How to succeed as a sustainability manager

Did you know that Ancient Egyptians already had sustainability managers before the concept of living within our finite resources became popularised in the 1970s?

It was in 1987 that the World Commission on Environment and Development published the “Our Common Future” report with the term “sustainable development.” 

The same year, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

As a sustainability manager with over seven years of experience, My Tra Vu is now well aware of the concept’s history and functions today. 

She has worked on several projects for companies in different sectors of Vietnam and spoken at numerous domestic and international forums on sustainability and green growth, such as the Global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and CSR Summit and other scientific seminars hosted by government ministries and international organisations.

It’s been a journey that’s earned Vu her current role as sustainability manager at Home Credit, a leading global digital finance company in the country.

But before all of this, Vu was an International Business Management student at the University of Staffordshire who knew little about what being a sustainable manager is all about.

“I pursued a degree in international business management because I believe that it would give me a general view of different functions in a business,” Vu shares.

“But over time, when thinking about what I should focus on in my career, I found myself interested in community work and doing something to contribute to society. So, I decided to pursue a Master’s in Media and Communications at City, University of London (CUL).”

A media master’s degree is — at least, at first glance — hardly the most relevant degree for a sustainability manager.

However, the syllabus at CUL was geared towards communication for social development, her first-ever introduction to what a career in what the UN describes as “the defining issue of our time” entails.

We caught up with Vu to trace her journey from business student to successful sustainability manager — and everything else she learned along the way.

Vu believes a sustainability manager is the jack of all trades in an organisation, from understanding sustainable development and the organisation’s goals to knowing how to work with different departments and having good communication skills. Source: My Tra Vu

What is a Sustainability Manager?

Being a sustainability manager is often misunderstood. Many think it’s just about advocating sustainable development or implementing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives. But honestly, it’s so much more than that.

In my role, I need to understand business strategies inside and out while monitoring how various departments operate across the organisation. It’s like being an internal consultant—helping the company incorporate sustainability into its daily operations and big-picture decisions.

What’s more, I need to stay current with local and global sustainability and ESG standards. This knowledge helps me spot opportunities to make the organisation more sustainable and boost overall performance.

Collaboration is also a big part of the job. Take HR, for example. They’re focused on critical issues like diversity, inclusion, and closing the gender pay gap. I work with them, offering ideas and strategies to strengthen their efforts and make a more significant impact.

Being a sustainability manager means juggling many responsibilities and ensuring that sustainability isn’t just an add-on but a natural part of everything we do.

What are the importance of sustainability managers for organisations?

These days, sustainability is often treated as a buzzword, mainly due to its “trending” status. It’s a hot topic in the global market, and everyone seems to be talking about it — yet few truly understand what it means.

Many confuse sustainability with personal social responsibility (PSR) activities. You know, things like recycling, cleaning up communities, gardening, reusing stuff, or saving energy. And while those are great habits, they’re just a piece of the puzzle.

In organisations, sustainability goes far beyond PSR.

It involves taking deliberate, meaningful steps to fight climate change and reduce environmental harm. At its core, it is built on four key pillars: economic, governance, environmental, and social.

Let’s break it down.

Economic performance is the starting point. For an organisation to thrive, it must have excellent business strategies that drive profitability. Without substantial financial health, the other pillars don’t stand a chance.

Next is governance. An organisation needs effective processes, a sound operational structure, and smooth coordination across all functions. When governance is strong, the organisation operates more efficiently and effectively.

Then comes the environmental side. Climate change isn’t some far-off concept anymore — we’re living its daily impacts. Organisations need to consider how their actions affect the planet and find ways to grow while keeping their ecological footprint in check.

Finally, the social pillar. This pillar goes beyond engaging with communities or satisfying customers. It’s also about treating employees fairly, fostering inclusivity, and creating a supportive workplace culture.

When an organisation addresses all four areas, it takes a holistic approach to sustainability. Achieving balance in these pillars is the first step towards building a sustainable business.

Sustainability, at its core, isn’t about single-handedly changing the world. It starts with simple, meaningful actions within an organisation.

It’s about caring for stakeholders, respecting the environment, and pursuing profit in ways that are responsible and considerate of the broader impact.

Vu participated as a speaker on sustainability and green growth at the Global CRS & ESG Summit and Awards. Source: My Tra Vu

What do you think it takes to become a Sustainability Manager?

Being open to gaining knowledge is crucial. As a sustainability manager, I must understand the business inside out — how all departments work together — and then apply my expertise to support them effectively.

But it doesn’t stop there. I must also keep up with best practices, industry trends, and the latest sustainability standards.

Countries today enforce various regulations and increasingly stringent sustainability laws that organisations must adhere to, making it essential to remain informed and adaptable.

It’s not just about knowledge, though. Soft skills are just as crucial for this role.

Take analytical thinking, for example. It’s one of the most crucial skills I use daily. I need to process the information I gather, think critically, and analyse it to identify which standards or regulations are most relevant to the business.

Every industry and organisation is different, and strong analytical skills allow me to tailor sustainability strategies to fit specific needs.

Then there’s communication. Let’s face it: A lot of people still misunderstand sustainability. Many think it’s just corporate social responsibility (CSR) or charity work rather than something integral to the business.

This is where effective communication comes in. I need to clearly explain sustainability efforts to my colleagues, helping them understand how they can contribute to driving the organisation’s sustainable goals.

At the same time, I must communicate transparently with external stakeholders, ensuring that the organisation avoids greenwashing and instead provides an honest representation of its sustainability performance.

Leadership is another critical skill. Collaborating with multiple departments can sometimes be chaotic, and people may feel unsure about their responsibilities.

Good leadership helps me bring everyone together. It’s about assigning tasks, guiding teams, and leading discussions to ensure everyone’s on the same page and working toward the same sustainability objectives.

Vu has served as a judge on ISB Debate 2024, organised by the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City’s ISB academic team. Source: My Tra Vu

How did your UK degree and experience influence your career as a Sustainability Manager?

Studying abroad gave me an excellent foundation for becoming a sustainability manager.

We live in a globalised world, and the opportunity to experience different perspectives and working styles while studying abroad broadened my knowledge and deepened my understanding of other cultures.

When I returned to Vietnam and started working in companies with many foreign employees, my time abroad helped me connect more easily with my international colleagues. 

It gave me the confidence to embrace diverse perspectives and collaborate effectively in a multicultural environment.

Learning English while studying abroad was equally valuable. It strengthened my language skills, making starting conversations and working seamlessly with colleagues from different countries easier.

Sustainability is still a relatively niche field with few experts.

My experiences abroad have equipped me with a unique perspective, enabling me to return to Vietnam and contribute to my country’s development in a way that aligns with my passion and professional goals.

Vu’s first study abroad experience was during her A Level years. She later decided to pursue her undergraduate and master’s degrees in the UK. Source: My Tra Vu

Do you have any advice for Vietnamese high schoolers looking to study abroad?

Vietnamese students need to think wisely about their objectives or goals when studying abroad. 

Many people look at international students and think, “Wow, they have a really easy and glamorous life.” But in reality, it’s the opposite.

Living abroad means you’re away from your family and a familiar environment and must become independent. Having the ability to control yourself ensures you achieve your goals while abroad.

That’s not all; thinking about the country of destination is essential. That means that you choose the country based on your career or subject you’re studying and not because you simply want to live in the country.

Each country has advantages and disadvantages regarding the subjects you want to study, even the university.