Sustainability Manager: Who They Are and What the Corporate Sustainability Officer Does
23 January 2025The Sustainability Manager is a central professional figure professional figure in today’s companies. In a context where sustainability is no longer an option but a necessity to ensure competitiveness and a positive impact on the environment and society, the Sustainability Manager plays a key role in integrating green and socially responsible practices into business processes.
What does a Sustainability Manager do?
The Sustainability Manager is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to reduce the company’s environmental impact and ensure compliance with environmental and social responsibility regulations. Their work spans various areas: from strategic planning of medium- and long-term sustainability goals to managing environmental processes (energy consumption, waste, resource efficiency); from communication and writing sustainability reports (such as the Global Reporting Initiative, GRI) to overseeing regulatory compliance.
In addition, the Sustainability Manager is in charge of training and awareness raising within the company, promoting a culture of sustainability and organizing training courses to orient employees to ecological and sustainable practices.
Skills required to become a corporate sustainability expert.
Becoming a Sustainability Officer requires a mix of technical, managerial, and communication skills. It requires knowledge related to the environment, ability to manage projects in cross-functional contexts, precise notions of regulations, and expertise in data analysis In addition, strong communication skills are needed to interact effectively within the organization.
Difference between a Sustainability Manager and a CSR Manager.
Many people confuse the Sustainability Manager with the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Manager. Although both positions deal with sustainability, their responsibilities differ in several ways: the Sustainability Manager primarily focuses on the environmental impact of the company and managing natural resources and pollution reduction; while the CSR Manager handles social responsibility and the company’s relationship with the community. Their activities mainly involve promoting social, educational, and charitable initiatives to ensure that the company contributes positively to society.
Industries in which a Sustainability Manager works.
A Sustainability Manager can work in various sectors, always with the goal of integrating sustainable practices into business strategies.
In the industrial sector, they focus on reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing processes, improving production processes, and promoting the use of eco-friendly technologies. In the energy sector, they encourage the use of renewable energy sources and efficient resource management.
In the construction industry, they collaborate on designing sustainable buildings, with a particular focus on energy efficiency. In the agri-food sector, they work to make supply chains and production methods more sustainable. In finance, they lead the adoption of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria in investment decisions. Furthermore, a Sustainability Manager can work in healthcare, transportation, technology, and fashion, always with the goal of reducing environmental impact and promoting corporate social responsibility.
In many market sectors, the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) is an almost indispensable figure. The CSO is the executive responsible for defining and implementing sustainability strategies within an organization; they are especially in demand in energy and renewable industries, manufacturing, retail, fashion, and companies focused on technology and innovation.
Certifications useful for a Sustainability Manager.
Several certifications can enrich the profile of a Sustainability and Environmental Manager and are valued in the professional world:
– LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): Certification for those involved in designing and managing sustainable buildings.
– ISO 14001: An international standard that certifies environmental management systems.
– Certified Environmental Professional (CEP): Certification demonstrating advanced competence in environmental management.
– Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): Certification providing guidelines for drafting sustainability reports.
– Carbon Footprint Certification: Certification measuring an organization’s carbon footprint.
How much does a Sustainability Manager earn?
A Corporate Sustainability Manager’s salary can vary depending on experience, sector, and company size. In Italy, a Sustainability Manager typically earns between €40,000 and €70,000 per year. Senior roles, such as the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), can reach a gross annual salary (RAL) well over €100,000. Career prospects are excellent, especially since two-thirds of companies in Italy are not in compliance with all legal and regulatory sustainability requirements, a percentage that exceeds 90% for SMEs[1].
Career prospects for a Sustainability Analyst.
A Sustainability Analyst is a junior position that supports the Sustainability Manager in monitoring and reporting activities. Career prospects for this role are promising: after a few years of experience, a Sustainability Analyst can evolve into a Sustainability Manager or take on more strategic roles, such as Sustainability Director or Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO).
How to become a corporate sustainability officer.
To become a Sustainability Manager, it is necessary to pursue studies in environmental, economic, or engineering fields, complemented by professional experience in the sustainability sector. Postgraduate education is essential.
Bologna Business School offers a wide range of courses that prepare professionals to become Sustainability Managers.
The school’s programs cover a broad spectrum of sustainability-related topics: from green innovation to ecological transition management, circular economy, and sustainable finance.
Global MBA in Sustainability and Innovation
The Global MBA in Sustainability and Innovation is an advanced program that integrates business management with sustainability and innovation. This master’s program is designed for professionals who want to gain skills to lead companies through change with sustainable business models. Through a learning-by-doing approach, the course explores how technological innovations and sustainable processes can be used to create long-term value for both business and society. The international aspect of the program allows participants to confront global challenges and learn from experiences of various business realities.
Master in Business Management Green Management and Sustainable Businesses
The Master in Business Management, Green Management, and Sustainable Businesses is designed for those who want to develop skills in business management with a specific focus on sustainability. The course prepares recent graduates and young professionals to work in green management, addressing topics such as CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), natural resource management, environmental impact reduction, and creating value through sustainable practices. The program is suitable for those who aim to work in a company as a sustainability manager, supporting businesses on their journey toward a sustainable business model.
Master in Sustainability Transition Management (Part-time)
The Master in Sustainability Transition Management is designed to provide participants with all the tools to become managers capable of managing the transition to more sustainable business models. This part-time program focuses on how to plan and implement ecological transition strategies within organizations, with an emphasis on organizational change management, governance, and sustainability risk management.
Executive Master in Sustainability and Business Innovation
The Executive Master in Sustainability and Business Innovation is a program designed for experienced professionals who wish to explore the topic of sustainability in the context of innovative businesses. This course combines innovation management with a strong focus on sustainability, exploring how companies can integrate sustainable solutions into their production processes and growth strategies. The executive approach allows participants to learn through real-world cases and discussion with industry experts.
Executive Master in Sustainability Transition Management
The Executive Master in Sustainability Transition Management is designed for managers and business leaders who want to acquire specific skills to manage and lead the transition to sustainable business models. The program focuses on how to integrate sustainability into business strategies at the managerial level, with a strong focus on managing changes related to ecological transition, adopting green practices, and sustainable innovation. This is a highly practical master’s program, with a problem-solving approach and focus on managing change processes.
Open Program in Business Sustainability and Circular Economy
The Business Sustainability and Circular Economy program focuses on the concept of the circular economy, a key pillar of sustainability. Participants will learn how businesses can adopt regenerative business models, reduce waste, and optimize resource use. The course provides an overview of the most innovative practices and policies in the circular economy, preparing participants to manage the transition to more efficient resource management.
Open Program in ESG and Sustainable Finance
The Open Program in ESG and Sustainable Finance is aimed at those who want to deepen their understanding of finance applied to sustainability. Participants will explore how to integrate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria into financial decisions and how to develop sustainable investment strategies. The program offers practical training on how to create financial value through sustainable practices, an increasingly important area in the global economic landscape.
Open Program in Sustainability Reporting
The Open Program in Sustainability Reporting is a training course designed to delve into the changes driven by the ever-evolving sustainability reporting standards. The sustainability report, increasingly essential for companies, is the core focus of this program, which aims to train professionals who can handle measurement, reporting, and communication of corporate sustainability performance.
Bologna Business School, one of the first schools of excellence to focus on sustainability through its BBS Initiative for Sustainable Society and Business, is a leading European hub for cutting-edge research on sustainability topics. Today, it is one of the most advanced centers for training managers and professionals capable of making a profound impact on sustainability issues across all types
[1] https://blog.3bee.com/en/sustainability-reporting-italy-france-germany/
