How to build a career in sustainability? Discover the top 10 skills

What does it really take to build a career in sustainability today? As environmental and social imperatives reshape global markets, organizations across every sector are racing to embed sustainability into their core strategy. That shift is creating a surge in demand for professionals who can turn ambition into action, executives who understand how to lead sustainable transformation from within.

In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 skills that define successful sustainability leaders today. You’ll also discover how to build those skills, where to apply them, and how to stand out in one of the most future-focused career paths of the decade.

Let’s start by understanding what a sustainability career actually looks like and why it matters now more than ever.

1. What does a career in sustainability look like today?
2. Why are sustainability skills in high demand?
3. Top 10 skills to build a successful career in sustainability
4. What jobs can you get with these skills? Exploring green jobs of the future
5. How to showcase your sustainability skills on a resume that stands out
6. A career in sustainability is a long-term leadership opportunity

What does a career in sustainability look like today?

A career in sustainability is no longer confined to environmental NGOs or regulatory compliance roles. Today, it represents a broad and evolving landscape of opportunities that cut across industries, sectors, and business functions. Sustainability has become a core driver of strategic growth and the professionals leading that charge are reshaping how organizations operate and create value.

From Chief Sustainability Officers and ESG analysts to sustainable procurement leads and climate strategy consultants, these roles are not just about minimizing harm: they’re about designing better systems. Whether you’re working on decarbonization, circular economy models, or inclusive supply chains, sustainability professionals are expected to deliver impact at scale.

For those interested in strategic influence across industries, a career in sustainability consulting offers a dynamic path. Consultants in this space help organizations assess their risks and opportunities, develop sustainability roadmaps, and align their operations with evolving regulations and stakeholder expectations.

Regardless of the entry point, one thing is clear: careers in sustainability are diverse, impactful, and increasingly essential. But to succeed in this space, professionals need more than passion: they need a robust and adaptive skillset.

Why are sustainability skills in high demand?

Sustainability has moved from the margins of business to the center of strategic decision-making. Global challenges like climate change, resource scarcity, and social inequality are reshaping markets, altering stakeholder expectations, and redefining what long-term business success looks like.

Organizations are under growing pressure to demonstrate resilience—not only in financial terms, but also in their environmental and social performance. This shift is creating an urgent need for professionals who can navigate complexity, link sustainability to competitive advantage, and lead transformation across the enterprise.

Here’s a deep dive on why sustainable careers are gaining momentum in the current market landscape:

• Regulation is intensifying: From the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to new carbon pricing frameworks, compliance requires specialized expertise.
• Customers are shifting: Conscious consumption is forcing companies to rethink value propositions and product lifecycles.
• Reputation is on the line: Sustainability is increasingly tied to brand trust, employee engagement, and market positioning.
• Investors are watching: ESG performance now influences access to capital and shareholder confidence.
• Transformation is complex: Integrating sustainability across business units requires leaders who can align strategy, operations, and culture.

As sustainability in business becomes a source of both risk and opportunity, demand is rising for leaders who can translate ambition into measurable outcomes. These roles are appearing in every function—from operations and finance to marketing and supply chain—and are expanding the influence of existing leadership positions.

So, what does that skillset look like?

Top 10 skills to build a successful career in sustainability

Succeeding in a career in sustainability goes far beyond technical knowledge or environmental passion: it requires a distinct combination of strategic leadership, systems thinking, and cross-functional agility.

What follows is a set of core skills that reflect the shifting expectations of sustainability roles today. They speak to what organizations value most: individuals who can translate ambition into action, connect sustainability with business outcomes, and lead transformation in an increasingly complex world.

Let’s explore them one by one:

1. Systems thinking

Systems thinking is the ability to understand how different elements within a system interact, influence one another, and create outcomes (intended or not). In the context of sustainability, it means recognizing that environmental, social, and economic issues are deeply interconnected.

This perspective enables leaders to identify patterns, uncover root causes, and design solutions that address challenges holistically rather than in isolation, making it essential for driving long-term value creation.

2. Strategic vision

Sustainability must align with business goals to gain traction. Strategic vision means connecting sustainability initiatives with growth, innovation, and competitive advantage. Leaders need to see beyond compliance and position sustainability as a catalyst for transformation.

3. Creative problem solving

Standard solutions don’t work in a changing world. Sustainability leaders must navigate uncertainty and design innovative responses to complex challenges, from net-zero transitions to circular supply chains. Creativity and experimentation are key to progress.

