Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioner

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.

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Business - Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioners work within businesses to shape strategy, manage budgets, and persuade departments to adopt more ethical practices. Understanding how organisations operate, make decisions, and measure performance is central to this role.
• Environmental Science - Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioners assess the environmental impact of their organisation's activities and develop strategies to reduce harm. Understanding topics like carbon emissions, resource depletion, biodiversity, and pollution helps them set meaningful targets and promote best practice.
• Economics - Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioners need to understand how markets, supply chains, and economic policies affect business decisions. They often make the financial case for sustainable practices, showing how ethical approaches can also be economically viable.
• Geography - Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioners deal with issues like climate change, resource management, and the social impact of business on communities – all core topics in geography. Understanding how human activity interacts with the environment helps them assess risks and plan strategies.
• English Language - Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioners write sustainability reports, internal communications, and public-facing documents that need to be clear and persuasive. They also present strategies to senior leaders, partners, and community groups, so strong communication skills are essential.

Also relevant

• Politics - Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioners stay up to date with government policy and legislation on issues like net zero targets and modern slavery. Understanding how political decisions shape regulations helps them ensure their organisation remains compliant and ahead of new requirements.
• Law - Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioners need to understand the legal frameworks around environmental regulations, labour standards, and corporate governance. They ensure their organisation meets its legal obligations and promote best practice beyond minimum compliance.
• Sociology - Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioners consider how business activities affect communities and different social groups. Understanding social inequality, community dynamics, and how organisations influence people's lives helps them develop strategies that are genuinely responsible.
• Mathematics - Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioners work with data to measure environmental impact, track progress against targets, and manage budgets. Being comfortable with statistics and data analysis helps them produce credible reports and make evidence-based recommendations.