Editorial - Page 2 of 27 - Positive Luxury

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MEET THE LEADERS: TESSA GERLACH

April, 2022

Elephant Gin was created following co-Founders Tessa and Robin Gerlach’s adventures in Africa, with a vision to conserve African wildlife and help conservation trusts. They produce award-winning, handcrafted premium gin products made with rare African botanicals. All ingredients are hand-selected, bottles custom-made, labels hand-written and production efforts controlled by working in small batches.

We caught up with Tessa to find out more about her leadership style and get her advice for aspiring leaders in sustainable luxury:

What makes a great – or successful – leader?

In my opinion a successful leader has a vision, sees the big picture and avoids distraction for effective time and budget management. Endless motivation is important to face any challenges. Also empathy and compassion for others is more important than ever to build a healthy and productive team. Striving for the best but acknowledging mistakes along the way is important as well as taking responsibility for falling short of goals, and steering quickly towards a plan B.

What are your personal strengths as a leader?

Spreading a passion for something. I believe that passion is the fuel for everything else that follows.

What is the toughest lesson you learned?

That I cannot do it all – and cannot do it all immediately. Also setting clear boundaries between my personal and professional lives (still working on that part!).

And the most rewarding?

Recognising wins with the team and reflecting on accomplishments. At the moment, we are looking to celebrate the €1,000,0000 milestone of donations given to elephant conservation projects.

What is one piece of advice our would give to an aspiring leader?

Finding the right people for the team is the hardest part. Focus on people that will make your team stronger in the medium/longer runs, even if the expertise and CV doesn’t perfectly match the immediate company needs.

Why should people be positive about the future?

There is so much creativity and goodwill out there that is often overshadowed by the darker news of the world. We just need to find a way of how to best fuel and motivate people to work together, maintain a flexible mindset in this ever-changing word and a willingness to try new ideas. The Friday’s for Future movement, which is youth-led and engages the younger generation in not only conservation and sustainability but also mindfulness, gives me a lot of hope for a greener future and taking more and faster action to saving our beautiful planet!

LEARN MORE ABOUT BUTTERFLY MARK-CERTIFIED ELEPHANT GIN HERE

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

April, 2022

Positive Luxury is seeking a Business Development Manager who will play a key role in developing our client base of global luxury brands.

This role sits within the Business Development team, working in close partnership with the Development Director and the Special Projects Manager. Our ideal candidate is highly motivated, organised, has excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure within tight deadlines. The primary focus of the role is to work with the Development Director to develop new business and deliver healthy revenue growth. The successful candidate must be able to show a proven track record of increasing sales revenues and meeting or exceeding personal targets. Secondly, they should show they have the initiative to impact positive change to add value to our business.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Experience identifying and implementing pipeline strategies and forecasts
Develop and implement strong commercial relationships with major luxury and premium brands
Experience selling with a consultative approach and excellent negotiating skills
Interact confidently and professionally in sales meetings via phone, virtual or face-to-face meetings
Meet personal sales targets and be a key team member working towards Positive Luxury’s sales and revenue targets
Experience in writing and pitching proposals and presentations to senior management
Ability to self-manage and comfortable spending a large percentage of time on the phone building leads and pipeline
Methodical with good research skills for identifying new business opportunities
Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail
High energy and proactive approach to sales
Ability to manage throughout the sales cycle and efficient management of the sales pipeline
Work closely within the sales team and build strong working relationships with all company colleagues
Adhere to company policies, procedures, culture and business ethics

KEY ATTRIBUTES

A minimum of three years proven B2B sales experience, preferably in the luxury industry
A proactive, motivated individual, driven to achieve sales revenue and activity performance beyond personal targets
Excellent communication, both written and oral, presentation, networking and skills
Strong business skills with a wealth of commercial experience managing similar businesses
Highly developed all-round interpersonal skills, and a positive attitude
The ability to manage and influence people at all levels
Strong problem-solving and creative skills
Capacity to work in a high-growth, fast-paced environment to deadlines
Good attention to detail, time management, research and organisational skills
Project and sales pipeline management skills and the ability to see through the business development cycle from opening to closing contracts
Intermediate to advanced Excel capability and ability to learn new technology platforms, plus experience using other Microsoft software

This role requires an outward-looking personality with a demonstrable interest and passion for sustainability and business development, with the ability to work collaboratively within the Positive Luxury team.

