Most marketers care about an organisation's commitment to sustainability 

Today, organisations ought to treat sustainability as a priority, rather than a tick box, and whilst this is increasingly becoming the case across businesses, there is still lots to be done. We all have a part to play in protecting the planet; talented marketers certainly have values, ambitions and skills they can offer to help organisations achieve their pressing sustainability goals.
 

Sustainability proves important to marketing professionals

Research we conducted at Hays in late 2022 found that 81% of marketers believe an organisations commitment to sustainability is crucial when contemplating a new role and prospective employer. In today’s candidate driven market, with widespread skills shortages, organisations must tap into what marketers value in order to attract and retain the top talent.

The research, which forms part of the Hays UK 2023 Salary and Recruiting Trends Guide, received almost 700 responses from marketing professionals and employers, giving an insight into their opinions and experiences. According to the survey, a large majority of marketing professionals are passionate about making the world a better place.

Positively, it was also revealed that more than half (55%) of marketing professionals would consider reskilling into the sustainability sector. There are a range of factors which would motivate professionals to take an active involvement in sustainability.

Close to two-thirds (64%) would be most interested in reducing the environmental impacts of our activities, 59% would be interested in enhancing an organisations’ social impact and value, 55% are drawn to helping organisations respond to the Net Zero agenda and just over half (52%) would be interested in working in Green Industries such as renewables, electric vehicles, green retrofit.

It’s great to see that so many marketers value the importance of an organisation’s commitment to sustainability and that over half are open to reskilling into sustainability. This is likely to be a rewarding and fulfilling career move, with benefits that are far-reaching.
 

Employers willing to upskill for sustainability roles

The survey found that a large majority (81%) of organisations would consider hiring someone without the right skills for a sustainability job, with the intention of upskilling them. This is great news for individuals with transferrable skills from other industries who have the desire to pursue a role with a social and environmental purpose.

There’s currently a huge demand for sustainability professionals and there are ample sustainable marketing career pathways and opportunities for marketers to move into a sustainability communications role. Marketers can utilise their skillsets to enhance sustainable business initiatives and many professionals in the sector currently have the drive and ability to do just that.

Especially amidst the struggle for skills, employers who are open to upskilling professionals, and who clarify and communicate their sustainability strategy effectively, will be more likely to stand out, for all the right reasons, to ambitious and talented marketers today.

If you are looking for your next marketing role, or hiring ambitious marketing talent, contact us today: https://www.hays.co.uk/job/marketing-jobs