How to become A Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers believe that we do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. They ensure a product is reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, and composted; otherwise, it is restricted, redesigned, or removed from production.

• Sustainable Systems Manager
• Sustainability Development Manager
• Environmental Manager
• Environmental Adviser
• Energy Manager

What do Sustainability Managers do?

A Sustainability Manager will typically need to:

• Determine how businesses can develop and implement environmental strategies to ensure sustainable corporate development without jeopardizing future operations
• Coordinate all aspects of pollution control, waste management, recycling, environmental health, conservation, and renewable energy
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation; keep up to date with national and international regulation and legislation
• Liaise with relevant bodies such as local authorities, public institutions, and competent agencies; coordinate public hearings and consultations on environmental matters
• Audit, analyze, and report environmental performance to internal and external clients and regulatory bodies
• Carry out impact assessments to identify, assess, and reduce an organization’s environmental risks and financial costs
• Promote and raise awareness, at all levels of an organization, of the impact of emerging environmental issues
• Develop and implement environmental management systems to continually improve the impact of the organization on the environment
• Manage relations with the board of directors, senior management, and internal staff; train staff at all levels on environmental issues and responsibilities
• Negotiate environmental service agreements and manage associated costs and revenues; write environmental reports, assuming lead responsibility in the company
• Set organizational sustainability targets, develop plans to meet those targets, and oversee their delivery

Sustainability Managers typically work in an office environment. Some may work long hours and frequently travel for meetings and other business operations. Some Sustainability Managers may have the option to work from home. Many Sustainability Managers work in small Environment & Sustainability teams. Some may work as individuals.

Collared shirts, well-fitting pants, and suits are the usual norm for a Sustainability Manager unless otherwise specified.

Working hours for Sustainability Managers vary according to the organization for which they work. In the public sector, a Sustainability Manager will typically work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. In the private sector, hours are more likely to vary and may include some weekend work.

Flexitime, part-time work, and career breaks may be possible in some organizations.

Aspiring Sustainability Managers may also search for job opportunities on the websites of environmental companies. Not all positions are advertised, so it is worth sending off speculative applications or networking with any contacts you may have. Approximately 30 percent of Sustainability professionals work as consultants.

Sustainability Managers are generally employed by:

• Commercial Businesses
• Environmental Consultancies
• Local Authorities
• Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), such as Greenpeace
• National, Regional & Local Government & Statutory Agencies

Professional associations and organizations are key resources for those Sustainability Managers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.

Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as a Sustainability Manager. Some organizations sponsor travel grants for students to attend professional conferences and development events.

• Lack of business case and consequent perception of helplessness
• Lack of support and training from leadership and management
• Ineffective leadership, including middle management blockage
• Organizational fear of change and failure to recognize the potential impacts of inaction

Most employers look for candidates with work experience, even at junior levels; relevant work experience, gained through vacation or sandwich placements, is advantageous for an aspiring Sustainability Manager.

Experience gained through volunteer work may also be valuable. Becoming a student member of relevant societies, institutes or charities will increase your knowledge of the sector, show your commitment to the field to potential employers and provide you with essential opportunities to network and make useful contacts.

Work for Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) is often not highly paid, and can often serve as a volunteer opportunity for aspiring Sustainability Managers. Work for NGOs is popular with graduates seeking vital work experience, so positions are highly competitive.

The specific educational background preferences for a Sustainability Manager may vary based on the industry in which you wish to work. A bachelor’s degree in bioscience, earth sciences, ecology, energy, environmental engineering, environmental health, environmental sciences, environmental management, engineering, or business administration with a focus on Sustainability would be ideal. Some employers require applicants to have a master’s or doctoral degree.

Certification demonstrates competence in skills, typically through work experience, training, the passage of an examination, or some combination of the three. Once employed, postgraduate diplomas offer aspiring Sustainability Managers the chance to develop particular interests.

A voluntary certification is often seen as evidence of an individual’s drive and motivation, giving them a leg up for raises and promotions.

There is no set career path for jobs in sustainability; these jobs have varying responsibilities across different organizations. Organizations with sustainability ingrained in the culture, may not have dedicated sustainability staff, but will still pursue sustainability. Many large corporations, some non-profit organizations, and some government agencies employ sustainability professionals, such as Sustainability Managers.

Some organizations do not employ their sustainability professionals but hire consultants from sustainability firms to offer specialized skills and services and new temporary workforce for specific projects.

The need to meet environmental legislation, be cost-effective, and be environmentally responsible can open up opportunities for career development in specific areas, including corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental impact assessment (EIA), environmental management and auditing, and waste management.

In some organizations, there may only be a small number of specialized environmental posts. Larger organizations offer more opportunities for Sustainability Managers to take on a senior-level corporate role, or a wider role encompassing other activities.

Sustainability Managers also have opportunities to join the growing number of environmental consultancies, become self-employed, or move into the education field in a teaching or research position.

Breaking into the sustainability sector requires persistence and patience. It is a highly competitive industry that makes it necessary for you to make a valiant effort to stand out from the crowd. Ensure your CV and cover letter are up to date, well presented, and highlight as much relevant experience as possible in two readable pages.

Sustainability Managers need to keep abreast of environmental legislation, compliance, and reporting requirements through training and continuing professional development (CPD).

Becoming a professional body member will also help you structure your professional development, particularly in the early stages of your career, by identifying your needs and providing solutions.

Attending internal and external training courses, relevant seminars, and conferences is an effective way to keep up with current issues and refresh your knowledge. Some short courses can lead to further professional qualifications.

Courses and other events are offered on a regional and national basis by a range of professional bodies.To move up in the Sustainability field, earn a professional certification from the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP).

A Diverse Field

Most Sustainability Managers are dedicated to sustainability, but some may have additional roles. Sustainability initiatives may include natural resource reduction, supply chain management, worker safety, and health initiatives, stakeholder engagement, or external reporting. Although their specific career paths might differ, all Sustainability Managers promote environmental protection, social responsibility, and profitability.

A Corporate Responsibility

Sustainability describes a company’s strategies for acting as a responsible corporate citizen, ensuring its operations are financially sustainable, and minimizing its environmental footprint. Many companies promote corporate responsibility by providing pro-bono products and services to the needy or attempting to lessen their environmental impact.

Benefits of Sustainability for Organizations

Organizations can run more efficiently by pursuing sustainability. They improve corporate reputation, retain employees, and have a more positive impact on their communities. Sustainable practices minimize the effects of rising costs for energy, comply with increased regulations at the federal, state, and local levels, and please customers who expect organizations to be environmentally and socially responsible. A 2009 study found that 70 percent of firms employed three or more sustainable practices, with the most common being waste management and recycling.

With more and more companies striving to make more of an impact than just lining their shareholders’ pockets, sustainability will become a pillar of the corporation of the future.

We never know the worth of water until the well is dry. With all waste or pollution, someone somewhere pays for it. Sustainability Managers are committed spokespersons for our planet to remain healthy and habitable for all species for posterity - you too can become sustainable rockstars of the 21st century.

There are no passengers on spaceship Earth. We are all crew.