Click the ‘APPLY NOW’ button below to use the online application form, or send us your CV accompanied by a short covering letter outlining why you are the right person for the role, plus your salary expectations, to careers@positiveluxury.com

To be considered for this role at Positive Luxury you must have a UK passport or be entitled to work and remain in the UK indefinitely. If you require additional equipment or support in order to participate in the job application or interview process, please let us know by contacting careers@positiveluxury.com.

COMPANY PROFILE

Since its launch in 2011, Positive Luxury has built a leadership position as the partner of choice for luxury businesses that are genuinely committed to sustainability. Organisations looking to validate their sustainable actions utilise our unique ESG+ assessment framework to earn the Butterfly Mark certification, which provides proven reassurance to luxury consumers that a company can be trusted. With a growing number of well-educated consumers recognising the need to urgently reduce our negative impact on the planet and improve society, Positive Luxury is poised for growth. Our years of experience, reputation and influence combine as a serious catalyst for change. As a result, we are looking to grow a company of digital thinkers, commercially savvy sustainability leaders and purpose-led change agents. The optimistic and collaborative Positive Luxury team has the rare opportunity to make a positive impact on the world and the financial wellbeing of our brand and our partners’ brands.

Positive Luxury is an equal opportunity employer. We know our company succeeds because of the hard work, dedication and diversity of our small team of passionate, optimistic, driven employees. With ESG at the heart of our business proposition, we are firmly focused on recruiting, employing, training, compensating and promoting regardless of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, disability, age and other protected status. We aim to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people work together to make the greatest possible positive impact on our planet and our society. We will encourage you to exercise initiative in an environment where your character as well as your ideas are valued.

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WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2022 CREATIVE ASSETS

April, 2022

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE: MEET NAKUL MALHOTRA, FOUNDER OF THREAD & TONIC

April, 2022

As part of our ongoing commitment to sharing positive brand stories and actions from our community, Making a Difference highlights the often unsung individuals across the luxury industry making a positive impact. It is our hope that this series will be an inspiration to people working in sustainability and show professionals – particularly at the start of their career journey – the many routes there are to making a difference.

This month the spotlight is on Nakul Malhotra, Founder of Thread & Tonic.

What qualifications do you have? Did they play a role in getting you where you are today?

I was awarded a Scholarship at the University of Nottingham, with a degree in Finance, Accounting & Management. As head of a luxury accessories manufacturing business, I gained first-hand experience working with artisans, designers, retailers, tanneries, and suppliers. This practical understanding of each department within the business was invaluable as a foundation. Also, I had the privilege to learn from my grandfather and father, who have taught me a lot about the intricacy of quality craftsmanship. I feel whilst my degree equipped me with the management skills to execute our plans, my first-hand experience being part of the industry was crucial to make sure I was able to come up with practical solutions.

Have you always worked in sustainability? If not, what did you do before?

I feel fortunate to be third generation in the business and throughout my working career, I am proud to have been manufacturing luxury leather goods for the biggest fashion labels globally. I have always been passionate about sustainability and driven to use my knowledge to change the manufacturing processes within our industry.

How did you end up in your current role?

My sister and I wanted to create something new and unique that encapsulated the importance of sustainability, functionality, beautiful materials, modern design and luxury craftsmanship. I interned at top investment banks during university, but it did not take me long to realise where my heart was. Launching our brand was a childhood dream.

What made you fall in love with sustainability?

Leveraging material science and technology to reuse something going to waste, and to create something beautiful was fascinating. This ability to recreate which would otherwise have been discarded was what excited me the most. Also, understanding the possibilities in which we can make an impact in so many different avenues – environmental, social and economic (informally known as planet, people and profit).

What does your day-to-day look like?

I work closely with factories and technicians developing innovative materials, helping the team with strategies, working closely with our product, marketing teams and partner organisations. No two days are the same and I thoroughly enjoy multi-tasking across all aspects of the business. Apart from work I love sport, travel and getting lost in the midst of nature.

What challenges have you faced?

Sustainability is a buzzword that is overused. There is a lot of greenwashing in our industry which in turn confuses the consumer who does not understand the depth of this subject. We set out to be the most sustainable brand considering every aspect and never cut corners. Some of our materials have taken years to develop and this in turn increases our costs. In the initial months, it was difficult for us to quantify the real impact and verify that for our community. Having Positive Luxury as our partner has been instrumental for us to not only measure and monitor but also improve our performance in several areas, by benchmarking the highest standards within our industry.

What are you most proud of?

