Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioner
Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioners make sure that businesses work in an ethical way.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
In this job, you could:
- plan a corporate responsibility and sustainability strategy for your company
- persuade internal departments, partners and community groups of the benefits of your plans
- assess the likely impact of your organisation's projects
- stay up to date with policy and legislation and promote best practice
- manage a budget
- write internal and external communications
We've identified this as a green job
As a corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioner, you'll make sure that the business you are working for operates in an environmentally friendly way. This can have a positive impact on the environment.
Find out more about green careers
Working environment
You could work in the community, from home or in an office.
Career path and progression
You could work for private companies, non-government organisations, charities or public bodies.
With experience you could move to more senior positions either within your own organisation or by switching to a larger company.
You might also work as a consultant, specialising in particular regulatory areas, such as net zero, modern slavery, or social and environmental impact assessments.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- the ability to use your initiative
- leadership skills
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- business management skills
- persistence and determination
- customer service skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Restrictions and Requirements
You may need a driving licence for some jobs.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
You could do a degree or postgraduate qualification that includes units on corporate responsibility and sustainability, for example:
- environment and sustainability
- energy and engineering
- transport and logistics
- economics
- community development
- business management
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
More Information
You could take a course in environmental sustainability or business management.
This may help you get some of the knowledge and skills you need to apply for trainee or apprenticeship roles.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
More Information
You could begin by doing a:
- Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Sustainability Business Specialist Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship
These apprenticeships can take between 2 and 3 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
An understanding of the role of sustainability is highly valued by employers and you may have an advantage if you have experience of fundraising, working with volunteers or volunteering yourself.
You can find opportunities through the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) or Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (ICRS) to:
- gain professional recognition
- find training opportunities
- make industry contacts
Further information
You can discover more about sustainability work and training through the Green Careers Hub.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.