Sustainability Manager Career in South Africa
Explore the official OFO occupation, common tasks, specialisations and approved South African qualification pathways.
Occupation overview
Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates sustainability or environment-related risk assessments, develops methodologies to assess the viability or success of sustainability initiatives and the monitoring and evaluation thereof.
What does a Sustainability Manager do?
A Sustainability Manager leads the planning and coordination of sustainability or environmental risk work within an organisation. The role involves assessing risks, designing ways to judge whether sustainability initiatives are viable and successful, and overseeing monitoring and evaluation so that decision-makers can track progress and improve results.
How to become a Sustainability Manager in South Africa
- Build knowledge of sustainability, environmental risk assessment, organisational planning and monitoring and evaluation.
- Pursue relevant education suited to the sustainability or environment-related area in which you want to work; there is no single universal qualification pathway for this career.
- Develop practical experience in assessing risks, planning initiatives, coordinating activities and evaluating outcomes.
- Take on increasing responsibility for sustainability or environment-related projects in the workplace, since management roles commonly involve progression through workplace responsibility as well as relevant education.
- Confirm current education, provider and career-entry details with relevant accredited providers, employers or official bodies.
Edupstairs Preparation Guidance
Relevant education can support entry into the sustainability field, but management roles commonly also involve workplace progression and responsibility. Focus on understanding how to identify environmental or sustainability risks, assess the viability of initiatives, coordinate people and activities, and use monitoring results to guide improvements.
Useful school subjects
- Geography
- Life Sciences
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Mathematics
- English
Skills that may help
- Sustainability and environmental risk assessment
- Planning and organisation
- Project coordination
- Methodology development
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Leadership and communication