Sustainability Manager Resume Guide

Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to reduce the environmental impact of a company or organization. They work to identify opportunities for sustainable practices, measure progress towards sustainability goals, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. Additionally, they create reports on sustainability performance and collaborate with other departments in order to foster an environmentally conscious culture.

As a sustainability manager, you understand the importance of preserving natural resources. Employers in this field need to know about your background and experience—and that’s where an attention-grabbing resume comes into play. Put together one that highlights your accomplishments, and watch doors start to open for you!

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Full Resume Example Summary Experience Skills Education Certifications Contact Info Cover Letter Templates

Sustainability Manager Resume Sample

Ari Ullrich
Sustainability Manager

[email protected]
397-700-8641
linkedin.com/in/ari-ullrich

Summary

Skilled sustainability manager with 8+ years of experience building corporate policies, creating awareness initiatives and developing programs to promote sustainable practices. Seeking a position at ABC Company to support the development of innovative strategies that will drive long-term environmental performance and contribute to the company’s bottom line. Significant accomplishments include reducing GHG emissions by 22% within two years, saving $380K in energy costs annually.

Experience

Sustainability Manager, Employer A
Detroit, Jan 2018 – Present

Streamlined operations of a $10 million sustainability program, resulting in an 18% reduction in energy consumption and costs.
Spearheaded the development and implementation of green initiatives to reduce waste output by 45%.
Participated actively in designing sustainable solutions for manufacturing processes that saved up to 20 hours per week on production time.
Meticulously monitored environmental performance indicators (such as water & air quality) against regulatory requirements; achieved compliance with all standards within 6 months of hire date.
Reorganized supply chain management system which decreased carbon footprint by 30%, while maintaining quality control across products & services offered by the company.

Sustainability Manager, Employer B
Corona, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

Mentored a team of 5 sustainability professionals in developing and implementing environmental initiatives that improved resource efficiency by 15%.
Revised existing environmental policies to meet regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance by 40%.
Structured a comprehensive program for monitoring energy use, water consumption and air quality across the organization; achieved an overall reduction in emissions by 25% over 6 months.
Developed partnerships with local organizations to create sustainable sourcing options for materials such as paper products and packaging supplies; reduced operational costs on these items by $8,000 annually.
Diligently monitored progress against sustainability goals using data from internal audits; identified areas of improvement resulting in a 19% increase in corporate social responsibility rating within 1 year.

Skills

Sustainability
Environmental Awareness
Sustainable Development
Energy Efficiency
Environmental Management Systems
Environmental Policy
Renewable Energy
Climate Change
Corporate Social Responsibility

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

Certified Sustainability Manager
International Society of Sustainability Profession
May 2017

1. Summary / Objective

The summary or objective at the beginning of your sustainability manager resume should provide a snapshot of who you are and why you excel in this field. This is where you can showcase your best qualities; for example, mention the environmental initiatives that have been successful under your watch, any certifications or awards related to sustainability management, and how many years’ experience you have in this role.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Passionate sustainability manager with 5+ years of experience driving sustainable business operations and reducing environmental impacts. Skilled in developing comprehensive sustainability strategies that align with organizational goals. At XYZ, reduced carbon emissions by 20% through innovative waste management practices and energy efficiency initiatives. Dedicated to inspiring employees, customers, partners and stakeholders to take action on climate change issues.

Proficient sustainability manager with 5+ years of experience driving environmental and social responsibility initiatives. Seeking to join ABC Corporation as the new Sustainability Manager, leveraging expertise in climate change policy, data analysis, and stakeholder management to ensure long-term success. At XYZ Inc., identified cost savings through energy efficiency measures resulting in a 25% reduction in electricity usage for all facilities.

Determined sustainability manager with a passion for creating sustainable solutions and leading projects that prevent environmental degradation. At XYZ, reduced landfill waste by 20% while increasing recycling rates to 75%. Led the development of corporate sustainability strategies at ABC Corporation which resulted in an overall reduction of CO2 emissions by 10%. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders across departments.

Well-rounded sustainability manager with 8+ years of experience driving sustainability initiatives in the corporate environment. Proven track record of success in reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and increasing employee engagement for environmental awareness. At XYZ Corporation, led a team to successfully implement an internal carbon footprint reduction program resulting in 25% savings on energy costs over two years.

Committed sustainability manager with 10+ years of experience driving green initiatives within organizations. Successfully implemented energy-saving strategies, reducing costs by 30% on an average at ABC Corp and XYZ Inc. Established a comprehensive waste management program for ABC Corp that resulted in reduced landfill disposals of 25%. Proven track record leading teams to embrace sustainable practices in the workplace.

Accomplished sustainability manager with 7+ years of experience in developing and implementing sustainability policies, programs, and initiatives. Seeking to join ABC Corporation as their next Sustainability Manager to drive measurable improvements on the organization’s environmental footprint while achieving cost savings. At XYZ Company reduced carbon emissions by 15% through a series of energy efficiency projects.

