What does a sustainability manager do?
As sustainability becomes an increasingly important part of corporate life, more and more organisations are looking for someone to help them navigate crucial changes. While it can be an immensely rewarding position, the role of sustainability manager doesn't follow a simple checklist.So what is a sustainability manager, and what does their job entail? What skills are needed to excel, and what are the requirements to begin a career in this fulfilling field?What role does the Sustainability Manager play within a company?
Whether they are looking to create a more sustainable product or reduce the carbon emissions of their office spaces, sustainability managers assist organisations in walking the tightrope between their environmental impact and their business goals.Using the latest climate research and understanding the complexities of environmental management, sustainability managers help companies incorporate more eco-friendly business practices and ensure they remain compliant with all the relevant legislation.Companies may hire a sustainability specialist to audit their entire business or to handle a particular project. The workload and responsibilities will vary depending on the company's previous engagement with green practices. Some businesses may have had a prior sustainability manager, while others might require a new hire to create company policies from scratch.Also commonly referred to as a chief sustainability officer, the position involves a great deal of analysis and breaking down data to different internal and external stakeholders. A sustainability manager must liaise with a wide range of people, including the media, to examine the business and inspire different groups to get on board with green initiatives. The role requires that they delicately represent the business' interests and highlight any potential concerns that could damage its reputation.What are a Sustainability Manager's main responsibilities?
An ideal career for people who enjoy tackling different challenges, the position of sustainability manager encompasses a wide range of tasks. Whether it's handling PR problems to conducting large-scale audits, no two days will look the same.When working as a corporate sustainability manager, you can usually expect the following duties to come under your job description;Taking an active approach
- Researching the latest technologies to help cut or reduce carbon emissions
- Finding suitable offsetting solutions that align with company values
- Establishing relationships with media outlets to promote corporate social responsibility projects and handle any PR issues
Which skills should a Sustainability Manager have?
Successfully enacting eco-friendly changes on a large scale takes both heart and in-depth analysis. As we have seen, each day brings fresh challenges for sustainability managers, and they need a broad skill set to tackle their various responsibilities. If you are looking to start a career in sustainability management, demonstrate your abilities with the following for an eye-catching application.What is the average salary of a Sustainability Manager?
The average salary of a full-time sustainability manager ranges between £40k to £100k a year. As sustainability issues become increasingly important, large-scale companies might expand their efforts and hire several team members to tackle these challenges. Global organisations might even hire a director of sustainability responsible for the strategic planning and budgets of managers across several continents.Outside of the corporate world, sustainability managers are also hired by government agencies and within other sectors such as education or healthcare. Many sustainability managers go on to start private firms and work as consultants. With so many routes to take, there is scope to tailor your career to specific interests or financial ambitions.What career paths can you take to become a Sustainability Manager?
Because the role of sustainability manager is comparatively new, there is no one path to securing your dream position. While most posts will ask candidates to hold an undergraduate degree, it's not entirely necessary if you have the right experience. So, what routes can you take to become a successful sustainability manager?