Sustainability manager
Play a crucial role in helping your employer or clients move towards a sustainable, net-zero future.
Also known as: head of sustainability, sustainability lead, customer sustainability manager, sustainability and compliance manager
About the job
What it's like
In this job you’ll help organisations to be environmentally sustainable. You’ll work with different departments or clients to put sustainability at the heart of what they do.
You’ll make sure they are sustainable in all ways, including financially. You could assess your company’s:
products
methods
energy use
waste
health and safety
You’ll make sure your suppliers are ethical and use sustainable products, too.
This role involves looking at how sustainable the business is and making lasting changes that protect the environment. You’ll think about the overall business, long-term, to make sure it’s sustainable in the future. It’s an exciting role that’s very important in the fight against climate change.
Your tasks might include:
developing a sustainability strategy and goals
doing sustainability assessments for the business or your clients
planning and running projects that make the business more sustainable
writing reports with recommendations
presenting to clients
making sure the products and services your company uses are sustainable and ethical
keeping up to date with government policy and regulations on sustainability
training colleagues on sustainability
Green job
In this job you’ll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.
Hours
You’d work full-time or part-time. Your hours could sometimes vary from week to week, depending on project deadlines or industry events.
Environment
You'll likely work in an office environment, with some site visits. There may be opportunities to work from home some of the time.
Travel
You may travel to other parts of the business if you work for a national company. If you help customers with their sustainability goals, you’d travel to their workplaces.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Sustainability manager'
Select qualification level(s)
Other careers that you might like
Environmental consultant Environmental manager Environmental advisor Renewable energy manager Environmental engineer Sustainability consultant Environmental health and safety manager Environmental product manager Climate change specialist Environmental officer
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Energy Food and drink Financial and professional services Transport Engineering and manufacturing Construction and built environment
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- environmental social and corporate governance (esg)
- sustainability reporting
- sustainability initiatives
- sustainability standards
- social sustainability
- carbon management
- corporate sustainability
- sustainability procedures
- environmental reporting
- forward contract
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- negotiating
- researching
- problem solving
- attention to detail
- building relationships
- making decisions
- verbal communication
- analysing
- adaptability
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Maths (Mathematics)
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Environmental Science
Geography
Applications of Mathematics
Business Management
Design and Manufacture
Economics
Engineering Science
Modern Studies
You’ll likely need a degree or postgraduate qualification for this job. You can work towards this after school by going to university, college or by getting an apprenticeship.
Explore the information you need for each route to this career.
University
For many roles, you'll need a degree or postgraduate qualification.
Subjects related to sustainability and the environment are very useful, such as:
sustainable management
sustainable development
sustainable energy management
construction management with sustainability
supply chain and sustainability management
environmental sustainability
Other university subjects which could be helpful for this career include:
agricultural science
biology
chemistry
physics
technology
geography
environmental science
What you need to enter a degree course depends on the subject and university. For a sustainability degree, you'll likely need:
at least 3 Highers at B or better, including science subjects
National 5 qualifications in at least 1 science subject
Some universities will have higher entry requirements – these are what you'll need as a minimum. A relevant HNC or HND will allow you to apply for some courses.
For entry to a postgraduate course, you'll need an honours degree in a relevant subject.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you find work or progress to more advanced study. Subjects at college could include:
environmental management
environmental management and sustainability
sustainable resource management
What you'll need for a college course depends on the qualification level, subject and college. As a guide, for an HND in Environmental Management, you'll likely need two Highers at C or better, including a relevant subject such as a science.
Apprenticeships
You could start learning the skills you'll need in this career through a Foundation Apprenticeship (FA). While you're in S5 or S6, you'll gain work experience while you study.
You might want to consider an FA in:
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Getting work experience in a relevant role can help you break into the environmental sector. Search for opportunities on Volunteer.scot.
Find more volunteering through:
You can join the Society for the Environment or another environmental membership body. This can help develop professional contacts and find training opportunities.
A membership of chartered institutions and professional societies can help you access career guidance and networking opportunities. Relevant bodies include:
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Sustainability manager'