The process of developing the brand took nearly five years of work, where each hurdle has been influential and essential. Following what we love and executing this dream into reality, has been special. It is only the beginning of the journey but we are most proud of our incredible team, backed by the most flexible global supply chain, a network of the most trusted technicians, talented designers – all of who are so passionate about our mission.

What advice would you have for anyone looking to contribute to their company’s sustainability goals?

Understanding that small changes and steps added up make the world of difference. To understand the impact of every action. Collaboration with partners and individuals sharing the same values would amplify the growth and keep you motivated across this journey. Finally, to keep on learning and evaluating, always keep looking for ways to do better.

What’s next for you?

We are pleased to have partnered with Positive Luxury and the next step is to continue inspiring our global supply network to understand their impact; where sustainable and ethical practices become a fundamental element of the luxury bags and accessories industry. We also want to help advise other businesses across sustainability, making it a shared responsibility and a shared global mission. In turn helping people live a better life, and brands to build a better world.

Learn more about Thread & Tonic and their Butterfly Mark certification here

THE CHALLENGES OF SUPPLY CHAIN RELATIONSHIPS

March, 2022

Sustainability increasingly relies on collaboration between brands and their supply chain. Research has found that 91% of US consumers now consider a product’s supply chain when making a purchase. Lacking full oversight on the entire value chain leaves brands vulnerable when supplier practices go awry. We asked our brands about the challenges they have faced building relationships in their supply chain and how they overcame them.

“At Santicler, we’ve built a localized supply chain with the intention of minimizing our GHG emissions by eliminating excessive transport. We source all our materials and yarns in Euorpe and manufacutre in Romania. The most important aspect of setting up a collaborative supply chain was to forge in-person relationships with our material suppliers and manufacturers. I personally visit all the factories we use at least twice a year, and I make sure to meet our suppliers at least once a year. This approach ensures transparency and mutual trust among all the parties involved.”

– Santicler

“At Iles Formula, we have a Code of Conduct specifically in relation to our Sustainability goals which we require our suppliers and manufacturers to abide by. In our experience, we’ve been fortunate to work with partners who are able to support our mission.

Reaching individual sustainability goals within certain areas of our supply chain is fortunately relatively straightforward nowadays. The challenge, however, lies in trying to coordinate these goals in collaboration with other departments within the supply chain system.

For example, from a packaging perspective, glass can outwardly be considered a more sustainable alternative to plastic. However, the weight of glass compared to plastic has a higher impact on the carbon footprint incurred by its transportation. Likewise, lightweight, recycled cardboard boxes are seen as a more sustainable way to package goods. However, in reality, this type of cardboard does not offer as much protection to goods in transit so the need to replace damaged goods can increase, thus ultimately increasing carbon footprint.

Therefore, Sustainability requires a strong collaboration across the entire supply chain system and it’s up to us to take a holistic view on each project and make an educated and balanced decision factoring in all the information available to us.”

– Iles Formula

“We enjoy the long standing relationships we have with all of our suppliers. This tightly knitted eco-system ensures that there is a trust in our joined-up approach to ensuring that we constantly feed into the compliance funnel, and can easily pick up the phone if we need progress reports on anything that might change. The challenge always lies in the ability to properly share information and as a business that is striving to constantly evolve our targets and goals on ESG, our suppliers need to have the same level of enthusiasm for these values. The only way to overcome this is regular communications and working with privately owned businesses ensures that there is a sense of ownabilty and responsibility that is likeminded.”

– Romilly Wilde

“The relationships built across the supply chain through the years are at the core of my business. Since inception, the company has been very selective in terms of collaborating with suppliers who are respectful not merely through their credentials but at a human level too. Challenges include excessive minimum quantities which does not resonate with our low waste/production policy and quality control. Through resourceful negotiation, I am blessed to work with a responsible and reliable network who continue to support the brand as it blooms.”

– Bav Tailor

What makes a good supplier, how can brands and suppliers collaborate sustainably, how the world of sustainable sourcing is evolving and who are the innovative organisations leading by example – find out in our latest report available to download here.

MEET THE LEADERS: DINNY HALL

March, 2022

Recognised for their distinctive designs and subtle opulence, Dinny Hall’s namesake jewellery brand has continued to redefine British luxury for over 30 years. We sat down with the Founder, Dinny Hall, to find out more about her leadership style and to get advice for aspiring sustainable leaders.

What makes a great or successful leader?

