Location England
Job-type Permanent
Salary £Negotiable
Reference 16875

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) is the World's leading standards-setting and certification organisation for the jewellery supply chain. With more than 1,600 member companies and growing rapidly, the RJC span the entire supply chain from mine to retail. The organisation works with businesses of all sizes to instigate step change towards sustainably sourced and produced materials.

The RJC affects the lives of millions of people every day. Livelihoods depend on mining around the World, and the RJC ensures the global jewellery and watches industry is meeting critical sustainability criteria to give workers and their families working in the industry and across the supply chain a brighter future.

The new Executive Director will act as a positive leader, building and maintaining influential relationships with all stakeholders, especially the wider precious metals, gem and jewellery supply chain, United Nations, OECD, governments, NGOs, relevant organisations and individuals of influence.

In this role, you will shape strategy and grow the RJC's profile whilst embodying its values and ethos. You will be the figurehead of the organisation and will work closely with the member-elected board on key decisions to drive the industry toward true sustainability.

As the Executive Director, you will be:

  • Deepening and broadening the impact of the RJC by driving its mission and purpose

  • Promoting the uptake of the RJC's Code of Practice by jewellery producers and mining businesses worldwide via organic growth, strategic partnerships and provision of thought-leadership

  • Providing direction and support to the RJC team; developing and encouraging a culture of trust, teamwork and cooperation within the organisation and with stakeholder organisations based upon the values of the RJC

  • Delivering the strategy and business plan alongside the ExCo and ensuring the RJC maintains and grows its leadership position; developing ethical, sustainable initiatives that support raising industry standards

  • Representing the organisation in the media on all matters relating to it and as a key spokesperson seeking opportunities to expand and promote the role of the organisation worldwide

  • Ensuring that the RJC's processes and standards remain robust, meaningful and provide value to the global precious metals and gemstones industries

You will play a key role in supporting the RJC's commitment to continuous improvement. This post will suit a proven business leader who has operated on an international scale and who thrives on bringing people together.

Your Experience:

  • ​Demonstrable experience ideally in both the private and non-private sectors, with clear evidence of understanding and aligning multiple agendas across governments, NGOs, private finance, employees and civil society

  • Demonstrable evidence of building and maintaining influential relationships with key stakeholders in an international environment, recognising different cultural requirements

  • A comprehensive understanding of social and environmental sustainability, including detailed knowledge of supply chain standards and impacts

  • Strong knowledge of the OECD, DDG and the UN and its bodies, EU and US conflict minerals regulations, ideally including exposure to implementation of relevant standards across a value chain

  • Strong communication and presentation skills and ability to influence businesses and stakeholders

The RJC's vision is a responsible worldwide supply chain that promotes trust in the global jewellery and watches industry. They have produced a platform for catalysing change through the supply chains of their members and provide a forum for sharing perspectives, exchanging ideas and finding solutions to shared challenges. You will help them achieve a responsible and sustainable worldwide jewellery supply chain.

*Preference for this role is to be based in the UK, but consideration will be given to candidates from other locations.

If you're interested and want to learn more, please reach out to lawrence.hallett@acre.com.