Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a business process by which companies make a concerted effort to operate in ways that enhance rather than degrade society and the environment.

It’s about an organisation’s commitment to behave ethically while contributing to the quality of life of employees, the local community and society at large, which has never been more important or under so much scrutiny. A CSR Manager has a vital role at the heart of driving this forward by leading an organisation’s commitment to having a positive social and environmental impact.

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£26.5k – £42.5k

Entry-level salary range

£36.5k – £54k

Early-career salary range

£46.5k – £82.5k

Experienced salary range

£71k – £160k

Senior leadership salary range

There is an ever-increasing awareness of the importance of the social element in sustainability and the green agenda more widely.

Please note: the information in our job profiles aims to give a general overview of the role and a guideline to what it involves. The content is not intended to be exhaustive and roles will vary depending on the organisation and sector. The salary ranges are a guide only, as these are dependent on the size and location of the organisation.

How does this role align to the green agenda?

The fundamental objective of a CSR Manager is to ensure their organisation’s processes and practices are ethical both socially and environmentally. They will ensure that the company reduces and avoids damaging effects on the environment from business behaviours , always promoting a sustainable approach. They prioritise people and planet wellness, social accountability and planet friendly activities.

By ensuring that societal issues are fully integrated into an organisation’s strategy, the CSR Manager plays a vital role in ensuring the organisation is enhancing and promoting its impact on society at large.

CSR manager working with staff in front of a laptop

Skills and capabilities

A mix of technical, interpersonal and analytical skills are required in the role of Corporate Social Responsibility Manager.

Technical knowledge

Broader business management skills such as project management, business case preparation etc. are often an advantage to ensure alignment with the rest of the organisation
Requires a broad understanding of social issues relevant to the organisation and the wider sustainability agenda
Sector experience relevant to the organisation is often advantageous
The sector is constantly evolving so a willingness to keep knowledge up to date is also important.

Learn more about upskilling

Transferable skills

Relationship development:

previous knowledge and experience of relationship development and building partnerships with third parties such as NGOs (non-governmental organisations), charities, not-for-profits and community groups is usually required

Effective communication:

these skills are considered vital in a role that often has decision-making influence and leads on stakeholder engagement projects

Strategic thinking:

the ability to balance commercial considerations with the organisation’s CSR commitments and objectives is crucial

Innovating:

an innovative outlook and an open-minded approach to new ways of getting things done

Collaboration:

a collaborative attitude, with the ability to work with a diverse set of people with different professional backgrounds

Leadership:

qualities that inspire confidence and help individuals bring their full potential to every task

Prioritising:

the ability to prioritise conflicting demands, delegate where necessary and work methodically.

CSR manager giving presentation to employees

A day in the life of a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

The CSR Manager is in a pivotal role to harness an organisation’s resources, skills and capabilities to create positive outcomes for employees, the local community and society at large. 

Typical duties and responsibilities:

Liaising closely with all parts of an organisation

to coordinate relevant activity, and share information on trends, initiatives and best practice, in particular with the management team, environment and sustainability function, HR, and marketing/communications
Engaging with external bodies and partners

such as charities, NGOs and community groups, which could include initiating and managing partnerships and collaborations, e.g., employee volunteer opportunities and charitable activities
Leading communication of the organisation’s CSR strategy

to customers, suppliers and other interested parties, which might include presentations and attending events
Identifying, measuring and monitoring

the social value / social impact of the organisation’s activities
Influencing the organisation’s culture

by identifying and championing best practice CSR initiatives, driving innovation and encouraging continuous improvement
Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulations,

contributing to the organisation’s ESG/sustainability strategy and raising employees’ awareness of sustainability and social responsibility issues.
Liaising with other departments

to ensure environmental issues are given due prominence in all aspects of the organisation’s operations.

Potential career progression

A CSR Manager can take their career in several directions, for example:

Pursuing more senior CSR roles or with a change in size, sector or type of organisation (e.g., not-for-profit, corporate, public sector).

This is particularly the case as the importance and value of CSR continues to grow

Opportunities in wider sustainability roles can often shape interesting career paths with more involvement in issues

such as net zero, the circular economy and environmental impact.

Close links with corporate communications / public relations or HR

can also lead to opportunities in these areas of the organisation.

Entry routes

There are a broad range of pathways into CSR roles and individuals with experience in a related area (such as marketing, public relations, human resources, sustainability and environmental management) are commonly found in these roles.  At the initial stages of a career, working or volunteering in a not-for-profit organisation can provide valuable experience and relevant skills.

Qualifications

Professional membership

Relevant sectors

CSR Managers are needed in businesses across all sectors and organisations, within both the public and the private sector.

Learn about the green agenda across different sectors

View sector pages

Information kindly supplied by:

Hays

As the world’s largest specialist recruiter, Hays is in a unique position to enable real environmental change; on both a local and national scale.

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Success stories

Aydn Loffman went from waste administration to environmental agenda champion

Maddy Diment grew up on England’s south coast, which inspired her to work in sustainability from a young age

Fiona Quinlan-Wells: a decade of change

Richard Naylor’s career in furniture has taken him from sales to sustainability

Cathie Mackay on greening traditional jobs and the huge responsibility of speaking up on our planet’s behalf

Oluwaseun outdoors, dressed in bee-keeping suit

Oluwaseun Johnson on the tangible, real-world rewards of sustainability volunteering 

Photo of Carmel in her workplace, with clothes

Carmel McQuaid on championing sustainability for one of Britain’s most beloved retail brands

A squiggly career led to a new perspective for Daniel Anderson

Mat Owen’s career change has taken him in a new sustainability direction

Photo of Emma Pye at a desk in front of her laptop

Founding a sustainable business: Emma Pye’s journey to independence

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