A successful leader must have the ability to continually inspire as well as being able to give all individuals in the company attention however big the organisation. You must trust your team from the bottom up, your team must trust you. A good creative leader has got get others to work very hard and believe in something that hasn’t necessarily materialised yet, that requires highly persuasive skills in a leader but not manipulative. A good leader should understand when reward is due and never to panic when inevitable hurdles loom up your way. A good leader should be able to share joy and shoulder strife. Lastly good leaders all love to win but it helps to have no fear of loosing every now and then. You absolutely need an ability to use loss in a positive way to embrace change to move forward and galvanise an even better future.

What are your personal strengths as a leader?

My personal strengths are….boundless creativity, tenacity, resilience, humour, optimism, sheer determination, acceptance and an ability to harness positive energy.

What is the toughest lesson you learned?

You must choose your partners wisely and for the right reasons, you are as good as who you work with ultimately. The wrong partners can hold the company back. Learn how hard it actually is to be a good judge of character both in the work-place and in our private lives – it’s all related.

And the most rewarding?

Eventually having learnt a few tough lessons being surrounded by amazing supportive people who share the same goal – not just about money but a desire to help grow well which in turn allows you to build a creative brand with genuine heritage who people love and trust.

What is the one piece of advice you would give an aspiring leader?

So – speaking as a designer at the helm of a business here’s my advice – if you chase just the money rather than the joy of creativity and productivity you end up with just the money and no joy in your role as a leader. But if you don’t make sure you’re making money you will be permanently distraught. Get the balance right between creativity and accountability.

Why should people be positive about the future?

For our children and our children’s children naturally but also for our ancestors. To be able to hold hands through ages and continue the cycle of life miraculous in all its forms. We must acknowledge that the world can be brutal, we can’t turn a blind eye and that there are forces working against a positive attitude towards our future but without an intent to make the world better life is not worth living.

Learn more about Dinny Hall and its Butterfly Mark certification here

THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE SOURCING: THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR WEBINAR

March, 2022

Suppliers are an essential part of understanding sustainability in the luxury industry but too often they are excluded from the conversation about a brand or organisation’s sustainability performance. Suppliers are regularly undisclosed by brands who choose not to declare upstream providers, with the consumption and sustainability practise of these suppliers also typically absent from company comms. It is a significant omission, given that an average of 90% of brand resource consumption takes place in the supply chain, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 80% of a company’s greenhouse gas footprint.

For a luxury brand to be truly sustainable, they need to understand the importance of tier 1, 2, and 3, and it is essential that they build collaborative relationships with their suppliers. We discussed all of this and more in our recent webinar, where our co-CEO and co-founder Diana Verde Nieto hosted Frédéric Dufour the President and CEO of Ruinart, the CEO of James Cropper PLC Phil Wild, and Martin Townsend the Global Head for Sustainability and Circular Economy at BSI.

The webinar can be watched in full below, and we have broken down the main points of interest in an executive summary. Positive Luxury’s The Future of Sustainable Sourcing Report can be downloaded here.

Suppliers are more important now than ever

According to the BSI’s Martin Townsend, it is important that luxury brands don’t just see this as a B2B conversation but a B2C one as well. According to Gartner, about 75% of consumers are thinking about sustainability when they are making their decisions about products and services, making suppliers and their impact far more powerful as part of the consumer decision.

Expanding on this, Townsend saw two things at the heart of this rising wave of concern from brands about suppliers: transparency and risk management. In his experience, these two factors are what has been driving most of the conversations the BSI have been having with brands. The need to be transparent for both consumers and investors has brands scrambling to find ways to get the quality of the service that they need to create their products but with the lowest possible environmental impact. This is leading to the emergence of a more collaborative model between brands and supplier that shares risk and results in increased innovation.

How to effectively collaborate

Martin went on to outline how he sees effective collaboration between brands and suppliers working. In his opinion, ‘[brands need to ask themselves] how do I select the right partner? How do I make sure if we’re going to create a relationship which has value? If you don’t invest that time at the start I don’t think you’re going to get it right.’ He went on say that it is then it’s about investing time into process and working on factors like joint governance, continually discussing and reviewing progress, and creating value together. Finally, brands and suppliers need to ask themselves about their exit strategy. In his words, ‘you need to think about an exit strategy so once you’ve actually delivered what you wanted to do in a collaborative way’ you understand whether this is intended to be a permanent collaboration or a one off.

