Fashion Lab Manager – Sustainable Fashion & Employment Creation at Comitato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo dei Popoli (CISP)

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the overall planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of the Fashion Lab, including maker space, co-working space, photo studio and showroom.
• Ensure timely execution of the lab work plan and achievement of results.
• Manage the administrative and legal aspects of the lab, in coordination with the project accountant, ensuring compliance with AICS, CISP and KikoRomeo regulations.
• Help develop budgets and track expenses to ensure effective resource utilization in coordination with the Project Accountant.
• Create an enabling environment with staff, partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries to ensure the program has lasting impact.
• Support the project’s communication, visibility, and advocacy efforts.
• Input in the practical lab training programs to ensure they meet the needs of the target recipients.
• Help develop the Fashion Lab residency, coordinating the details of the in-lab activities.
• Sell membership to fashion professionals.
• Host stylists and buyers, introducing them to designer collections in the showroom, taking orders and coordinating rentals.
• Facilitate community conversations to facilitate their buy-in to the Fashion Lab.
• Develop local and international networks to fashion professionals, and maker spaces.
• Ensure the machinery and assets of the Centre are used and kept in good condition.
• Organize the machinery and photographic usage schedule.
• Ensure safety of the lab users and assets.
• Staff Management
• Manage a team of Lab Tailoring technicians, Receptionist(s) and out-sourced cleaning company.
• Coordinate with the Project Accountant and Project Logistician as well as the KikoRomeo fashion expert, visiting education consultants, trainers and monitoring & evaluation expert.
• Report to the KikoRomeo Project Manager.

Key Deliverables

• Well-functioning Fashion Lab
• Users’ rates card
• Monthly Reports to the Project Manager
• Quarterly and monthly budgets for the Fashion Lab (by end of year 1)
• Fashion industry events including the Lab launch
• Engaging and active website and social media.

Requirements:

• Education:
• A university degree in a relevant field such as Project Management, Business Administration, Fashion and Textile Studies or related fields.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in a managerial position, ideally in a co-working space or similar.
• Proven expertise in budget design and management.
• Experience managing Human Resources (HR).
• Strong leadership, planning, coordination, and communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of current ethical fashion and sustainability concerns.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili.