What is a Standard Sustainability Team Structure?
Below is how a typical sustainability team structure is set up in medium-to-large companies. The actual design depends on company size, industry and sustainability maturity; but most structures include the following roles, responsibilities and reporting lines:
1. Executive Level
Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) / Sustainability Director
Responsibilities:
Define sustainability vision, strategy and targets aligned with corporate strategy.
Influence C-suite and Board on ESG issues.
Ensure integration of sustainability into operations, supply chain, products and corporate culture.
Represent the company to external stakeholders (investors, regulators, NGOs, customers).
Reporting Line: Usually reports to the CEO, COO or Chief Strategy Officer; sometimes directly to the Board or Executive Committee.
2. Core Sustainability Function (Central Team)
Head of Sustainability / Senior Sustainability Manager
Responsibilities:
Translate CSO’s strategy into programs and measurable goals.
Oversee ESG reporting, disclosures and compliance.
Coordinate cross-departmental sustainability initiatives.
Reporting Line: Reports to CSO or Sustainability Director.
Sustainability/ESG Managers (by focus area)
Typical focus areas include:
Climate & Energy – decarbonisation, renewable energy, science-based targets.
Circular Economy / Waste – waste reduction, recycling, product lifecycle management.
Social Impact & Diversity – workforce DEI, supply chain labour practices, community programs.
Reporting & Compliance – ESG reporting, GRI/ISSB/CSRD disclosures, ratings agency responses.
Sustainable Supply Chain / Procurement – supplier engagement, audits, responsible sourcing.
Innovation / Product Sustainability – eco-design, sustainable R&D.
Responsibilities: Programme management in their domain, data collection, stakeholder engagement, progress tracking.
Reporting Line: Report to Sustainability Director / Senior Manager.
Analysts / Coordinators
Responsibilities: Data gathering, metrics tracking, benchmarking, research, dashboards, supporting reports.
Reporting Line: Report to Sustainability Managers.
3. Embedded / Cross-Functional Roles
Sustainability often relies on “dotted-line” reporting and cross-departmental integration:
Operations / Facilities – energy efficiency, water use, waste.
Finance – ESG-linked financing, climate risk, reporting integration.
HR – diversity, well-being, employee engagement.
Legal & Compliance – regulatory tracking, ESG risks.
Marketing / Communications – sustainability storytelling, green claims review.
Supply Chain / Procurement – supplier standards, audits, sustainable sourcing.
Responsibilities: Execute sustainability initiatives within their business unit, liaise with central sustainability team.
Reporting Line: Report to their functional head, with a dotted line to Sustainability Leadership / Sustainability Managers.
4. Governance & Oversight
Sustainability / ESG Committee (executive-level): Senior leaders from different functions to oversee progress.
Board Sustainability / ESG Committee: Provides ultimate accountability and aligns ESG with fiduciary duty.
5. External Support
· Consultancy/ Third Party Suppliers: to provide niche expertise on complex technical requirements, e.g. EPDs or LCAs.
· ESG Software: Saas reporting to automate reporting and data analysis.
Typical Reporting Structure (simplified):
Board of Directors (ESG Committee)
→ CEO
→ Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO)
→ Sustainability Director / Senior Manager
→ Programme Managers (Climate, Reporting, Supply Chain etc...)
→ Analysts / Coordinators
With dotted-line connections to Operations, Finance, HR, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Legal.