What does a Chief Sustainability Officer do?

The primary goal of the Chief Sustainability Officer is to improve an organization’s sustainability while balancing the economic and social aspects of it. This might include reducing water and energy consumption, minimizing waste, improving manufacturing processes and making products more sustainable. They aim to not only minimize the environmental impact of the company but also promote those actions to the public to improve the company’s branding and reputation. As the head of a company’s sustainability efforts, the Chief Sustainability Officer researches the current situation and develops new ways to improve in various areas. They also stay current on laws and regulations related to sustainable practices to ensure the company is compliant. Once they implement the programs and strategies, they track their effectiveness and create learning materials and training sessions to educate employees on their role in the initiatives.

Chief Sustainability Officer skills and qualifications

The duties of a Chief Sustainability Offer require several skills to be effective in the role. Consider including the following qualifications in your job description:

• Creativity and innovation

• Effective written and verbal communication

• Strong research and problem-solving skills

• Ability to gather and use data to make sustainability decisions

• Understanding of the environment and sustainability best practices

• Competence with technology and software programs

• Ability to work with various groups, including consumers, managers and experts

• Teaching and training skills

Chief Sustainability Officer experience requirements

As a C-suite position, the Chief Sustainability Officer needs extensive experience in both sustainability and leadership roles. Companies might require previous environmental work at an entry or associate level as well as a few years of managerial or supervisory experience. Having marketing experience can also be beneficial, as the role may include helping with your company’s branding.

Chief Sustainability Officer education and training requirements

There isn’t a standard educational program that Chief Sustainability Officers must complete, but many organizations look for candidates with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, business administration, social science or similar fields. Having a master’s degree is also a possible requirement for a Chief Sustainability Officer since it’s a higher-level position. You might also look for candidates with related certifications, such as Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) or Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) from the International Society of Sustainability Professionals.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this job description isn’t a perfect match for your needs, these job descriptions for similar positions might be more appropriate:

• Environmental Engineer

• Environmental Scientist

• Chief Operating Officer

• Chief Marketing Officer

Chief Sustainability Officer job description FAQs

What qualities make a good Chief Sustainability Officer?

A good Chief Sustainability Officer keeps up to date on environmental issues and the latest research in the field. They’re innovative in improving sustainability while protecting profits. They enjoy digging deeper into issues to find solutions, and they can share what they know about sustainability with others.

What is the difference between a Chief Sustainability Officer and a Chief Operating Officer?

A Chief Operating Officer handles the overall day-to-day operations of the business. They might take sustainability into account, but it’s not their primary focus. A Chief Sustainability Officer is also a C-suite executive, but this role focuses specifically on sustainable practices related to the operations of the company.

What should you look for in a Chief Sustainability Officer resume?

Compare the duties based on your job description to the experience on the resume to look for similarities. Extensive experience in sustainable practices, especially if it’s in the same industry as your business, can help the candidate perform well. Check for concrete examples with data to back up the applicant’s effectiveness in making a company more sustainable.

How can you make your Chief Sustainability Officer job description stand out?

The number of companies hiring Chief Sustainability Officers is increasing, so including details that make your company unique can help you receive more applications. Detail the duties and opportunities the applicant will have along with the support they’ll receive in their initiatives. Provide details on benefits, especially extra perks beyond the norm.