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Salary Range
€35k - €80k
Career Zone

In Brief...

Helps companies and businesses become more socially and environmentally responsible in how they operate. Create sustainable solutions for the often conflicting needs of people, the environment and business development.

Knowledge

  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Law and Government Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  • Communications and Media Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  • Building and Construction Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Knowledge areas are ranked by their importance to this career

Skills

  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Skills are ranked by their importance to this career

Work Environment

Sustainability Advisors typically work in the following Career Sectors:

Public Relations & Communications
Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations
Consulting
Business Management & Human Resources
Community Work
Community & Voluntary
Protecting the Enviroment
Earth & Environment
Earth Science
Earth & Environment
Climate Change
Earth & Environment
Sustainable Energy
Earth & Environment
Environmental Science
Earth & Environment
Micromobility
Transport & Logistics

Videos & Interviews

Amy O’Dwyer, Associate Sustainability Advisor

Videos on the Web

Most commonly reported Work Activities

  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
  • Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

 

 

The Work

Work focus

  • Discusses our tasks for the day and project deadlines
  • Share our ideas to form plans and strategies for sustainability 
  • Project team collaboration
  • Create effective strategies for completing projects
  • Delivering events and organising roadshows
  • Collaborating with team members on client’s projects & client engagement
  • Providing workshops to educate client supply chains on sustainability
  • Working with the marketing department to design and promote events
  • Reviewing insights & creating white papers
  • To provide education, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) accreditation, events and networking to clients

Work Tasks 

  • Conduct desk-based bench marking and research on clients, industries, and market trends.
  • Analyse client documentation and identify improvement opportunities (gap analysis).
  • Synthesise research findings into key themes, analyse information to develop conclusions and draft recommendations for client deliverables.
  • Prepare client deliverables.
  • Support the development of corporate sustainability reports, including outlining, writing, editing, and proofreading content and other client communications.
  • Participate in client meetings and workshops and maintain required documentation.
  • Assist in general business development research, marketing, and other development tasks.

 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

  • Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of sustainability programs.
  • Develop or execute strategies to address issues such as energy use, resource conservation, recycling, pollution reduction, waste elimination, transportation, education, and building design.
  • Develop, or oversee the development of, sustainability evaluation or monitoring systems.
  • Supervise employees or volunteers working on sustainability projects.
  • Develop sustainability reports, presentations, or proposals for supplier, employee, academia, media, government, public interest, or other groups.
  • Develop, or oversee the development of, marketing or outreach media for sustainability projects or events.
  • Identify and evaluate pilot projects or programs to enhance the sustainability research agenda.
  • Create and maintain sustainability program documents, such as schedules and budgets.
  • Formulate or implement sustainability campaign or marketing strategies.
  • Research environmental sustainability issues, concerns, or stakeholder interests.

Qualities - Sustainability Advisor

  • Logical and creative
  • Creative
  • Organised and focused
  • Strong communication skills
  • An ability to multitask
  • Teamwork 
  • Planning 
  • Reflective on performance
  • Open to new ways of learning and developing practice
  • An interest in socio-economic, cultural, inclusivity, political, and environmental issues

Interests - Sustainability Advisor

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Entry - Sustainability Advisor

This is a senior role which requires significant knowledge and experience. Many Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability Managers start their careers as sales or customer service staff or Human resources and then progress to supervisors and eventually a Manager role. 

The most relevant degree subjects include business, management and marketing. Although a degree can sometimes be required, experience and track record are often more important to the employer.

Training & Development Pathways

You can often progress to an even more senior management role over time by building up experience and taking on more responsibilities.

Training can also help you progress and there are both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business and management which can support you in your career.

FET Centre Traineeship: Business, Hospitality, Customer service, Events promotion, Digital marketing and Management NFQ level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Business management & Sales, HR, PR, Marketing & Digital marketing available around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Accounting, Sales, Financial & Insurance services Apprenticeships NFQ levels 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Finance, Accounting, Human resources, Public Relations, CSR  & Corporate sustainability, and Marketing management NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Marketing, Business, Public Relations, sustainability, HR, & Promotions NFQ level 9

International Financial Services Skillnet Network 

Irish Banking & Payments federation 

Financial Services Union

The 30% club: Growth Through Diversity 

Inst for Corporate Responsibility

Last Updated: April, 2023

Pay & Salary - Sustainability Advisor

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €80k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley / Sigmar / Indeed/ Glassdoor/ WEI

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

Labour Market Updates - Sustainability Advisor

Useful Contacts - Sustainability Advisor

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