Environmental Manager
Salary
Graduate: £14,000 - £25,000
Employee with 10-15 years in the role: £40,000 - £80,000
Main Employers
- Consultancies
- National, regional and local government agencies or departments
- Higher education institutions
- Manufacturing and processing industries
- Civil engineering and construction
- Public utilities
- Chemical, oil and energy industries
- Waste management
- Food and drink companies
Job Profile
Environmental managers are specialists employed by organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors to co-ordinate the management of their environmental performance. They must be able to identify and resolve environmental problems with a holistic perspective, acknowledging that the political, social, legal and economic aspects of issues are as important as those pertaining to science and technology.
Environmental managers are often expected to act as an agent of change within organisations, ensuring that the entire workforce recognises their contribution to improved environmental performance.
Role and Responsibilities
Jobs will vary according to each employer; however you could expect to be involved in:
- Ensuring corporate sustainable development through new environmental strategies
- Identifying, assessing and reducing an organisation's environmental risks and financial costs through environmental policies and practices
- Ensuring compliance with environmental legislation
- Auditing and reporting on environmental performance
- Developing and implementing environmental management systems
- Co-ordinating public hearings and consultations
- Directing public relations activities, communications and education plans
- Training staff at all levels in environmental issues and responsibilities
Qualifications
Relevant further education subjects include: Biosciences; Engineering; Environmental Sciences; Physical and Applied Science
Most applicants have an MSc, although there are opportunities for people with lower level qualifications to enter in roles such as technicians and progress through study. Relevant work experience is advantageous and voluntary work can also be very helpful.
In addition to academic qualifications, membership of a professional body such as the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) is useful. CIWEM provides training, debating, networking and socialising opportunities, and offers a student membership scheme which can provide useful contacts for the future.
Career Development
There is no standard career route. Many early environmental managers were appointed from existing company staff. More recently, environmental managers have been recruited on the basis of their training and professional development.
The role of an environmental manager is continuing to increase in importance as companies are becoming aware of their environmental responsibilities. Environmental legislation, cost savings and desire for public environmental credentials are a driving force behind many jobs. The most striking trend in the profession has been the rapid growth of corporate social responsibility, particularly in large organisations. It is clear that those aiming for the top of the profession will increasingly need to be able to manage a wider brief, embracing corporate social responsibility and the implications of environmental management for corporate strategy.
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