WHAT YOU WILL DO
As Programme Director, you will play a key role in shaping and advancing the H&M Foundation's strategic portfolio in support of our 2030 goals. This role is focused on developing new programmes and partnerships that support decarbonisation while creating systems-level change for workers and communities in textile supply chains. Rather than taking over existing programmes, you will help build the Foundation's future portfolio by translating strategy into impactful initiatives.
In this role, you will:
- Contribute to the implementation of the H&M Foundation's strategy and long-term goals.
- Identify, assess and develop new project opportunities at the intersection of industrial decarbonisation, workforce transition, worker resilience and climate resilience.
- Build and manage a strategic pipeline of projects and partnerships.
- Lead the development of projects from concept and design through implementation, learning and scale. Apply systems-change thinking to address the social, environmental and workforce challenges associated with the textile industry's decarbonisation journey.
- Assess and co-create concept notes, theories of change, funding proposals and partnership models.
- Build strong relationships with NGOs, industry stakeholders, donors, multilateral organisations and other strategic partners.
- Contribute thought leadership on how decarbonisation can be advanced through just transition, worker resilience, human rights and sustainable supply chain approaches.
- Collaborate across the Foundation to strengthen portfolio coherence, learning and impact.
WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH
You will join the H&M Foundation, a team of 23 colleagues committed to supporting the industry in halving its greenhouse gas emissions every decade by 2050, while promoting a just transition for both people and the planet. The role reports to the Programme Area Manager and sits within a team of six colleagues, including Senior Programme Directors and Project Managers.
You will work closely with colleagues across the Foundation as well as key internal stakeholders, including Sustainability and Social Impact teams. Externally, you will engage with NGOs, industry organisations, philanthropic actors, multilateral institutions and other partners working to improve outcomes for workers and communities around the world.
The role includes international travel, typically several trips per year to production countries and industry conferences.
WHO YOU ARE
You are a strategic and action-oriented professional who thrives in turning ambitious goals into practical programmes, partnerships and measurable impact. You are comfortable navigating complexity, building relationships across cultures and driving progress in evolving environments.
We are looking for someone who has:
- Significant experience in programme development, portfolio management and partnership building.
- Demonstrated expertise in just transition, workforce transition, worker skilling, decent work, labour rights, worker resilience, human rights or related fields, and a strong understanding of how these contribute to industrial decarbonisation and climate goals.
- Experience working at the intersection of climate action and social outcomes, particularly in the context of industrial transition.
- Experience improving outcomes for workers within global supply chains.
- Strong understanding of systems-change approaches and their practical application.
- Experience leading programmes from concept through implementation and evaluation.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build trusted relationships across sectors and geographies.
- A proactive, results-oriented approach with the ability to drive initiatives forward and deliver impact.
- Excellent communication skills and fluency in English, both written and spoken.
It is highly desirable if you also have:
- Experience within the textile and apparel industry.
- Experience working in philanthropy, foundations or grant-making organisations.
- Experience with climate adaptation and resilience programmes.
- Experience working with international organisations, industry initiatives or human rights programmes.
WHO WE ARE
The H&M Foundation is a non-profit foundation funded by the Persson family, founders and main owners of the H&M Group.
We work to accelerate the textile industry's journey towards net zero while supporting a just transition that improves outcomes for workers and communities. Through partnerships, innovation and philanthropy, we help drive systemic change for both people and the planet.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING HERE
At H&M Group we are proud to be a vibrant and welcoming company. We offer our employees attractive benefits with extensive development opportunities around the globe.
An example of our benefits:
- 25% Staff discount on all our H&M Group brands both in stores and online (H&M, COS, Weekday, Monki, H&M HOME, & Other Stories and ARKET).
- H&M Incentive Programme – HIP. Learn more about the programme here.
JOIN US
Our uniqueness comes from a combination of many things – our inclusive and collaborative culture, our strong values, and opportunities for growth. But most of all, it’s our people who make us who we are.
Take the next step in your career together with us. The journey starts here.
This is a fixed-term parental leave cover position of approximately 15 months, based in Stockholm, with a preferred start date of 1 December 2026. Please send your CV in English as soon as possible.
*We are committed to a recruitment process that is fair, equitable, and based on competency. We therefore kindly ask you to not attach a cover letter in your application.
Skills Required
- Significant experience in programme development, portfolio management and partnership building
- Expertise in just transition, workforce transition, worker skilling, decent work, labour rights, worker resilience, human rights or related fields
- Strong understanding of the relationship between worker outcomes, industrial decarbonisation and climate goals
- Experience working at the intersection of climate action and social outcomes, particularly industrial transition
- Experience improving outcomes for workers within global supply chains
- Strong understanding and practical application of systems-change approaches
- Experience leading programmes from concept through implementation and evaluation
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills across sectors and geographies
- Proactive, results-oriented approach with the ability to drive initiatives and deliver impact
- Excellent written and spoken English fluency
- Experience in the textile and apparel industry
- Experience in philanthropy, foundations or grant-making organisations
- Experience with climate adaptation and resilience programmes
- Experience with international organisations, industry initiatives or human rights programmes
H&M Group Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about H&M Group and has not been reviewed or approved by H&M Group.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, pharmacy and vision options with low employee costs and free dental are available, alongside telehealth and inclusive offerings such as transgender, bariatric and fertility coverage. These features are highlighted as solid for U.S. retail roles, with some availability for part‑time positions depending on eligibility.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Vacation, flexible wellness days, company‑paid holidays and a paid birthday off are offered, with some paid time off available to part‑time staff. The time‑off structure is presented as generous within the retail context.
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Parental & Family Support — Eight weeks of paid parental pay for mothers and fathers is provided, complemented by adoption assistance and healthy pregnancy/babies programs. These family supports add depth to the core medical coverage in the U.S. package.
H&M Group Insights
What We Do
Founded in 1947, H&M Group is a global design company with ~4,702 stores in 76 markets and 56 online markets. At H&M Group, we believe in making great design available to everyone. It’s essential in everything we do. Our family of brands and business ventures offer customers around the world a wealth of fashion, beauty, accessories and homeware, as well as modern menus with fresh and local produce at some of the brands’ in-store eateries. But design is so much more than just products; it’s about clever design processes, efficient product flows, creating experiences that enrich, and smart solutions that benefit all our customers. Sustainability is always at the core of our business. Not only because we like to do what’s right — but it’s also beneficial for our business. We will continue to push for change and lead the way towards a more inclusive and sustainable fashion future. Do you want to join us? We will trust you with great responsibility right from the start, reward a passionate mindset and encourage an entrepreneurial spirit. When you start a career with H&M Group, there’s no limit to where it can take you. H&M Group's Moderation Policy: Welcome to H&M Group’s official LinkedIn page. Ask questions, exchange ideas and meet members and employees from all over the world. This page is moderated daily and we always do our best to answer each one of you in a timely manner. Please remember to keep a friendly tone and in line with LinkedIn’s legal terms at https://www.linkedin.com/legal/user-agreement Comments and posts that contain foul language, are off-topic or unnecessarily rude will be deleted. We also encourage you to report any inappropriate content. We use an external tool to handle the comments on our page, so please note that your comments can be stored. For questions, please contact our team at [email protected].
