What Does a Sustainability Manager Do?
| 5 Min Read
Making true, lasting change for a more resilient and sustainable world requires us to think beyond recycling and conserving water. In the workplace, sustainability managers play a major role in leading initiatives for the nonprofit and public sectors to advance environmentally sustainable solutions and drive impactful change for the future of the planet. Sustainability managers also work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maintain social, economic, and environmental responsibility for their companies and agencies.
In this guide, we’ll explore the role of the sustainability manager, the responsibilities of these professionals, and how sustainability management jobs in the nonprofit and public sectors can make a positive impact both in the lives of professionals and consumers around the globe.
The Impact of Sustainability Management
From industrial production to waste disposal and every step in between, agencies in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors alike can have a significant long-term impact on the environment. How natural resources are managed matters not only for the success and sustainability of the agency utilizing them, but also for the future of the people and areas they impact.
The issue of developing and adopting sustainable professional practices is becoming a larger focal point for many nonprofits and government agencies. In fact, sustainability management employment in the United States has increased by more than 237% over the past seven years.1
Sustainability managers use environmental data, strategy, and policy application to make decisions about long-term sustainability practices and solutions. And in turn, effective environmental sustainability efforts can impact the financial stability and long-term success of an agency, allowing government and nonprofit organizations to positively impact the people they serve.
Challenges to Sustainability
While many corporate leaders and shareholders increasingly value sustainability, a challenge faced by many agencies today is the fact that adopting more sustainable practices can be expensive and disrupt “business-as-usual.” Finding ways to integrate sustainability into the strategy and budget of an organization requires unique skills—skills brought by a sustainability manager.
In the nonprofit sector, sustainability management professionals can make a powerful impact on the environment through the development of new climate policies. By getting involved with government agencies to establish public-private partnerships, sustainability managers in the public sector can improve efficiency, increase access, and reduce the risks of investing in sustainable infrastructure to meet policy goals.2
The United Nations, for example, is actively strategizing renewable energy policies and legislation to restrict the usage of fossil fuels. In support, many nonprofit organizations are conducting research and making fundraising efforts to support and promote the use of renewable energy, helping to bring current industries to the forefront of sustainability.3
Developing new energy strategies, designing environmental policies, and presenting new data to stakeholders is where sustainability managers make a difference in the nonprofit sector.
A Day in the Life of a Sustainability Manager
While a sustainability manager focuses on making changes that positively impact the environment, they must also work to meet the mission of their nonprofit or governing agency. Let’s explore what skills sustainability management professionals must demonstrate through their work on a daily basis.
Data Analysis and Reporting
Sustainability management relies on current and accurate environmental data, which requires professionals in this field to stay up to date on the latest sustainability trends and news. These professionals must have the skills to conduct research, identify environmental trends, analyze this data, and then use their findings to strategize sustainability plans. Additionally, they must also present their ideas and plans with top executives, stakeholders, consumers, and donors.
Project Management
Collecting, analyzing, and reporting sustainability data is followed by strategic project management. Sustainability managers must strategize, develop, plan, and carry out projects that adopt new sustainability efforts for their agencies. This involves educating stakeholders on the efficiency of new sustainability efforts, collaborating with other professionals, and organizing an effective workflow to ensure all parts of a project are completed on time.
Implementation and Management of Environmental Policies
In addition to managing large-scale projects and making globally impactful changes in the utilization of natural resources, the sustainability manager job also requires implementing and managing positive environmental policies. These policies can impact wide-scale change across the globe and may include enforcing new sustainability practices by law to protect people and the environment.
Sustainability Management Employment Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a continuous demand for new environmental management professionals. As the industry expands, sustainability management is projected to increase by at least 7% through 2033.4 At this rate, thousands of new jobs are expected to be created for specialists in this field throughout the decade, including many that offer competitive salaries and the opportunity for your voice to be heard where it matters most.
In-Demand Sustainability Management Careers:
- Sustainability Manager, Average annual salary: $92,635 per year5
- Sustainability Officer, Average annual salary: $100,000 per year6
- Vice President of Sustainability, Average annual salary: $176,901 per year7
- Environmental Project Manager, Average annual salary: $76,844 per year8
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This master’s program utilizes a curriculum that will transform your skills and prepare you to make informative decisions that will impact not only your public or nonprofit agency, but also the environment on a global scale. Each course can be completed online through the Institute’s virtual learning platform with support from expert faculty who are committed to helping you succeed. You’ll have the flexibility to study on the go and complete assignments when it’s convenient for your schedule.
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- LinkedIn Economic Graph. “Global Green Skills Report 2022.” Retrieved October 18, 2024, from https://economicgraph.linkedin.com.
- United States Environmental Protection Agency. Public-Private Partnerships Beneficial for Implementing Green Infrastructure. Retrieved October 18, 2024, from https://www.epa.gov.
- The United Nations, Climate Action. “Renewable energy – powering a safer future.” Retrieved October 18, 2024, from https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/raising-ambition/renewable-energy.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Environmental Scientists and Specialists (August 29, 2024). Retrieved September 16, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov.
- Payscale.com. Average Sustainability Manager Salary. Retrieved September 16, 2024, from https://www.payscale.com/.
- Payscale.com. Average Sustainability Officer Salary. Retrieved September 16, 2024, from https://www.payscale.com/.
- Payscale.com. Average Vice President of Sustainability Salary. Retrieved September 16, 2024, from https://www.payscale.com/.
- Payscale.com. Average Project Manager, Environmental Salary. Retrieved September 16, 2024, from https://www.payscale.com/.