A first-hand account of collaboration in action

Frédéric Dufour, the President and CEO of Ruinart, and Phil Wild, the CEO of James Cropper PLC, gave a first-hand account of successful collaboration between luxury brands and suppliers.

The challenge for Ruinart was to improve on their already sustainable gift box. They saw that they were already at the limit of what their suppliers at the time could provide and sought out an innovative partner with a history of innovation. The partner they decided on was James Cropper, a paper expert that was already working with Ruinart’s shareholder Moet Hennessey. Together they worked to develop the ‘second skin’ packaging that is in use today – one that is nine times lighter, has a 60% smaller carbon footprint, and uses 100% paper issued from eco managed European forests. What made this solution so elegant was that it demonstrated how ‘both luxury and eco-consciousness could co-exist, according to Frédéric Dufour.

A more detailed case study of the second skin packaging and supplier behind it is available in our The Future of Sustainable Sourcing Report, which can be downloaded here.

RETHINKING PACKAGING

March, 2022

The environmental impact of packaging is about so much more than the packaging itself. Luxury businesses need to be focusing on the waste stream and investing in innovative solutions to ensure that their ‘sustainable’ packaging does not just end up in landfill.

What’s better for the environment – standard plastic bottles or biodegradable plastic? We all agree that plastic is not good, however there are 7 kind of plastics and in most countries, PET1 (Polytheylene Terephthalate – the kind of plastic used on everything from bottles for soft drinks to peanut butter jars and vegetable oil containers) is the most commonly used globally and therefore there is a waste stream to recycle it. You would assume that biodegradable plastic is better than PET1 for packaging but this is not actually the case.

In the United States, the use of environmental claims in advertising, marketing, and other promotional materials (including through websites and other internet communications vehicles) has been addressed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Practices concerning environmental claims, including any concerning degradability/biodegradability and compostability, are more specifically addressed in what is referred to as FTC’s ‘Green Guides’.

The FTC has explicitly indicated in the Green Guides that unqualified degradable claims for items that are usually disposed of in landfills are deceptive because these locations do not present conditions in which complete decomposition will occur within one year. The Green Guides further state that a degradable claim should be substantiated and qualified with respect to ‘the product’s or package’s ability to degrade in the environment where it is customarily disposed.’ In light of this, the EPI (Environmental Performance Index) advises its manufacturer and end-user customers not to make any environmental claims in the United States concerning the degradation and/or biodegradation of products made with TDPA, an additive used to make single-use oxo-biodegradable plastic products.

The Green Guides and some U.S. state laws also address claims concerning compostability. Accordingly, for those selling products in the United States that make claims related to composting, EPI recommends that manufacturers and companies selling or using products with TDPA review and be mindful of these requirements as well.

Simply put, you cannot think about packaging without thinking about the waste stream.

So, what packaging alternative are available? The incoming innovations that have caught our eye are:

1. ACTIVE PACKAGING

This type of packaging interacts with its contents, often with the goal of increasing the product’s shelf life. The packaging comes into direct contact with the product to release compounds that enrich it, or eliminate components from the immediate environment, i.e. light filtering materials, ethylene absorbers, oxygen absorbers, moisture-control, antimicrobial coating, and more. An example of this is adding oxygen absorbers to the cap in a plastic beer bottle, increasing the shelf life from three to six months.

2. INTELLIGENT PACKAGING

Intelligent packaging involves sensors and indicators that monitor the product’s condition to provide information about its status. This includes tightness, temperature, freshness, storage time, and so forth. For instance, food packaging may change colour to indicate leaks or salmonella contamination.

3. SKIN PACKAGING

This packaging is compact and air-cushioned, and its interior is lined with bubble wrap to absorb any shock or impact during transportation. This plastic is a fully recyclable polymer and reduces waste during transport.

Whichever innovative packaging solution luxury companies choose, they find themselves facing a complicated journey to true sustainability. They need to be thinking about who makes that packaging, where that packaging is made, how the people making that packaging are treated, and so many more complicated questions. Positive Luxury explore this idea and detail how luxury businesses can build collaborative relationships with their suppliers (and vice-versa) that will help them accelerate their journey to becoming truly sustainable in our complimentary latest report, The Future of Sustainable Sourcing

THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE SOURCING

March, 2022

Positive Luxury’s Future of Sustainable Sourcing: Luxury’s Guide to Collaboration, Innovation and Best Practice is essential reading for luxury brands and suppliers alike. An in-depth look at how the world of sourcing is evolving, it explores what makes a good supplier, how brands and suppliers can collaborate sustainably, and offers case studies on the innovative organisations that are leading the pack. Complete the form below to receive your complementary copy.

