The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Senior Resource Strategist (Internal Promotion)
3-5 years as a Senior StrategistSkills to master
- Leading discrete projects end-to-end, making technical decisions, mentoring junior team members, and building strong internal stakeholder relationships.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully delivered 2-3 complex resource efficiency projects independently.
- Consistently provided high-quality technical guidance to junior colleagues.
- Demonstrated ability to influence project outcomes and challenge assumptions constructively.
- Proactively identified new areas for strategic intervention and proposed solutions.
- 2
Sustainability Consultant (External Hire)
8-12 years in a leading sustainability consulting firmSkills to master
- Client management, developing bespoke sustainability strategies for diverse industries, managing project teams, and translating complex data into actionable insights.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed multiple client engagements simultaneously, delivering high-quality strategic recommendations.
- Developed and presented sustainability strategies to C-suite level clients.
- Proven ability to lead and mentor consulting project teams.
- Deep expertise in several key sustainability domains relevant to our business.
- 3
Environmental or Product Manager (Related Industry)
8-12 years in a manufacturing, operations, or product development role with a strong environmental focusSkills to master
- Operational process optimisation, product lifecycle management, supply chain sustainability, and understanding the practical challenges of implementing environmental initiatives in a business context.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led environmental compliance or efficiency programmes within an operational setting.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate sustainability considerations into product design or manufacturing processes.
- Strong understanding of the business drivers and operational realities of a large organisation.
- Proven track record of driving measurable environmental improvements in a commercial setting.