Energy and sustainability manager
Be a green champion in your workplace. Look for ways to use energy less and in more sustainable ways.
Also known as: energy manager
About the job
Career insights – Energy and sustainability manager
What it's like
Businesses and organisations need people who can help them adapt to climate change. They may have goals to reduce their carbon footprint or even become 'net zero'. You'll help them achieve these ambitions by looking at how they use energy.
You'll find ways to reduce energy use or change to renewables. Carrying out audits of workplaces will help you spot where issues exist. This means looking at the energy data or observing behaviours. Once you know how people are using energy, you can look for opportunities for change.
For example, you could bring in new policies around heating or computer use. You might install solar panels, heat pumps or LED lighting.
You'll also need to be able to make the case for change to colleagues. That could be convincing people about the benefits of new energy use policies. It might also mean arguing for more investment in sustainability.
Your tasks might include:
observing and analysing energy data and behaviours to spot trends and opportunities for savings
developing sustainability strategies across sites or departments
managing projects to install renewable energy systems, like solar panels or heat pumps
advising colleagues on ways to reduce energy use
leading a team to deliver against energy and sustainability goals
building and managing relationships with consultants and contractors
Green job
In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
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Energy
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- written communication
- verbal communication
- researching
- problem solving
- motivating others
- making decisions
- innovative
- developing a plan
- building relationships
- analysing
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Business Management
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Chemistry
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Economics
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Engineering Science
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Environmental Science
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Geography
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Maths (Mathematics)
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Physics
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Statistics
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Skills for Work: Energy
University
You’ll need a degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject, such as:
Building Services Engineering
Business and Sustainability
Energy Engineering
Environmental Management
Environmental Science
Environmental Sustainability
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you get a job or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Building Services Engineering
Business with Sustainability Management
Energy and Environmental Engineering
Apprenticeship
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Discover Modern Apprenticeships on Apprenticeships.scot.
Getting work experience in a relevant role can help you break into the environmental sector. Search for opportunities on Volunteer.scot.
Find more volunteering through:
You can join the Society for the Environment or another environmental membership body. This can help develop professional contacts and find training opportunities.
You'll need significant experience as this isn't a role you can move into with just formal education. Consider jobs in energy, sustainability, the environment and building services. They'll help you gain the skills and knowledge for this career.
You'll also need experience of managing people and projects.
You may also need certificates or industry training in areas such as:
sustainability
environmental management
health and saftey
project management
management
Some employers will look for you to have membership of an industry body, or be working towards this. Some examples include:
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