With growing global awareness of climate change and social responsibility, careers in sustainability are no longer niche they’re essential. If you’ve landed your first role in this field, the next big question is: How do you grow your career in sustainability?
According to our latest industry insights, lack of career development (30%) and job fulfilment (38%) are two leading reasons why professionals leave sustainability roles. To help address this, we gathered expert advice from a recent panel discussion hosted in partnership with IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment). The panel featured:
- Peter Bragg, Sustainability and Government Affairs Director at Canon
- Amelia Woodley, ESG Director at Speedy Hire
- Toby Shaw, Director of Marketing and Strategy at IEMA
- Victoria Chater-Lea, Sustainability Manager at Berkeley Group
Whether you’re new to the industry or looking to take your next step, here are four key strategies to help you thrive in your sustainability career.
1. Discover Your Strengths Through Volunteering and Extra Responsibilities
If you’re early in your journey or exploring new directions, volunteering or taking on responsibilities beyond your core role can offer valuable experience. Engaging in climate action projects or conservation groups could help you discover an area of passion, whether that’s biodiversity, sustainable finance, or net-zero strategies.
Amelia Woodley shared how her pro bono work and voluntary commitments helped her stand out when applying for new roles. Today, in addition to her role as ESG Director at Speedy Hire, she sits on advisory boards including the All-Party Parliamentary Group on ESG and IEMA’s Sustainable Finance Steering Group.
Taking initiative whether by chairing forums, contributing to events, or supporting green initiatives can give you a competitive edge and accelerate your growth.
2. Explore Different Roles Across the Sustainability Sector
Sustainability careers don’t always follow a straight path. In fact, embracing a non-linear path might open doors you hadn’t considered. This is where lateral moves can be powerful. Whether you’re shifting from compliance to corporate strategy or from an NGO to a multinational, experimenting across functions and sectors will build your expertise and adaptability.
Peter Bragg encourages professionals to think of their careers as a “lattice” rather than a ladder. A sideways step perhaps into a new type of organisation like an SME, consultancy, or international body can expose you to new challenges and broaden your experience.
In such a fast-evolving field, flexibility and curiosity are key traits for long-term success.
3. Develop Skills That Are in High Demand
To stay relevant and progress in your sustainability career, continual upskilling is essential. Start by identifying the capabilities that are highly sought after in today’s market.
Here’s where to focus:
- Technical and sector-specific skills: Get familiar with frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), circular economy models, and ESG regulations.
- Soft skills: Our data and expert panel highlight communication, stakeholder management, adaptability, negotiation, emotional intelligence, and the ability to learn quickly as top competencies.
- Professional development tools: The IEMA skills map is an excellent resource outlining core and advanced skills across career stages in sustainability.
Whether through formal training, mentorship, or hands-on projects, investing in your development positions you for advancement and impact.
4. Build Your Network and Seek Mentorship
In the world of sustainability, your network is one of your most powerful career tools. Connections can lead to new opportunities, partnerships, or even your next job.
Toby Shaw advises professionals to reach out to potential mentors by attending industry events or using platforms like LinkedIn. When connecting, be clear about your goals and areas of interest this helps potential mentors understand how they can support you.
Victoria Chater-Lea, who also leads the London and South East IEMA regional network, acknowledges that networking can feel intimidating at first. But each interaction builds confidence and visibility. Over time, networking helps shape your personal brand and opens doors you might not find through job boards alone.
Take the Next Step
A career in sustainability is both rewarding and challenging. By exploring new roles, continuously developing your skills, and nurturing meaningful professional relationships, you’ll not only grow your career you’ll help shape a more sustainable future.
At Resource Provider Ltd, we specialise in supporting professionals and organisations in the sustainability space. If you’re ready to take the next step, explore our latest sustainability job opportunities or speak with one of our consultants today.