corporate social responsibility consultant

Hire a corporate social responsibility consultant to help achieve your sustainability goals

Everything you need to know about a corporate social responsibility consultant - What they do and where to hire them

Hire now

What do they do?

A corporate social responsibility (CSR) consultant is a professional who helps companies create and implement social responsibility initiatives. They work with businesses to develop strategies that align with ethical, environmental, and social values, while also helping them meet regulatory requirements and contribute positively to society and the environment. The consultant may advise on sustainability practices, community engagement, philanthropic efforts, and other CSR-related activities.

Example Projects

  1. ESG Strategy Development
    A Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Consultant maps out an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy that aligns with a company's core business objectives. This may include reviewing current practices, identifying gaps, and creating robust policies to address key sustainability issues. The project enhances the company’s reputation, reduces the risk of regulatory penalties, and ensures access to ESG-focused investors.
  2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction
    The CSR consultant develops an emissions reduction roadmap tailored to the organisation's operations. This aligns with global efforts to reach net-zero emissions and reduces exposure to carbon pricing, helping the business mitigate operational risks.
  3. Supply Chain Sustainability
    The consultant develops sustainable procurement policies and audits supply chain practices to ensure alignment with global sustainability standards. This drives value by enhancing operational efficiency, mitigating risks, and protecting against supply chain disruptions.
  4. CSR Reporting & Disclosure
    This project involves creating a comprehensive CSR reporting system based on leading standards like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). The project addresses the challenge of transparent disclosure of ESG performance to stakeholders.

Who Do They Work With?

CSR consultants often collaborate with top executives to ensure CSR strategies align with overall business objectives. They also work with department heads in finance, operations, and procurement to integrate sustainability strategies across different functions. Interaction with legal teams is essential to ensure compliance with evolving sustainability regulations. Additionally, CSR consultants collaborate with marketing and communication teams for external reporting and stakeholder engagement.

Who Should Hire One?

Companies across various sectors—especially those with complex operations or supply chains—should consider hiring a CSR consultant. This includes industries such as manufacturing, energy, logistics, FMCG, construction, and information technology. Medium and large enterprises stand to benefit the most due to their significant environmental and social footprint, as well as their potential to leverage positive CSR practices for brand enhancement, risk reduction, and improved market access.

ROI and Strategic Benefits

  1. Cost Savings
    Implementing sustainability practices often leads to decreased operational costs, such as reduced energy usage, water conservation, and waste reduction.
  2. Regulatory Compliance
    CSR consultants ensure compliance with sustainability legislation, mitigating the risk of financial penalties through their extensive knowledge of regulations.
  3. Enhanced Brand Reputation
    Proactively managing CSR increases trust among customers, investors, and the public, potentially enhancing market share and access to capital.
  4. Talent Attraction and Retention
    A strong CSR strategy boosts employee morale and helps attract top talent, particularly those who prefer working with socially responsible companies.
  5. Long-term Sustainability
    By embedding ESG principles into business strategies, companies can ensure their long-term viability in a market increasingly driven by sustainability factors.

Example Job Description (for you to Copy and Paste)

Summary

The CSR Consultant will play a crucial role in guiding our organization's efforts toward sustainable business practices and social responsibility. This role will involve developing, implementing, and advising on strategies that align with global sustainability standards, enhancing our corporate image and contributing to our motto of "business for a better world."

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement robust CSR strategies that reflect our organization's goals.
  • Identify key CSR focus areas and effectively communicate them to stakeholders.
  • Evaluate the success of CSR initiatives, creating reports that detail their impacts and outcomes.
  • Manage projects that implement sustainable practices, reducing our environmental footprint.
  • Consult and liaise with different departments to promote CSR throughout the organization.
  • Stay updated on global sustainability regulations, ensuring that business practices align with them.

Qualifications and Skills

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Business, or a related field.
  • Certifications in corporate social responsibility or sustainability are preferred.

Skills:

  • Strong communication skills.
  • Proficiency in data analysis.
  • Demonstrable project management skills.
  • A clear understanding of global sustainability regulations and standards.
  • Excellent stakeholder engagement.
  • Understanding of sustainable business practices.

Experience Requirements

  • Minimum of 5 years in a CSR role, preferably in a consulting capacity.
  • Experience in designing and implementing CSR strategies.
  • Proven track record of successfully managing sustainability projects.
  • Experience working in a cross-functional team, ideally within the [specific industry] sector.

