The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD ) poses new challenges not only for companies, but also for the people in companies who are responsible for implementing the CSRD. With the introduction of the CSRD, companies are obliged to disclose detailed information about their environmental and social impact. This leads to a growing demand for specialized professionals and completely new CSRD jobs. These new roles offer exciting career opportunities. But what skills are actually required?
What are CSRD jobs?
The role of a traditional sustainability manager has often focused on voluntary reporting and internal company initiatives. Sustainability managers focused primarily on implementing environmental and social projects that would increase shareholder value. Typical tasks included developing environmental programs, promoting social responsibility and reporting on progress in these areas – but without legal obligations.
The introduction of CSRD has fundamentally changed this job. While sustainability reports used to be seen as a “nice-to-have”, they are now an integral part of corporate management. Many companies no longer have to report voluntarily on their sustainable practices. They are now legally obliged to provide detailed and transparent information on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.
These changes place new demands on sustainability managers. They must now not only have in-depth knowledge in areas such as carbon footprinting or supply chain management, but also be able to understand and apply complex reporting standards such as the European Sustainability Reporting Standard (ESRS). The role has become more strategic and data-driven. Sustainability managers need to work closely with finance departments and external auditors to ensure that all reports comply with legal requirements.
The most important CSRD job profiles
CSRD jobs include a variety of positions that deal with compliance with and implementation of the sustainability requirements of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Companies need professionals who are not only able to collect and analyze sustainability data, but also to meet legal and regulatory requirements. This includes the following positions:
1. Sustainability Reporting Specialist
This job is a central component of the new CSRD landscape. A Sustainability Reporting Specialist is responsible for collecting and analyzing a company’s sustainability data and preparing it in report form. They work closely with various departments to ensure that all relevant information is included in the reports. The ability to deal with different reporting standards such as the ESRS is crucial. A deep understanding of data analysis and visualization is becoming increasingly important here. In order to meet these new requirements, there are numerous CSRD training and further education opportunities.
2. Sustainability consultant
A (senior) sustainability consultant supports companies in making their business models more sustainable and implementing the CSRD requirements. These experts often provide external CSRD advice and help to develop individual sustainability strategies. Their main task is to identify measures that not only comply with legal requirements but also bring economic benefits for the company. They work closely with management to set long-term environmental, social and governance goals.
3. Data analyst for sustainability data
The amount of data that companies need to collect as part of CSRD is immense. This is why the role of the data analyst for sustainability data is becoming increasingly important. This specialist analyzes large volumes of data in order to gain relevant insights into a company’s sustainability performance. Special analysis tools and ESG software solutions are used to correctly interpret the collected data and create meaningful reports. The ability to understand complex data and prepare it in a way that is understandable for different target groups is essential here.
4. ESG Manager
An ESG manager is responsible for implementing a company’s sustainability strategy in the areas of environmental, social and corporate governance. This role is about aligning the various sustainability goals with the business objectives. The ESG Manager works to develop policies and initiatives that meet the requirements of the CSRD. They also monitor progress and assess how effective the measures are in improving sustainability performance.
5. CSRD Auditor
The CSRD Auditor is a key role in the verification and validation of sustainability reports prepared in accordance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. This professional ensures that the reports comply with legal requirements and verifies the accuracy and completeness of the disclosed sustainability data. A CSRD auditor works closely with internal departments and external auditors to ensure that the data is transparent, reliable and prepared in accordance with international standards such as the ESRS. This job requires both in-depth knowledge of data verification and a strong understanding of ESG criteria and regulatory requirements.
While large companies have entire sustainability teams in place, there are also many companies, especially SMEs, in which several roles and tasks are combined in one person.
What skills do you need for CSRD jobs?
The requirements for specialists in CSRD jobs are high. In addition to specific specialist knowledge, a combination of technical skills and soft skills is also required. The following seven skills are particularly important to be successful in these new roles.
The three most important skills for CSRD jobs
- Knowledge of sustainability reporting: An understanding of various sustainability reporting standards is essential. Specialists must be familiar with the CSRD and ESRS guidelines and ensure that companies implement these in their reports. Knowledge of other (international) frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the German Sustainability Code (DNK) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is helpful.
- Project management skills: Project management plays an important role in CSRD jobs, as the implementation of sustainability strategies and reporting processes often involves large, cross-functional teams. Project managers must be able to meet deadlines, set milestones and manage stakeholders to ensure that everyone involved is working together effectively. Knowledge of project management tools such as Asana, Trello or Microsoft Project is an advantage.
- Expertise in ESG and sustainability strategiesA sound understanding of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria is essential. Professionals need to know how these factors are integrated into corporate strategy and how they contribute to CSRD compliance. This includes the ability to develop sustainability strategies that both increase shareholder value and meet legal requirements.
Four other relevant CSRD skills
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- Data analysis and data management: Data analysis plays a central role in CSRD jobs. Sustainability reports are based on a large number of data points that need to be collected, analyzed and interpreted. Specialists should therefore have experience in using data management tools and analysis software. Knowledge of programs such as Excel, Tableau and special reporting tools is particularly in demand. CSRD experts must also be able to prepare data in an understandable way so that it is comprehensible to all stakeholders.
