How Do I Become a Chief Sustainability Officer?

The person in charge of an organization’s environmental and sustainability concerns is known as the chief sustainability officer. This could include initiatives aimed at reducing a company’s negative environmental impact, contributing to the environment in some way, and educating employees about sustainability. Executive experience and an interest in sustainability and environmental issues are usually required to become a chief sustainability officer. Education and experience in the field of sustainability can also improve one’s chances of becoming a chief sustainability officer. There is no set path to becoming a chief sustainability officer in terms of experience or education, but there are numerous ways to position oneself as a strong candidate for the position.

When pursuing a career as a chief sustainability officer, an educational path that emphasizes both executive and environmental skills and knowledge is recommended. Communication, business, and other courses of study that emphasize management and professional communication skills can typically prepare someone for this position; some universities even include sustainability training as part of their MBA programs. A science-related major, such as chemistry or biology, can also provide a solid scientific foundation, which is useful for those who need to make informed decisions about sustainability and the environment. More specialized scientific courses, such as environmental chemistry or ecology, may improve one’s chances of landing a job as a chief sustainability officer.

For someone who wants to be a chief sustainability officer, work experience is almost as important as education. A chief sustainability officer position is generally not given to people without prior executive experience because it is an executive position that requires strong management skills. As a result, gaining executive experience, whether or not it directly relates to sustainability or the environment, is critical to becoming a chief sustainability officer.

After gaining executive experience, look for a company that is hiring for a chief sustainability officer position. These jobs aren’t restricted to any particular industry, but they tend to be found at larger companies, particularly those that promote some aspect of their operations as “green.” Some companies may not have a formalized position with this title, but may have a position that is similar, such as an environmental policy manager or a director of social and environmental responsibility, that performs the same function and has a similar educational path.