Senior Director, Social and Environmental Responsibility

The Senior Director, Social and Environmental Responsibility will lead the development and execution of Tapestry's sustainability and ESG strategy, with a focus on ethical sourcing and human rights. Day-to-day, this involves overseeing supplier compliance programs, conducting human rights due diligence, and managing the environmental sustainability framework. You will be responsible for data collection, disclosure, and traceability to ensure transparency in supply chains. Supplier engagement and capacity building are key, as you will work with vendors to improve labor and environmental practices. You will also handle grievance mechanisms and crisis management, responding to incidents and mitigating risks. On a broader level, you will collaborate cross-functionally with teams across Coach, Kate Spade, and corporate functions to integrate sustainability into business operations. This includes working with sourcing, legal, communications, and brand teams. You will represent Tapestry in stakeholder engagements, including with NGOs, industry groups, and investors. Leading and developing a team is also part of the role, as you will manage sustainability professionals and foster a culture of responsibility. Ultimately, the goal is to drive continuous improvement in social and environmental performance, align with Tapestry's values of inclusivity and equity, and contribute to making the fashion industry more sustainable. You will be expected to set targets, track progress, and report on outcomes to senior leadership and external audiences.

You will deepen your expertise in human rights due diligence, ethical sourcing, and ESG strategy within a global apparel company. Tapestry's house of brands offers exposure to different business models and supply chains, which can broaden your understanding of sustainability challenges in fashion. You will likely gain experience in data disclosure and traceability, as the role involves managing ESG data and reporting. This could include learning new tools and frameworks for tracking and reporting, such as the Higg Index or other industry standards. The role also provides opportunities to develop leadership skills, as you will manage teams and collaborate cross-functionally. You may learn how to navigate complex stakeholder environments, including suppliers, NGOs, and investors. Crisis management and grievance mechanisms will give you hands-on experience in problem-solving and risk mitigation. Tapestry's emphasis on talent development suggests you will have access to mentorship and training programs. Additionally, working on supplier engagement and capacity building will enhance your ability to influence and drive change beyond your direct control. You might also gain exposure to emerging regulations, such as due diligence laws in various countries, which can be valuable for your career. Overall, the role offers a chance to build a comprehensive skill set in corporate sustainability at a senior level.

The ideal candidate likely has extensive experience in sustainability, ESG, or ethical sourcing, probably at least 10-15 years, with a significant portion in a leadership role. A background in apparel, retail, or consumer goods is beneficial due to the specific supply chain challenges. You should have direct experience with human rights due diligence, supplier audits, and compliance programs. Knowledge of environmental sustainability frameworks, such as setting science-based targets or circularity, is also important. A degree in sustainability, environmental science, business, or a related field is expected; a master's might be preferred. Soft skills are critical: you need to be a strategic thinker, able to see the big picture and anticipate trends. Strong interpersonal skills are essential for working with diverse stakeholders and influencing without authority. The competencies listed, like courage and dealing with ambiguity, indicate that you should be comfortable making tough decisions and navigating uncertainty. You also need to be a people developer, as the role likely involves managing a team and building capacity in others. Technical skills include data analysis and disclosure, as you will need to track metrics and report accurately. Experience with grievance mechanisms and crisis management is valuable. Certifications such as SA8000 or similar might be a plus. Above all, a genuine commitment to Tapestry's values of inclusivity and equity is important, as the company emphasizes these in its culture.

Tapestry receives many applications, so tailor your resume to show direct experience with the specific areas listed in the posting: ethical sourcing, human rights due diligence, and ESG strategy. Quantify results where possible, such as reduction of audit findings or improvements in supplier compliance rates. In your cover letter, reference Tapestry's responsibility page and explain how your values connect with the company's commitment to inclusivity and sustainability. For interview preparation, be ready to discuss hypothetical scenarios around supplier grievances or crisis management, as these are likely to be key parts of the role. Demonstrate your ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority, since the position requires collaboration across brands and regions. Given the senior level, expect questions about strategic agility and how you have developed teams. Prepare examples of how you have built capacity in suppliers or internal teams. Also, be prepared to talk about data and disclosure, as Tapestry likely reports on ESG metrics and you may need to ensure accuracy and transparency. Show that you understand the apparel industry's unique social and environmental challenges, such as supply chain traceability and labor rights. Finally, align your answers with Tapestry's competencies like courage and creativity, which are explicitly listed. Be authentic and specific; generic answers about passion for sustainability will not set you apart.