Hard-working sustainability manager with 7+ years of experience leading sustainability initiatives for organizations in the agricultural, retail, and hospitality industries. Seeking to join ABC Corporation to provide sustainable solutions that make a positive environmental impact on their operations. Extensive knowledge in developing long-term strategies for reducing waste output by an average of 19%.

Seasoned sustainability manager with 5+ years of experience leading initiatives to reduce environmental impacts. Proven track record of driving cost savings, improving resource efficiency and engaging stakeholders in the implementation process. Seeking a role at ABC Company to use my skillset to develop new strategies for increasing sustainability across operations.

2. Experience / Employment

In the experience/employment/work history section, you should list your roles in reverse chronological order, with the most recent role at the top.

When writing about what you did for each job, it is best to stick to bullet points. This makes it easier for readers to quickly digest all of the information that you want them to know. When writing these bullets, make sure they are detailed and include quantifiable results where possible.

For example, instead of saying “Developed sustainability strategy,” say something like “Developed a comprehensive sustainability strategy which resulted in an 8% reduction in energy consumption over 18 months.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Implemented
Monitored
Evaluated
Optimized
Analyzed
Advocated
Educated
Collaborated
Developed
Facilitated
Managed
Coordinated
Researched
Advised
Reported

Other general verbs you can use are:

Achieved
Assessed
Compiled
Demonstrated
Expedited
Formulated
Improved
Introduced
Mentored
Participated
Prepared
Presented
Reduced
Reorganized
Represented
Revised
Spearheaded
Streamlined
Structured
Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

Substantially reduced the company’s carbon footprint by 25% through implementation of sustainable practices, such as recycling and energy conservation.
Represented the company in various local sustainability initiatives to foster community engagement within our corporate social responsibility program.
Compiled monthly reports on resource utilization performance metrics; achieved an overall score of 85%.
Presented research findings to executive stakeholders regarding potential cost savings from implementing eco-friendly production processes and materials; identified $150k in annual savings opportunities for consideration.
Assessed current operations against industry standards related to waste management, water efficiency, air quality control, transportation optimization and other environmental criteria; developed a roadmap for achieving ISO 14001 certification ahead of schedule with minimal disruption to business activities.

Advocated for sustainable practices throughout the company and successfully implemented initiatives to reduce carbon emissions by 10%, saving $200,000 annually in energy costs.
Researched new methods of waste management and spearheaded a recycling program that led to an overall decrease of 20% in landfill disposal over two years.
Achieved LEED Certification for five newly constructed buildings with recommended improvements on water conservation, air quality and green materials sourcing; reduced CO2 output by 7%.
Expedited implementation of sustainability policies across 15 operational sites worldwide within three months, increasing compliance rates from 50% to 95%.
Accurately tracked data related to resource consumption using software programs such as Microsoft Excel; identified monthly trends that allowed for more efficient budget allocation towards sustainability projects & goals.

Coordinated the development and implementation of sustainability policies, measures and initiatives across all departments; achieved a 10% reduction in energy consumption within the first year.
Implemented waste management strategies to reduce landfill waste by 40%, as well as recycling programs that significantly lowered CO2 emissions by 25%.
Advised senior executives on sustainable practices such as water conservation, renewable energy sources and green supply chain solutions; saved $250K annually without compromising quality standards.
Demonstrated expertise in assessing environmental impacts & hazards, creating risk mitigation plans while ensuring compliance with applicable laws & regulations set forth by local government bodies.
Independently facilitated educational workshops for employees on topics related to sustainability awareness and best practices at work; increased employee engagement levels from 45-70%.

Evaluated current business practices to identify potential sustainability improvements, leading to a 14% reduction in water usage and an 11% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions over the last 3 years.
Analyzed relevant data from internal & external sources to develop strategies for improving operational efficiency; able to reduce energy consumption by 8% annually while maintaining quality service standards.
Managed a team of 5 junior sustainability professionals responsible for implementing initiatives that promote eco-friendly operations throughout the organization; reduced waste sent to landfill sites by nearly 20%.
Educated staff on sustainable principles and best practices through one-on-one mentoring sessions, group workshops and online training modules; improved employee engagement scores related to environmental awareness by 13%.
Reliably monitored progress towards meeting established goals regarding resource conservation & pollution prevention efforts, quickly addressing any discrepancies or issues before they escalated further into costly problems.

Collaborated with engineering, finance and marketing teams to develop and execute sustainability strategies that reduced emissions by 30% in the last year.
Reduced energy costs by $15,000 annually through efficient usage of resources and implementation of green initiatives such as solar panels installation on site.
Reported monthly progress of all sustainability projects to senior management; consistently achieved objectives ahead of schedule within budget guidelines for the past three years.
Thoroughly assessed potential environmental impacts from new business activities & proposed innovative solutions to reduce risks while meeting customer expectations regarding quality standards & delivery timescales.
Improved waste management processes throughout the organization resulting in a 20% reduction in landfill waste over one year period.

