Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) jobs are on the rise. This comes as no surprise as investors and stakeholders prioritise environmental, social, and corporate governance issues across all industries. Dubbed Sustainability 2.0, businesses are going beyond being sustainable and instead striving for regenerative practices that restore and enhance natural ecosystems. So, what does this mean for ESG jobs? It means companies can’t hire enough staff with skillsets (and mindsets) in both traditional finance and sustainability.
There is great scope for finance professionals to make a real and measurable difference in the ESG space. In this article, we explore the multiple ways to build an ESG career in the lead up to our event, ‘The Road to Sustainability: Career Pathways in ESG’ on March 23rd with ESG Division Manager, Lisa Tracy.
Some key skills required for a career in ESG
ESG talent needs to demonstrate intellectual and analytical rigor, high ethics, and the right credentials. Professionals from a range of backgrounds are attracted to this field, which requires a key set of skills and competencies:
Analytical skills and critical thinking: An ability to collect, analyse, and interpret data related to ESG performance and risks. This requires strong analytical skills as well as critical thinking.
Communication skills: An ability to communicate results clearly and effectively to a variety of stakeholders, including investors, policymakers, and the public.
Financial acumen: A good understanding of finance and investment, particularly if involved in investment analysis and portfolio management.
Sustainability expertise: A deep understanding of sustainability issues, including environmental and social risks, trends and best practices in the field.
Interpersonal skills: Professionals tend to work closely with a variety of stakeholders, including company management, investors, and NGOs. Strong interpersonal skills are important for building relationships and engaging with these groups effectively.
Project management skills: Professionals may manage projects that aim to improve a company’s ESG performance, or in producing ESG reports. Project management skills are important for ensuring that these initiatives are completed on time and within budget.
Adaptability: ESG is constantly evolving so it’s important to adapt to changing circumstances and stay up to date with the latest developments.
ESG Job Opportunities
The number of businesses appointing a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) is expanding rapidly. More CSOs were hired in 2021 than in the previous five years combined. The core responsibilities of the CSO, the manager responsible for a company’s environmental impact, resources, and plans, involve:
Outside the role of the CSO, there are multiple entry points for finance professionals seeking to enter the ESG field. Our new ESG Recruitment Division in fact can support you gain clarity on your specific resourcing needs and provide ESG career advice to help you land your next ESG role. Such roles include:
ESG Analyst: Conducts research and analysis of companies to evaluate ESG performance and risks.
Sustainability Consultant: Advises companies on how to improve their ESG performance, reduce their environmental impact, and engage with stakeholders.
ESG Portfolio Manager: Responsible for overseeing a portfolio of investments that align with ESG principles.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager: Responsible for developing and implementing a company’s CSR program, including initiatives related to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and corporate governance.
Sustainability Reporter: Responsible for producing reports on ESG performance and communicating results to stakeholders.
Sense Makers: Professionals who can make sense of complex sustainability issues and data and communicate them to various stakeholders.
Transformation Managers: Responsible for leading sustainability transformations within an organisation. These roles are becoming increasingly important as companies strive to improve their ESG performance and integrate sustainability into their business strategies.
ESG innovation and technology
As mentioned, Sustainability 2.0 is a new wave of sustainable business practice. It not only considers the environmental and social impact of a company but embraces innovation and technology to find solutions to climate issues and sustainability challenges. This is particularly pertinent in the areas of renewable energy, the circular economy and sustainable agriculture.
The best way to stay up to date with emerging ESG topics is to attend relevant conferences, read aligned publications, network with experts such as climate scientists, engineers, and technologists, and participate in online courses and training. By doing so, a company’s ESG performance can be improved in the following ways:
Implement new sustainable practices: New technologies, such as renewable energy and energy-efficient building materials, can be leveraged to improve the sustainability performance of businesses.
Monitor and report on ESG metrics: Technologies like big data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence can be used to collect, analyse, and report on ESG metrics.
Improve supply chain management: New technologies can help businesses to better manage their supply chains, including traceability and transparency of products and materials, and reduce environmental and social risks.
Develop sustainable products and services: Technological innovations can be used to develop sustainable products and services that meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly and socially responsible solutions.
Industry collaboration leads to ESG success
Today, regenerative business and systems thinking go beyond traditional sustainability practices. They focus on creating ways to support the restoration, regeneration, and resilience of natural and social ecosystems. To be successful, collaboration among industries — businesses, governments, and NGOs — is required to achieve sustainable outcomes, particularly when it comes to regeneration. The benefits include shared knowledge, resources, and expertise, as well as increased credibility and impact. Successful examples include reforestation projects, ecosystem restoration initiatives, and sustainable urban planning. Sustainability professionals play a key role in fostering these collaborations by building strong relationships with stakeholders and advocating for sustainable practices. Ultimately, they can make a significant impact on the future of business and society.
Moir Group’s ESG Recruitment Division
In early February, we launched our new ESG Recruitment Division. It is a natural extension of our current services as the finance function is centrally positioned to drive the direction of sustainability and ESG. Our ESG Manager Lisa Tracy is an expert in recruiting ESG and sustainability professionals. For the past 15 years, she has sourced Heads of Sustainability, Chief Sustainability Officers, ESG experts and a variety of management and analyst roles across many industry sectors. If you are looking for a career in ESG and sustainability, we work across a range of exciting roles and sectors. We can also help you find the best talent match for your team and provide strategic advice on your ESG and HR strategy, positioning you for success.
Call Lisa on 0499 009 301
Email Lisa on lisatracy@moirgroup.com.au
Join our event
‘The Road to Sustainability: Career Pathways in ESG’ with ESG Manager Lisa Tracy on March 23rd at 9.30am AEST.
During this Zoom session, Lisa will shed light on the importance of ESG and the many career pathways that exist. She will share insights on the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities and the numerous career journeys into and within ESG. Sign up here.
Final thought
Moir Group regularly runs discussion groups and webinars on ESG topics. Don’t miss out on our next event. You can sign-up to our event alerts here.