This role focuses on the social and environmental aspects of Tapestry's sustainability agenda, with a strong emphasis on ethical sourcing and human rights. You will likely work on ensuring that suppliers comply with labor standards, implementing due diligence processes, and addressing grievances. Environmental sustainability will involve reducing the company's footprint, possibly through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable materials. Tapestry's commitment to making the fashion industry sustainable suggests a focus on circularity and responsible sourcing. Governance is also relevant, as you will contribute to ESG disclosure and reporting, ensuring accuracy and compliance with frameworks like SASB or GRI. Stakeholder engagement is a key part, as you will interact with NGOs, investors, and industry initiatives. The role may involve setting science-based targets and tracking progress against them. Social impact, such as community engagement and diversity in the supply chain, could also be part of the scope. Given Tapestry's house of brands, you will need to align sustainability efforts across Coach and Kate Spade, which may have different product lines and supply chains. The focus will be on driving continuous improvement and integrating sustainability into core business strategies, rather than treating it as a separate initiative.

One challenge might be driving change in a large, decentralized organization like Tapestry, where brands like Coach and Kate Spade operate with some autonomy. Aligning sustainability goals across brands and regions could require significant influence and negotiation. Another challenge is the complexity of global supply chains; ensuring ethical sourcing and human rights compliance across many tiers of suppliers is difficult, especially in countries with weak enforcement. You may face resistance from suppliers or internal stakeholders who prioritize cost and speed over sustainability. Data and traceability are also challenging; getting accurate and complete data from suppliers can be hard, and disclosure requirements are evolving. You might need to balance transparency with competitive concerns. Crisis management, such as responding to a supplier scandal or environmental incident, can be high-pressure and require quick, decisive action. The role also involves dealing with ambiguity, as the sustainability field is constantly changing and best practices are not always clear. Furthermore, measuring impact and demonstrating the business case for sustainability can be tough. You will need to convince others of the value beyond compliance. Finally, managing a team and developing talent while meeting ambitious goals could be demanding, especially if resources are limited.

A typical day might start with a team meeting to review ongoing projects and address urgent issues, such as a supplier grievance or a compliance alert. You could then spend time analyzing data on supplier performance, preparing reports for disclosure, or developing strategies for human rights due diligence. You might have a cross-functional meeting with sourcing or brand teams to integrate sustainability criteria into product development or sourcing decisions. Later, you could engage with external stakeholders, like an NGO or industry group, to discuss collaborative initiatives. Throughout the day, you might handle emails and calls with suppliers or internal partners, providing guidance or resolving problems. Crisis management could arise unexpectedly, requiring you to coordinate a response. You may also mentor team members, review their work, and provide feedback. Strategic planning sessions with senior leadership might be scheduled periodically, where you present progress and propose new initiatives. The variability is high: some days are focused on firefighting, others on long-term strategy. Travel to supplier sites or conferences may occur occasionally. Overall, the role blends operational oversight, strategic thinking, and relationship management.

As a Senior Director, this role is already at a senior level, so vertical growth might be limited within the same function. However, you could move into a VP or head of sustainability role, either at Tapestry or another company. The exposure to global supply chains and ESG strategy could also position you for broader roles in operations, sourcing, or corporate affairs. Tapestry's house of brands means there may be opportunities to take on larger scopes, such as overseeing sustainability for additional brands or regions. Within the role, you can develop expertise in emerging areas like human rights due diligence and climate risk, which are increasingly important. You might lead high-visibility projects, such as setting science-based targets or implementing a new traceability system, which can showcase your leadership. Tapestry's emphasis on talent development suggests that you will have opportunities to mentor others and build your own team, enhancing your leadership skills. Additionally, the cross-functional nature of the role allows you to build a strong internal network, which can be valuable for future career moves. If you are interested in industry influence, you might represent Tapestry in multi-stakeholder initiatives or public forums, raising your professional profile.

You will interact with internal stakeholders across Tapestry's brands, including sourcing, supply chain, legal, communications, and CSR teams. You will likely work closely with the Chief Sustainability Officer or similar executive, providing strategic input. Brand leaders and product teams may seek your guidance on ethical sourcing and environmental impacts. You will also collaborate with HR and talent teams on people-related aspects and with finance on ESG reporting. Externally, you will engage with suppliers and factories, especially in key sourcing countries, to build capacity and ensure compliance. You may work with NGOs and civil society organizations on human rights and environmental issues, as well as industry associations and multi-stakeholder initiatives. Investors and rating agencies may request information on ESG performance, so you might interact with investor relations. Government agencies and regulators could be involved in compliance and policy matters. Additionally, you may liaise with customers and consumer groups if sustainability claims are made. The role likely involves representing Tapestry in public forums and conferences. Building trust and maintaining open dialogue with all these stakeholders is essential.