THE WOMEN DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY IN LUXURY

March, 2022

As a female-founded business ourselves, we take supporting women-led businesses seriously.

Positive Luxury’s Co-Founder, Diana Verde Nieto, wants to see more women getting the top jobs at luxury Maison’s across the entire luxury lifestyle business – globally.

“I found far more success when I learned to own my personality, my nationality and my gender and find strength there. What makes you who you are is what will make your business great. Believe in yourself, be resilient and make sure you surround yourself with women who are supportive of other women.”

This International Women’s Day, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the female leaders in our certified member community – all of whom are working to drive positive change in the luxury industry, and to create a sustainable future.

Aiyanna Greene – ALKIMEE

Amy Christiansen – SANA JARDIN

Anya Hindmarch – ANYA HINDMARCH

Bav Tailor – BAV TAILOR

Carole Bamford- BAMFORD

Cecilie Rosted Bahnsen – CECILIE BAHNSEN

Chloe Mendel – MAISON ATIA

Daniella Draper – DANIELLA DRAPER

Dervla Cogan Emma Canning – BRILLIANT INC

Dinny Hall – DINNY HALL

Dorothée Contour – JEM

Fleur Christacos – FLEUR OF ENGLAND

Hannah Coffin – NEEDLE & THREAD

Hanneli Rupert – OKAPI

Harmony Pilobello Shilpa Iyengar – ALTERRRE

Irene Forte – IRENE FORTE

Ivana Lesini – ALBIVA

JANE BELL – GODAVARI DIAMONDS

Joanne Milner – GARRARD

Joy Isaacs- ARGENTUM APOTHECARY

Lisa Franklin – LISA FRANKLIN

Livia Manca di Villahermosa- BALANCE HOLIDAYS

Lucija Kračun – DALU

Marcella Cacci – ONE OCEAN BEAUTY

Maria Leoni-Sceti – SONIA PETROFF

Marie-Ann Wachtmeister – COURBET

Mary Price – OCEAN + MAIN

Monica Magdas Miller – SANTICLER

Monica Vinader – MONICA VINADER

Neri Sillaman – NERI KARRA

Noële Nana Schaffner – NOMADISSEM

Paola Gugliotta- SEPAI

Petra Palumbo – PETRA PALUMBO

Sara Griffiths- THE UNIVERSAL SOUL COMPANY

Sarah Kelly – SARAFUMI

Susie Willis – ROMILLY WILDE

Tal Zur – IOTA PROJECT

Tessa Gerlach – ELEPHANT GIN

Tina Bhojwani – AERA

Wendy ILES – ILES FORMULA

Watch the video HERE

RSVP BY WEDNESDAY, 2 MARCH 2022

February, 2022

Friends of Positive Luxury are welcome to drop in at any time to our Shoreditch office on Wednesday 9 March 2022.

Please RSVP below:

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SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER: AMERICAS

February, 2022

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Senior Account Manager: Americas

Location: Remote Working (clients predominantly based in New York and California, but most work is undertaken remotely)

Reports To: Accounts Director (based in London)

ROLE SUMMARY

We are looking for a confident individual to work as part of our growing global account management team and a founding member of Positive Luxury’s Americas team, our first satellite ‘office’ outside the UK. Your main goal will be to develop strong, trust-based, high-value relationships with our growing base of clients in North, Central and South America. Leveraging our unique assessment and certification programme, you will help brands, retailers and suppliers maximise their positive environmental and social impact and accelerate adaptation of their business model to the new climate economy. This role will require you to work with flexibility, energy, and commitment. The ideal candidate will be somebody with first-hand knowledge of ESG practice, great interpersonal skills, and a passion for luxury.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and maintain relationships with individuals and teams at different levels in our clients’ organisations

Work with the Business Development team to onboard clients and deliver outstanding client services from the start of their journey with Positive Luxury

Guide clients through the assessment process, establishing a measure of baseline performance, identifying risk, prioritising necessary changes, and equipping clients with targeted tools and coaching to ensure each reaches our minimum certification standards across each of the four pillars of our framework

Partner with the Marketing team to equip and motivate clients to optimise communication of their Butterfly Mark certification to grow brand awareness of the trust make and enable clients to build trust with key stakeholders