- Communication and presentation skillsGood communication skills are crucial, as CSRD experts regularly communicate with various departments and external stakeholders. They must present complex sustainability data in an understandable way and present reports in a way that meets the requirements of management, investors and regulators. The ability to communicate clearly and concisely is a core skill in this area.
- Legal and regulatory knowledge: CSRD professionals must be familiar with the relevant laws and regulations related to sustainability reporting. This includes not only the requirements of the CSRD, but also other regulations such as the EU Taxonomy. A deep understanding of these laws is necessary to ensure that a company’s reports comply with legal requirements and that risks are minimized.
- Problem-solving and adaptability: As the requirements for sustainability reports are constantly changing, specialists must be able to react flexibly to new challenges. Problem-solving skills and a high level of adaptability are therefore crucial. CSRD professionals should work proactively and be able to find innovative solutions to complex challenges posed by new regulations.
How companies benefit from CSRD jobs
The introduction of mandatory sustainability reporting not only presents companies with a bureaucratic hurdle, but also offers them numerous advantages. By creating CSRD jobs and hiring qualified professionals, companies can operate more sustainably and increase their competitiveness at the same time. Here are some of the key benefits companies gain by filling CSRD jobs.
- Improved transparency and credibility
- Compliance and risk minimization
- Competitive advantage through sustainability strategy
- Improved efficiency through data management
- Long-term reputation and securing the future
Where can I find CSRD jobs?
The demand for specialists in the field of CSRD jobs is growing rapidly. Companies from various industries are looking for qualified experts who can help them meet the requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. But where can you find such jobs? Here are some of the best places to find CSRD-related job postings.
1. General job portals
2. Specialized job platforms
Portals for “green” jobs are literally springing up – for example GoodJobs, greenjobs, Jobverde, NachhaltigeJobs or Climatebase. These specialized sustainability platforms offer job offers that are specifically aimed at CSRD as well as other jobs at sustainable companies.
3. Networks and specialist groups
Networks play a central role when it comes to accessing CSRD jobs. Platforms such as LinkedIn offer numerous specialist groups and discussion forums where sustainability experts can exchange ideas. You can often find out about jobs here before they are officially advertised. One of these LinkedIn groups is called SustyJobs.
Attending specialist conferences and CSRD webinars can also help you make valuable contacts and find out about current vacancies.
4. Headhunters and consulting firms
Headhunters play an important role in the placement of highly qualified and highly sought-after specialists for CSRD jobs. These recruiters specifically search for experts who meet CSRD requirements and connect companies with suitable candidates. In addition to the well-known headhunting firms such as Michael Page and Hays, there are also recruiters who specialize in sustainability. These include Allen & York and Talents4Good. These companies have a broad network and access to exclusive vacancies that are often not advertised publicly.
The future prospects for CSRD jobs
The importance of sustainability and transparency in corporate reporting means that experts in this field are not only sought after, but also valued. Companies are faced with the challenge of implementing the requirements of CSRD and need qualified specialists to successfully master this change.
1. Increasing demand for sustainability experts
With the introduction of the CSRD and other regulatory requirements, the need for professionals specializing in sustainability reporting and ESG strategies is growing rapidly. Industries such as energy, transportation, agriculture and manufacturing are particularly challenged to adapt their sustainability reports to the new requirements. For companies, this means that they need to invest more in the training and recruitment of sustainability reporting specialists, ESG managers and CSRD auditors.
2. Career development and further training
There are exciting long-term career opportunities for specialists in the field of CSRD. The complexity of sustainability reporting and the growing need for in-depth expertise open up many opportunities for specialization and further training. Professionals who already have experience in corporate social responsibility (CSR) or ESG can advance their career by gaining additional qualifications in CSRD. Certifications and further training in sustainability standards and reporting will become increasingly important.
3. Technological development and automation
Increasing digitalization and the use of new technologies will change the way companies collect and analyse their sustainability data. Professionals in CSRD jobs must therefore not only be familiar with the legal requirements, but also be prepared to deal with new technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. The ability to work with data analysis tools and sustainability software is becoming a key requirement in this area.
4. Global orientation and international career opportunities
As the CSRD is a European directive, companies in the EU in particular are faced with new requirements. However, global companies operating in Europe will also be affected. This creates international career opportunities for professionals specializing in sustainability and ESG reporting. With a deep understanding of the European guidelines, experts can operate worldwide and support companies in implementing their global sustainability strategies.
5. Sustainability as a central factor in corporate management
The future of CSRD jobs is closely linked to corporate governance and strategy. Sustainability is no longer an isolated issue, but an essential pillar of corporate governance. Professionals who are able to integrate sustainable practices into the core business will be increasingly in demand. In the long term, companies that rely on well-trained CSRD experts will not only minimize their compliance risks, but also increase their innovative strength and competitiveness.
In summary, it can be said that CSRD jobs are not only crucial for companies to meet the new requirements. They also offer professionals the opportunity to be part of a global shift towards greater transparency and responsibility. Are you also part of this movement?
