Environmental manager : Career development

Environmental legislation, cost savings and desire for public environmental credentials are a driving force in the profession. Growth areas include corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental impact assessment (EIA), environmental management and auditing, and waste management. Those aiming for the top of the profession will increasingly need to be able to manage a wider brief, embracing CSR and the implications of environmental management for corporate strategy.

There is no typical career path in environmental management, as each post tends to be unique and progression depends on the employing organisation. In some organisations, there may only be a small number of specialised environmental posts. Larger organisations will offer more opportunities, perhaps with the possibility of taking on a more senior corporate role or a wider role encompassing other activities.

Professional qualifications and continuous training are an integral part of career development, and the diverse nature of the profession offers opportunities to move into different areas of work in order to gain new skills and experience. There are also opportunities to join the growing number of environmental consultancies, become self-employed or move into the education field.