Post-certification, leverage the insights provided through our reporting suite and ongoing knowledge programme to hold regular strategic review meetings with each of your clients on a quarterly or bi-annual basis, instilling a mindset of continuous improvement and helping future-proof client against changes in legislation, best practice, and stakeholder sentiment

Ensure brands commit to renewal and reassessment prior to the expiry of the two-year Butterfly Mark trademark license

Track your clients’ usage of the Butterfly Mark license across their communications and other touchpoints

Work closely with Marketing to showcase our clients’ sustainability journeys through:

Knowledge of the brands, suppliers, and retailers suitable for editorial opportunities and PL-led brand campaigns

Provision of content and copy for case studies

Maintaining an active library of testimonials

Support the organisation of annual events such as the Positive Luxury Awards and other community-enhancing activities

Update and maintain client databases and CRM systems

Maintain an up-to-date understanding of sustainability practice and trends through ongoing research and analysis to give clients the best advice possible

KEY ATTRIBUTES

Education to a bachelor’s degree level

5 – 8 years’ experience in sustainability and/or ESG practice within a company or consultancy, or a client services / account management role in an organisation which provided sustainability services as all or part of its proposition. A master’s degree specialising in an area of sustainability, supplement by 5+ years professional experience, would also be considered

Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, able to communicate effectively with individuals across all levels

Ability to work to deadlines, with the organisation and time management skills necessary to effectively handle multiple clients at one time

A proactive, self-driven, solutions-oriented individual

Highly collaborative team player with a mindset of continuous improvement

2+ years people management experience, enabling you to grow the account management function alongside our growth in client numbers in the region

Experience within a global organisation would be an advantage

Capacity to work in a high-growth, fast-paced SME environment

Excellent written and spoken English. Professional-level Spanish, Portuguese, or French language skills an advantage

Demonstrable interest in the luxury industry and ideally practical experience in one of the verticals we support: fashion & accessories, jewellery & watches, beauty & fragrance, premium drinks, interiors & living and travel & leisure

COMPENSATION

Base salary $50-$60K depending on experience, plus medical and 401K contributions

Enrolment in the company’s annual incentive scheme

22 days’ vacation per year, plus US Federal Holidays

Contribution to healthcare and retirement

ABOUT US

Positive Luxury’s mission is to shape a sustainable future for luxury by redefining the business model and rebuilding consumer trust. Since 2011 we have been helping luxury businesses accelerate adaptation to the new climate economy. Our assessment and certification programme is the only one designed for the specific practices and material risks of the luxury industry. The Butterfly Mark, a trust mark of excellence hard-won by the companies that bear it, is tangible, independent evidence to consumers and other stakeholders that a luxury business is operating in line with the highest standards of sustainability across the entire value chain.

OUR FUTURE

When you join Positive Luxury, you join a small but growing team of luxury and sustainability experts working together to create a culture that values purpose, collaboration, excellence, and optimism above all else. Entering a phase of rapid growth and transformation, Positive Luxury is the ideal environment for those who want to work at the forefront of cultural and economic change. We will encourage you to exercise initiative in an environment where your character as well as your ideas are valued.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Positive Luxury is an equal opportunity employer, diverse and inclusive. With ESG at the heart of our business proposition, we are committed to recruiting, employing, training, compensating, and promoting regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, national origin, disability, age, and other protected status. We aim to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people work together to make the greatest possible positive impact on nature and society.

To be considered for this role at Positive Luxury you must have a US passport or be entitled to work and remain in the US indefinitely. If you require additional equipment or support to participate in the job application or interview process, please let us know by contacting careers@positiveluxury.com.

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SENIOR ENGINEERING MANAGER

February, 2022

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Senior Engineering Manager

Location: Hybrid working with office located in Shoreditch, London

Reports To: Co-CEO, Amy Nelson-Bennett

ROLE SUMMARY

Positive Luxury is seeking an ambitious and highly skilled professional to help drive the growth of our platform and data products. We are constantly looking at improving our processes, architectures and technologies, as we continue to grow and face new challenges, and you will be heavily involved in shaping the product and technical direction of the platform and scaling and shaping the Engineering organisation to meet the growth of the business.

We are looking for an engineering manager to join us on the next stage of our development. You will work in tandem with our PM’s and designers to support our cross-functional teams to deliver high quality software. Your mission will be to support, coach and mentor internal and networked teams throughout the development life cycle. You will be primarily hands off, with a focus on people, process and delivery.

