RISK MANAGEMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
How Will Sustainability Help Me in My Risk Management Career?
Individuals working in the field of risk management already consider some aspects of sustainability because environmental factors, such as weather and natural disasters, are important considerations when determining risk. However, enterprise risk management has not typically involved a broader understanding of sustainability-related risks, especially when the established key risk indicators are more focused on internal constraints or legal compliance. Having an extensive knowledge of the sustainability issues and tools relevant to risk management will help you be more effective at assessing, controlling, and monitoring risks in enterprise risk management or real estate. With a set of skills that can use strategic planning and risk management tools to promote resiliency, professionals in risk management can greatly enhance the viability of a successful portfolio.

Sustainability Jobs

Risk Analyst
Enterprise Risk Management is a senior corporate function that offers positions within multiple areas including strategic, management, financial, legal, finance, hazard, and operational risks. Risk analysts may be generalists or focus on a certain area and are typically responsible for data analysis, monitoring trends, understanding and communicating the risks, and advising on strategies to promote resilience. Here is an example of an environmental and social risk analyst with Macquarie. Another example of a sustainability-specific analyst is a climate risk analyst. View this job posting with Morgan Stanley for an example of an early career Climate Risk Associate.

Internal Auditor/Compliance Officer
Internal auditors assess whether a company’s risk management, governance, and control processes are operating effectively. They evaluate how well risks are being managed, how business is running, and if internal processes are working. Compliance officers, likewise, integrate the regulatory requirements into the operations and policies of an organization and assess compliance. Sustainability integrations allow auditors and compliance officers to account for threats to a community’s resilience which will impact the company, and enhance an organization’s ability to not only comply with but gain a competitive edge from the current and forecasted regulatory environment. This example of an early career position with Integrity Global heavily focuses on the international regulations and working with suppliers.

Real Estate Portfolio Manager or Analyst

Mortgage Credit Analyst
Mortgage credit analysts work to evaluate the risk and value of potential real estate investments. They conduct research, perform analyses, and present their findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams. Some companies offer positions that focus on integrating sustainability into the valuations.
Learn More About How to Land and Build a Sustainability Career
If reading about these sustainability career options sparks your interest, check out our resources on how to talk about sustainability with recruiters, as well as career fair tips and sustainability career searches.