Prepared comprehensive sustainability strategies and plans to reduce carbon emissions by 40%, improve resource use efficiency, enhance recycling activities, and promote sustainable production across the organization.
Monitored environmental metrics such as water/energy consumption levels, waste output rates, air quality indices and green house gas emission levels in order to accurately report progress against corporate targets on a monthly basis.
Optimized organizational processes through implementation of renewable energy solutions; decreased overall company electricity costs by 25% within 3 months of taking up role.
Introduced innovative technologies like LED lighting systems & natural ventilation systems for cost savings measures while improving working environment conditions; saved $5K in operational expenses per quarter from these initiatives alone.
Competently provided leadership for all sustainability projects including employee engagement programs & stakeholder outreach campaigns that helped the business reach its ambitious goals ahead of schedule with minimal disruption to daily operations.

Utilized a comprehensive sustainability program to identify and optimize the environmental impact of operations, resulting in a 20% reduction in energy consumption across all departments.
Formulated strategies for reducing waste production by introducing recycling initiatives and replacing single-use products with reusable alternatives; achieved an 18% decrease in landfill contributions over two years.
Consistently monitored energy use, water supply usage, hazardous materials disposal records and other aspects of resource efficiency to ensure compliance with local regulations as well as company policies related to sustainability practices.
Facilitated regular meetings between stakeholders from different departments to discuss the progress of green projects implemented within the organization; increased employee engagement by 25%.

3. Skills

The skillset employers require in an employee will likely vary, either slightly or significantly; skimming through their job adverts is the best way to determine what each is looking for. One organization might need a sustainability manager with experience in environmental regulations, while another might require someone who is knowledgeable about green energy solutions.

It is important to tailor the skills section of your resume for each job you apply for because many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) these days. These computer programs scan resumes and filter out those that don’t contain certain keywords or phrases related to the position being applied for.

Therefore, make sure to include any relevant qualifications or certifications here; additionally, elaborate on them further in other sections such as the summary statement or work history if necessary.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

Analysis
Business Development
Business Strategy
Carbon
Carbon Footprinting
Carbon Management
Change Management
Climate Change
Communication
Community Development
Community Engagement
Contract Management
Corporate Social Responsibility
Data Analysis
Energy
Energy Audits
Energy Efficiency
Energy Management
Engineering
Environmental Auditing
Environmental Awareness
Environmental Compliance
Environmental Consulting
Environmental Education
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Issues
Environmental Management Systems
Environmental Policy
Environmental Science
Event Management
Fundraising
Grant Writing
Green Building
ISO 14001
LEED
Nonprofits
Policy
Policy Analysis
Program Management
Project Planning
Proposal Writing
Public Policy
Recycling
Renewable Energy
Report Writing
Risk Assessment
Stakeholder Engagement
Strategy
Sustainability
Sustainability Consulting
Sustainability Reporting
Sustainable Business
Sustainable Design
Sustainable Development
Teaching
Team Leadership
Teamwork
Time Management
Waste Management
Water

4. Education

Adding an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you have recently graduated and don’t have much work experience, include a section below your resume objective to showcase the education related to sustainability management that you obtained. On the other hand, if you’ve been working as a sustainability manager for years with many accomplishments under your belt, omitting an education section is perfectly acceptable.

If including an education section on your resume make sure it contains courses or subjects relevant to the role of sustainability manager that show off what knowledge and skillset you bring to the table.

Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency in certain areas. They can be especially beneficial if the job you’re applying for requires specific certifications or qualifications.

Include any relevant certifications on your resume, as this will show potential employers that you have taken the time and effort to become proficient in an area of expertise. This could give you an edge over other applicants who may not possess such credentials.

Certified Sustainability Manager
International Society of Sustainability Profession
May 2017

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Ari Ullrich, this would be Ari-Ullrich-resume.pdf or Ari-Ullrich-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Providing a cover letter alongside your resume is a great way to make yourself stand out from other job applicants. It offers you the opportunity to explain why you’re an ideal candidate for the position, give more details about your experience and demonstrate how passionate you are about the role.

A cover letter should be made up of 2 to 4 paragraphs that focus on key points such as what makes you unique, relevant skills or qualifications and why this particular role interests you. Writing one can take time but it could be worth it in helping secure a job interview.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Kendall,

I am writing to apply for the Sustainability Manager position at XYZ Corporation. With my experience in developing and implementing sustainability initiatives, as well as my background in environmental science, I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team.

At ABC Company, I was responsible for creating and overseeing the implementation of our company-wide sustainability program. This included setting goals for reducing our carbon footprint, increasing energy efficiency, and waste reduction. I also developed employee education and outreach programs to ensure that everyone at the company was aware of our sustainability efforts and how they could help contribute. As a result of these initiatives, we were able to reduce our carbon emissions by 10% within the first year.

I also have experience working with various stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions that meet their needs while also protecting the environment. For example, whenXYZ Corporation was looking for ways to reduce its water usage, I worked with them to develop a rainwater harvesting system that collected rainwater from the roofs of their buildings and stored it in tanks for use in irrigation and other non-potable applications. This not only helped them save water but also saved money on their water bill each month.

My experience has taught me how important it is to be flexible when developing sustainability plans because what works for one company might not work for another. I am confident that I can tailor my approach based on your specific needs and objectives so that together we can make XYZ Corporation a leader in sustainable business practices.

Sincerely,

Ari