If you have the requisite experience and skills, a passion for technology and data and a desire to work in a company at the forefront of ESG and sustainable business transformation, we want to hear from you.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Work with senior technology leads to translate the company’s high-level technology vision into a robust project roadmap with clear goals, deliverables, and timelines

Support technology selection, supported by partnerships, to meet current and future needs of Positive Luxury and our clients

Building out 1 – 2 cross-functional teams

Owning strategic initiatives for your team(s) and potentially the Engineering organisation

Building a high trust environment where teams feel they can perform and deliver value

Ensure effective project scoping and agile management – delivering projects on time and budget while meeting project objectives. Ensure all projects are designed for scale and supported by any necessary training and methodology documentation

Provide ongoing recommendations for technology-led initiatives and improvements to drive business growth and/or efficiency

Ensure adequate safeguards for all projects to reduce the risk of outside breaches, resource redundancy and comply with data protections requirements

KEY ATTRIBUTES

Education to at least BA degree level in computer science, engineering or other related field

5 years professional experience delivering innovative technology solutions, many of which have included significant data management

Success building and managing internal and external project delivery teams, and you are a keen learner and regularly share your learnings with others and contribute to the wider tech community and/or would like to in the future.

The teams you manage have a track record of success delivering customer-centric products, data services and tools; improving internal processes and driving efficiencies

Experience working in a high-growth SME environment and track record of excellent problem-solving and data-led decision-making abilities

Proven ability to effectively manage a diverse workload and deliver projects with excellence

A curious and proactive mindset, committed to continuous improvement, helping others grow and you are not afraid to challenge the status quo.

Strong interest in sustainability, with practical experience of ESG a big plus

COMPENSATION & CULTURE

Base salary £50K-60K depending on experience

Enrolment in the company’s annual incentive scheme

22 days holiday minimum, up to 28 days, plus UK bank holidays

Pension contributions

Cycle and electric car schemes

Bi-monthly study halls to further your sustainability knowledge

Monthly town halls & quarterly strategy reviews for transparency on performance and projects

ABOUT US

OUR FUTURE

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

To be considered for this role at Positive Luxury you must have a UK passport or be entitled to work and remain in the UK indefinitely. If you require additional equipment or support to participate in the job application or interview process, please let us know by contacting careers@positiveluxury.com.

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ESG RESEARCH ANALYST

February, 2022

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: ESG Research Analyst

Location: Hybrid working with office located in Shoreditch, London

Reports To: Co-CEO Diana Verde Nieto

ROLE SUMMARY

Positive Luxury is seeking an ESG Research Analyst who play a key role creating shared value to our business and our clients, collecting research and data sets highlighting trends, requirements, and associated benefits in various sectors across the luxury industry.

We will consider applications for permanent employment or a fixed-term contract with a minimum term of six months.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Collection, standardisation and validation of data from various sources

Research and interpretation of luxury industry trends and reporting standards

Ideation for new collection methods and product improvements related to content sets

Developing expertise and understanding in global ESG regulation, such as EU’s and other taxonomies as well as emerging disclosure regulations in the EU, the UK, Hong Kong/China and other jurisdiction

Translate ESG regulation and trends into research and products addressing clients’ growing need for regulation-aligned data

KEY ATTRIBUTES

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or equivalent – such as international relations, law, politics, environmental science desirable but not required

Two years prior experience in the ESG data ratings and research is added advantage

Ability to interpret documents like articles, by laws and prospectus of companies, annual report, sustainability report, codes of conduct

Good understanding of ESG concepts, ESG research methodologies and trends

Resourcefulness and initiative in delivery against pre-defined outcomes

Strong attention to detail and persistent approach to work

Good written and oral presentation skills

Agile mindset to allow collaboration and coordination

Proficiency in using MS Office

Other languages such French would be preferential but not mandatory

Strong interest in business finance and international politics

Understanding the luxury industry trends and reporting standards

COMPENSATION & CULTURE

Base salary £32K-£40K depending on experience

Enrolment in the company’s annual incentive scheme

22 days holiday minimum, up to 28 days, plus UK bank holidays

Pension contributions

Cycle to work and electric car schemes

Bi-monthly study halls to further your sustainability knowledge

Monthly town halls & quarterly strategy reviews for transparency on performance and projects

ABOUT US

OUR FUTURE

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

To be considered for this role at Positive Luxury you must have a UK passport or be entitled to work and remain in the UK indefinitely. If you require additional equipment or support to participate in the job application or interview process, please let us know by contacting careers@positiveluxury.com.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Friday, 25th February 2022

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