4. Data literacy and impact measurement

You can’t manage what you can’t measure. In sustainability, this means being able to track ESG performance, interpret data, and communicate results effectively.

Familiarity with frameworks like GRI the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for broad sustainability disclosure, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) for industry-specific metrics, and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) for climate risk reporting helps ensure that data is credible, comparable, and aligned with stakeholder expectations.

5. Stakeholder engagement

Sustainability requires buy-in across the value chain. From employees and investors to regulators and communities, executives must be able to listen, align interests, and co-create solutions. Influence is built through transparency and trust.

6. Cross-functional collaboration

Sustainability doesn’t live in a single department. It touches everything from product design to logistics to finance. Leaders must work across silos to embed sustainable practices into core operations and decision-making.

7. Regulatory and ESG knowledge

With sustainability regulation evolving rapidly, staying compliant is non-negotiable. Leaders need to understand the global ESG landscape, anticipate changes, and ensure that sustainability strategies meet both legal and investor expectations.

8. Leadership and change management

Embedding sustainability into an organization requires culture change. Strong leaders can communicate a compelling vision, manage resistance, and build the capabilities needed for transformation. Emotional intelligence is as important as strategic thinking.

9. Adaptability and resilience

Climate risk, geopolitical shifts, and supply chain disruption are now part of business reality. Leaders in sustainability must remain agile, bounce back from setbacks, and help teams stay focused through uncertainty.

10. Global and cultural intelligence

Sustainability is a global challenge but solutions must be local, inclusive, and context-sensitive. Leaders with cultural intelligence can build coalitions, navigate regional differences, and design strategies that resonate across markets.

What jobs can you get with these skills? Exploring green jobs of the future

A career in sustainability doesn’t follow a single track. In fact, many of the green jobs of the future are emerging within traditional business functions like finance, supply chain, operations, and marketing, now redefined by sustainability imperatives. These roles go beyond environmental compliance; they are about embedding sustainability into core strategy, decision-making, and value creation.

As sustainability becomes a strategic priority across industries, professionals with the right skillset are increasingly sought after, not just for dedicated ESG or climate-related roles, but for their ability to lead transformation across the business.

Here are some of the most relevant and forward-looking roles where sustainability skills are in high demand:

Corporate roles

Corporate roles in sustainability are embedded within companies across industries, from manufacturing and retail to finance and technology. Professionals in these positions influence strategy, operations, and culture, ensuring that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities align with broader business objectives.

• Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) – Sets and oversees the company’s global sustainability agenda, aligning ESG goals with overall business strategy. Reports to the CEO or board and often leads cross-functional initiatives.
• ESG Manager or Director – Manages ESG programs, including data reporting, materiality assessments, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with frameworks like GRI, SASB, or TCFD.
• Sustainable Supply Chain Manager – Develops procurement strategies that reduce environmental impact and ensure ethical labor practices, often working closely with suppliers to meet sustainability targets.
• Net Zero Program Lead – Leads company-wide carbon reduction strategies, including emissions mapping, science-based target setting, and implementation of decarbonization roadmaps.

Consulting and advisory

Consultants and advisors help organizations integrate sustainability into their core operations, navigate regulatory requirements, and identify opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage. This work often spans multiple industries and sectors, offering variety and exposure to diverse sustainability challenges.

• Sustainability Consultant – Advises businesses or governments on embedding sustainability into operations, reporting, and growth strategies; may specialize in climate risk, circular economy, or sustainable innovation.
• ESG Due Diligence Advisor – Supports private equity, M&A, and investment teams by identifying material ESG risks and opportunities in target companies or portfolios.
• Climate Risk Analyst – Quantifies potential financial exposure related to climate change scenarios and integrates these insights into enterprise risk management.

Public sector and nonprofit

In the public and nonprofit spheres, sustainability professionals shape policy, develop programs, and drive initiatives that address pressing environmental and social challenges on a local, national, or global scale.

• Environmental Policy Advisor – Works within government agencies, think tanks, or NGOs to develop and advocate for regulations and policies that advance sustainable development goals.
• Sustainable Development Program Manager – Designs and implements programs focused on areas such as energy access, biodiversity, clean water, or climate resilience, often collaborating with multilateral organizations.

