify risks, and support course‑correction where needed.
• Monitor programme delivery, capture learnings, and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Conduct budget reviews and support financial oversight across programmes.
• Manage external partners to ensure high‑quality delivery, alignment with objectives, and timely reporting.
• Support supplier engagement, business buy‑in, and contribute to Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) to strengthen programme effectiveness.

What You’ll Get 

People are at the heart of what we do here, so it’s essential we provide you with the right environment to perform at your very best. Let’s talk lifestyle.

Let’s talk lifestyle: 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and if you want, you can buy 5 more. Because Primark is all about tailoring to you, we offer Tax Saver Tickets, fitness centre, and a subsidised cafeteria. 

What You’ll Bring  

We want every person in our organisation to feel like they’re making a key contribution. Here are some of the experiences and skills you’ll need for the role:

• A strong academic foundation supported by hands‑on experience addressing human rights issues within global supply chains.
• Proven project‑management capability with the ability to organise, prioritise, and deliver high‑quality work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Excellent research, analytical, communication, and organisational skills, with a meticulous attention to detail across multiple tasks.
• A collaborative, proactive team mindset—bringing a positive “can‑do” attitude, strong relationship‑building skills, and confidence communicating with senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word and PowerPoint, alongside the ability to manage confidential information accurately and professionally.

The ability to identify risks, escalate concerns appropriately, and contribute thoughtful, practical solutions—enhanced by international and cross‑cultural working experience.

Excited? Good. Because it’s energising to put your skills to work, in a growing global business committed to encouraging people to express themselves – and feel a sense of belonging. Apply to be part of Primark’s future, today… and enjoy career growth, our way.

About Primark 

At Primark, people matter. They’re the beating heart of our business and the reason we’ve grown from our first store in Dublin in 1969 to a £9bn+ turnover business and over 80,000 colleagues and over 440 stores in 17 countries today. Our values run through everything we do. In essence, we're Caring and always strive to put people first. We're also Dynamic, bravely pushing the boundaries to stay ahead. And finally, we succeed Together.  

If you need any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request, during your recruitment journey, such as extended time or breaks between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, mobility access, or assistive technology please contact your talent acquisition specialist. 

All offers of employment are subject to background checks, including right to work, reference education and for some roles criminal, and financial checks. If you have any concerns, please reach out to our talent acquisition team to discuss. 

Our fashion isn’t one-size-fits-all and neither is our culture. Primark promotes equal employment opportunity, we strive to create an inclusive workplace where people can be themselves, access opportunities and thrive together.

If you require extra support at any stage of the selection process, please get in touch with our team at removingbarriers@primark.co.uk.