Acre is the global leader in Sustainability, Impact and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) recruitment, working with companies to place market-leading individuals around the world. We work with a range of organisations, from renowned consultancies to the world's best known brands and non-profits.
Why are Director of Sustainability Jobs Important?
Over the past two decades, organisations have increasingly recognised that purpose and responsibility are closely linked to profitability. Today, businesses are required to navigate a growing array of statutory and reporting obligations, some rooted in global frameworks and others driven by local legislation.
At the same time, a company’s relationship with society has become central to its sustainability agenda, shaped by the expectations of stakeholders including customers, shareholders, investors and NGOs. As organisations seek to enhance cost efficiency and future-proof their business models, sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern; it is a strategic priority.
For this reason throughout the twenty first century, the demand for sustainability director/VP jobs has been growing.
The Chief Sustainability Officer
The most senior sustainability role is considered the CSO (Chief Sustainability Officer). The first CSO role created in the mid 2000s, but really gained prominence in the 2010s with many organisations adopting the position. The original view was that the CSO would be a position which sat on the main company board, even within blue-chip firms. Whilst this has been achieved in places, this hasn't yet been consistently realised. The CSO role has a variety of reporting lines, most likely into Strategy, Operations or Corporate Affairs according to Acre's 2023/24 Sustainability Market Census.
Sometimes, the CSO reports directly into a company's CEO, a strategic move which underscores the importance of sustainability - as observed by Leigh Pezzicara, VP Sustainability & Member of the Executive Board at La Prairie, "By integrating sustainability at the highest echelons of decision-making, organisations send a clear signal about their commitment to sustainability as a core strategic imperative".
Skill Sets and Experience
The technical expertise required for each director of sustainability role differs by sector. See our sector pages for more information. However, the leadership competencies required to lead effectively through the lens of sustainability are consistent and have been researched by Acre. Acre's competency framework draws upon interviews with over 150 sustainability leaders and is made up of eight competencies critical for success. Over 3000 individuals have been assessed against the framework and it is used both in Acre's executive search process, and for specific organisational development & assessment requirements.
Find out more and see the competency set on our Advisory Services page.
What Types of Sustainability and CSR Jobs are There?
There is a wide range of different sustainability and CSR roles available. Due to the heightened demand and need to act seriously in the face of climate change, many more businesses and organisations need sustainability departments and professionals.
- C-Suite, Board, and Leadership - Strategic leadership roles focused on defining and driving sustainability agendas at the highest level.
- Corporate Sustainability and ESG - Mid- to senior-level positions responsible for designing and delivering ESG and sustainability strategies.
- Nature and Biodiversity - Roles focused on natural capital, conservation, and biodiversity strategies.
- Sustainable Finance - Supporting financial institutions with ESG-focused hires across risk, product development, and investment strategies.
- Procurement and Supply Chain - Sustainability-focused supply chain roles ensuring responsible sourcing and ethical trade practices.
- Social Impact - Driving measurable outcomes through inclusive, community-led, and stakeholder-engaged sustainability strategies.
- Human Rights - Championing ethical practices by embedding human rights principles across business operations and value chains.
- Circular Economy & Waste - Accelerating the shift to regenerative systems through roles focused on waste reduction, resource reuse, and closed-loop innovation.
- Sustainable Buildings and Construction - Powering low-carbon design and resilient infrastructure through forward-thinking roles in green building and sustainable development.
- Water Stewardship - Supporting equitable and efficient water management through roles addressing conservation, access, and climate resilience.
- Sustainability & ESG Reporting - Ensuring transparency and accountability by embedding ESG metrics, disclosure standards, and regulatory readiness into business performance.
Sustainability, CSR & The Evolving Language of the Profession
There is perhaps no other profession with such complexity and nuance around its language. Whilst the CSR acronym was regularly used in the early 2000s and is still utilised globally, other phraseology has become more popular including, sustainability, impact and ESG.
In the past decade, the terms Sustainability, ESG and Impact have become more prominent, and whilst each has its own meaning, they are often used interchangeably.
What are Some Useful Resources for Sustainability Professionals?
If you want to find out more about CSR and sustainability talent trends or if you want some more information on sustainability career paths, click here to read our latest thought leadership.
If your business is interested in our services, please contact us today.
