Top 5 Fastest Growing Sustainability Roles in North America

Johnny Goldsmith, Global Head of Sustainability at Hanson Search, highlights the top 5 fastest-growing sustainability and ESG roles in North America for 2024. Read the full article below:

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for corporate leaders to throw around—it’s reshaping the talent landscape. As Head of Sustainability, I’ve seen firsthand the surge in demand for top-tier professionals in ESG and sustainability roles across North America and beyond.

From working to meet fast-changing regulatory requirements and ESG targets, to committing to a transparent and demonstrable sustainability strategy, executive search and recruitment firms alike are working with a whole new category of job titles.

Ahead of my attendance at New York Climate Week 2024, I wanted to share the top 5 fastest-growing sustainability and ESG roles in North America.

1. Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO)

The Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) has become a critical role for corporations aiming to integrate sustainability into their core strategy. CSOs are responsible for steering the company’s environmental policies and ensuring alignment with ESG frameworks. Reporting directly to the CEO, CSOs influence high-level decision-making, setting ambitious climate goals and working to improve corporate social responsibility.

Key Responsibilities:

• Developing long-term sustainability strategies.
• Aligning sustainability goals with business objectives.
• Managing ESG initiatives and regulatory compliance.

2. Director of Innovation and Sustainability

Companies need to focus on sustainability, but they can’t forget about everything else. Namely, innovation. The Director of Innovation and Sustainability plays a pivotal role in leading efforts to integrate sustainability into product development and business processes. This role ensures that innovation is achieved through eco-friendly designs, materials, and technologies, meeting consumer, stakeholder, and investor demands.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborating with R&D teams to design sustainable products.
• Leading the implementation of sustainable practices across departments.
• Driving eco-friendly innovation to improve business efficiency.

3. ESG Manager

Sustainability is important, but the scope of ESG goes way beyond the environment, and the growing focus on ESG has elevated the role of the ESG Manager. These professionals are responsible for ensuring that a company’s operations align with evolving social and governance standards – and managing the reporting and communication of sustainability performance to investors and other stakeholders. Increasingly, investors prioritize ESG criteria when making investment decisions, driving the need for dedicated professionals who can oversee these efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing and improving the company’s ESG performance.
• Monitoring ESG metrics and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Communicating sustainability initiatives to external stakeholders.

4. Head of Sustainability/ESG Reporting

Transparent reporting on sustainability initiatives has become essential for companies seeking to maintain stakeholder trust and attract sustainable investments. The Head of Sustainability/ESG Reporting is responsible for creating comprehensive reports on sustainability performance and ensuring that the data complies with global frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).

Key Responsibilities:

• Developing sustainability reports that comply with regulatory standards.
• Aligning company practices with ESG reporting frameworks.
• Gathering data from various departments to ensure accurate reporting.

5. Head of Sustainability/ESG Disclosures

In response to new laws and regulations, particularly regarding climate risk and carbon emissions, the role of Head of Sustainability/ESG Disclosures has gained prominence. This role focuses on ensuring that all disclosures, particularly those related to climate risks and governance, are accurate and compliant with evolving standards, such as those set by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensuring compliance with sustainability and ESG disclosure regulations.
• Preparing climate-related risk disclosures for investors and regulatory agencies.
• Aligning the company’s disclosures with international standards.

For talent and employers alike, understanding these trends is crucial to drive a sustainable impact.

If you’re interested in any of these roles, or their broader impact, I’m always happy to chat. I’ll be attending New York Climate Week 2024, 22^nd-29^th September. Drop me a message to arrange a coffee, or email me at JohnnyG@Hansonsearch.com