Entrepreneurship and innovation

Entrepreneurs and innovators in sustainability turn environmental challenges into business opportunities, creating products, services, and business models that promote ecological and social well-being.

• Green Startup Founder – Builds ventures that solve environmental challenges, from clean energy platforms to circular fashion brands or sustainable packaging alternatives.
• Sustainable Product Manager – Leads the design and go-to-market strategy of environmentally responsible products, balancing customer needs, cost efficiency, and sustainability performance.

Research and academia

Research-driven roles provide the evidence and analysis needed to shape corporate strategy, public policy, and global sustainability frameworks.

• Sustainability Data Analyst – Collects and analyzes ESG-related data to support corporate reporting, policy evaluation, or sustainability benchmarking.
• Impact Researcher or Sustainability Scientist – Conducts research on sustainability outcomes, offering insights that inform business decisions, regulatory approaches, or funding priorities.

Now, let’s see how to position yourself for one of these roles, starting with your resume.

How to showcase your sustainability skills on a resume that stands out

If you’re pursuing a career in sustainability, your resume should do more than list responsibilities. It should clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience align with sustainability goals, business impact, and leadership potential. This is particularly important for senior professionals transitioning from other areas, where sustainability may not have been the core focus but was part of strategic decision-making.

Here’s how to showcase your sustainability skills effectively:

1. Quantify your sustainability-related impact

Employers want to see outcomes. Highlight concrete results from sustainability initiatives you’ve led or contributed to. This could include emissions reductions, cost savings from efficiency programs, improvements in ESG ratings, or progress toward sustainability goals.

For example:

• Reduced company-wide energy consumption by 18% through process optimization and behavior change programs
• Designed and implemented a supplier audit system that increased compliance with sustainability criteria by 40%
• Oversaw ESG reporting aligned with CSRD requirements, resulting in stronger investor engagement and transparency

2. Use language that reflects sustainability leadership

Make sure your resume includes language that signals strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and systems awareness. Terms like “value chain integration,” “stakeholder alignment,” “climate strategy,” “impact measurement,” and “regulatory compliance” indicate a strong command of sustainability-related concepts.

When describing your experience, emphasize how sustainability was embedded into broader business goals or risk management frameworks, rather than treating it as a standalone effort.

3. Highlight relevant education, training, and certifications

Formal learning demonstrates both credibility and commitment to the field. If you’ve completed executive programs, industry-recognized certifications, or technical training in ESG, sustainability, or climate risk, list them prominently in your resume or LinkedIn profile.

4. Feature transferable leadership experience

Even if your past roles weren’t in sustainability, many core leadership capabilities transfer directly. Highlight examples where you led complex projects, managed risk, drove innovation, or influenced organizational change. If these initiatives had environmental or social implications, make that connection clear.

Consider including a dedicated section titled “Sustainability and Impact” to consolidate relevant accomplishments across your career.

5. Tailor your resume to the specific role and employer

Each sustainability role will prioritize different capabilities depending on the industry, maturity of the sustainability function, and regulatory environment. Review the job description carefully and reflect its language in your resume. Align your examples with the organization’s stated goals, whether that’s carbon reduction, ESG disclosure, supply chain transparency, or inclusive growth.

A well-crafted resume signals more than experience: it shows strategic alignment, adaptability, and the ability to lead sustainability in real-world business contexts.

In the next section, we’ll share practical tips to help you build momentum and grow your influence in the field.

A career in sustainability is a long-term leadership opportunity

For professionals across industries, building a career in sustainability is one of the most impactful paths forward. But long-term success requires more than passion or good intentions. It takes strategic thinking, adaptability, and the ability to lead change across systems, teams, and markets.

Whether you’re pivoting into a sustainability-focused role or aiming to deepen your impact where you are, the right capabilities—and the right support—can accelerate your journey.

If you’re ready to become the go-to expert in sustainable business transformation, IMD’s Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation is designed to help you lead at the next level. This flexible, practice-oriented degree equips you with the tools, network, and credibility to embed sustainability into core strategy and drive transformation across your organization.

You’ll graduate with recognized expertise in:

• Sustainable business strategy and innovation
• Systems thinking and ESG integration
• Leading enterprise-wide change with purpose and clarity

With 60 ECTS credits and a globally respected qualification, this Executive Master is for leaders who want to turn sustainability into long-term competitive advantage.

Explore the program and start shaping the future of business profitably, responsibly, and for the long term.