What does Management and Sustainability cover?

It focuses on environmental management, corporate social responsibility, and how firms, governments, and other organisations operate in a resource-limited world, giving you the business and leadership skills to lead sustainability initiatives.

Do I need a business background to study this?

Not necessarily. Management and Sustainability is designed for people from a range of undergraduate backgrounds who want to build management-level sustainability expertise, taught through Waikato Management School .

Is this qualification part of a recognised business school?

Yes. It's taught through Waikato Management School , which holds Triple Crown accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, a distinction held by only around 1% of business schools worldwide.

Can I study this alongside other specialisations?

Yes. The Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Business both let you combine Management and Sustainability with other business specialisations, depending on your career goals.

Sustainability manager career

Q: What degree do I need to become a sustainability manager?

There's no single required undergraduate degree, but a Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Climate Change both build relevant foundational knowledge. A Postgraduate Certificate , Postgraduate Diploma , or Master of Business specialising in Management and Sustainability is Waikato's dedicated pathway into this career, building directly on an existing bachelor's degree.

Kaiwhakahaere toitūtanga

Sustainability managers oversee the sustainability strategy for a company or organisation so that it has sustainable business practices that reduce its environmental impact.

$84,333 – $182,667 per year

Head of sustainability, environmental manager, sustainability director, land and water manager, environmental policy manager, chief officer of environment, social and environmental sustainability manager

Where our data comes from

What would you do as a Sustainability manager?

Sustainability managers

usually work regular business hours
usually work in offices
need to communicate well, work well under pressure and make decisions

Tasks

develop sustainable policies and practices
make sure environmental laws are followed
identify opportunities for environmental projects
check how well sustainability programmes work
run community and engagement activities
train staff on sustainability practices
prepare progress and impact reports
research new technologies for sustainability
oversee sustainability projects
align plans with company sustainability goals

How can you become a Sustainability manager?

You need experience and a qualification to become a sustainability manager.

You need

experience in similar work
a relevant tertiary qualification in environmental studies, sustainable business, social and environmental sustainability or similar area

If you're in school

You need NCEA Level 3 to do the study or training for this job.

Our Bachelor of Business builds your business and management knowledge, while our Bachelor of Climate Change focuses on environmental science and policy. Both give you a strong foundation for this career, and like all our undergraduate degrees, both include work-integrated learning.

If you already have a bachelor's degree, you can specialise in Management and Sustainability through our Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Business.

BBus

Where these qualifications can take you

Sustainability manager roles sit at the intersection of business strategy and environmental responsibility. Rather than a single fixed pathway, Waikato offers a dedicated postgraduate qualification in Management and Sustainability, built specifically for people wanting to lead sustainability initiatives within organisations.

Common areas Waikato graduates in this space work in:

Corporate sustainability and ESG reporting
Environmental management within businesses
Government and non-governmental sustainability roles
Corporate social responsibility
Sustainable resource and operations management

Sustainability manager FAQs

Scholarships

A range of scholarships are available to help with the cost of studying at Waikato. Options are available across a wide range of subjects and study levels, including scholarships for new students, current students and specific areas of study.

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Waikato Management School Accreditations

Waikato Management School holds Triple Crown accreditation, the highest recognition available in business education. We are accredited by AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA. Only around 1% of business schools worldwide have met the rigorous standards of all three bodies.

AACSB accredited

Recognises Waikato Business School’s faculty expertise, research quality, and commitment to high academic standards.

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AMBA accredited

Recognises the quality of Waikato Management School’s MBA and Master’s programmes, including cohort experience, curriculum, and career outcomes.

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EQUIS accredited

Recognises Waikato Management School’s international reach, industry engagement, and commitment to diversity.

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Sustainability manager career