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Sustainability Manager

The primary responsibility of the Sustainability Manager is to oversee and coordinate sustainability initiatives in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

This position may lead research or initiatives around sustainability, setting strategies to ensure that all aspects of the business align with environmental and governmental standards. Reducing an organization's carbon footprint is often a key goal for a Sustainability Manager.

Other related job titles may include Director of Sustainability, Chief Sustainability Officer and Sustainability Director.

Ben Cazell

Rayonier Senior Manager, Sustainable Forestry

I'm very proud of the stewardship that our foresters demonstrate on the land. They manage the forest as if it were their own. It's my job to help them constantly improve, holding themselves to the highest standards of sustainable forestry.

Education

A Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies, Forestry, Business Management, or Sustainability is ideal for this position. Earning a Master’s Degree in Environmental Policy, Economics, or Business Administration is recommended, but often not required.

Helpful courses to take in high school include any class focused on environmental science, biology, chemistry, engineering, and economics.

Tools of the Trade

Sustainability management software. These types of software help companies manage the data they produce, tracking topics such as finances, waste management, the organization's environmental impact, etc.
Design tools such as blueprint software, Adobe Illustrator, AutoCAD, and Pro Engineer (for creating 3D and 2D design models).

Important Skills

This position requires regular communication across the company, so public and interpersonal speaking skills are essential. Leadership skills are needed, as Sustainability Managers supervise and guide various groups of staff and stakeholders based on company goals.

Knowledge of environmental regulations at the federal, state, and local levels is critical.

Design technique skills may be needed for producing blueprints, drawings, and models.

Job Responsibilities

Sustainability Managers are responsible for analyzing business operations to predict future climate impact. To do so, they monitor their employer's environmental, societal and economic practices.

The challenge for the Sustainability Manager in a forestry company is to figure out how the company will meet society’s needs while balancing forest sustainability. To do so, forest data is collected and analyzed. From this data, the Sustainability Manager enacts policies to ensure the company is both environmentally and socially responsible.

A large portion of this position is spent ensuring the forestry organization remains in alignment with sustainability certification standards (i.e. SFI). He or she audits the organization, ensuring all employees managing forest lands abide by set standards. From these audits, the Sustainability Manager offers guidance on how to improve through employee trainings. You can watch a video of a sustainable forestry audit here.

Activities the Sustainability Manager monitors include the process of waste elimination, water quality practices, carbon emissions, climate risk, etc.

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