Company Overview and Culture

[Insert your details]

Application Process

[Insert your details]

Here’s what our customers say

Hear how our vetted sustainability consultants have driven meaningful change for our clients

Good communication, flexible schedule and delivered exactly what was agreed and on time. Would work with her again!

Alexander Pfeiffer
CEO
at
Terralytiq

Tom helped us with calculating our carbon footprint outputs from 2019 to 2023. He managed everything end to end with minimal client direction. It was seamless and effortless. He's an excellent professional.

Bolu
COO
at
Miai

The support's been great from when we first started speaking, you wrote the brief for me and did all the sourcing. So that was fantastic. Communication has been great. The level of engagement has been brilliant.

Nick Anderdon
CFO
at
Freddies Flowers

‍Working with Leafr has been a pleasure from the beginning. Leafr has a wide network of talented individuals, and they have been able to seamlessly connect us with strong candidates for our various projects.

Lara
Partner
at
Xynteo

Leafr's marketplace boasts an extensive network of highly talented individuals. They have effortlessly connected us with great candidates. Leafr has become our go-to for skilled sustainability professionals.

Brenan Hodkinson
CRO
at
Apiday

Whenever you hire consultants you worry whether they'll be as motivated or skilled as your team. Every Leafr consultant has been so impressive. We spoke to several sustainability agencies and this has been far better value.

Guadalupe Oliver
CEO
at
Candoe

Our expert immediately became a seamless addition to our team. Her work showed a mastery of ESG and a strong understanding of the financial sector. We'd love the opportunity to work with her again.

Jess Katz
Director
at
TRIPTIK

Our consultants have delivered for the best across industries

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Tech
Zopeful
Tech
Sylvera
Tech
UNDO
Tech
Urban Leaf
Tech
Treeni Inc
Tech
Ping Identity
Tech
Single.Earth
Tech
Plan A
Tech
Odyssey Energy Solutions
Tech
Neo.Tax
Tech
Mindstone
Tech
Google
Tech
Dimagi
Tech
Code.org
Tech
CalRecycle
Tech
Atlassian
Tech
AWS
Tech
Amazon
Tech
Apple
Government & Public Sector
NHS Scotland
Government & Public Sector
HMRC
Sport
Augusta National Golf Club
Government & Public Sector
Department for Education
Government & Public Sector
Leicestershier County Council
Government & Public Sector
Ministry of Justice
Government & Public Sector
Defra
Non Profit
B Corp UK
Non Profit
British Council
Non Profit
B Lab UK-verify
Non Profit
1% for the Planet
Non Profit
Sustainable Ocean Alliance
Non Profit
WWF
Non Profit
Rippleworks
Non Profit
Forest Stewardship Council
Non Profit
Laidlaw Foundation
Non Profit
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Media
DODS
Non Profit
Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF)
Media
Springer Nature
Media
ITV
Media
Independent
Media
The Atlantic
Media
Universal
Media
Comcast
Media
Financial Times
Media
Channel 4
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Pfizer
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
General Electric
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Bayer
Food and Beverage
GateGroup
Food and Beverage
PepsiCo
Food and Beverage
McDonald's
Food and Beverage
FeverTree
Food and Beverage
Gousto
Food and Beverage
Mindful Chef
Food and Beverage
American Seafoods
Food and Beverage
Beyond
Food and Beverage
Impossible
Food and Beverage
Minus: A Compound Foods Company
Fashion and Retail
Aday
Fashion and Retail
FarFetch
Fashion and Retail
Wowcher
Fashion and Retail
Lulu Lemon
Fashion and Retail
Patagonia
Fashion and Retail
Finisterre
Fashion and Retail
Monica Vinader
Fashion and Retail
Everpress
Energy & Utilities
Octopus Energy
Energy & Utilities
Octopus
Energy & Utilities
Odyssey Energy Solutions
Energy & Utilities
National Grid
Energy & Utilities
OVO
Consulting & Professional Services
ERM
Energy & Utilities
EDF
Education
LSE
Consumer Goods
WestWing
FMCG
Unilever
Consumer Goods
IKEA
FMCG
Lush
Consumer Goods
Procter & Gamble
Consumer Goods
Ocean Bottle
Consumer Goods
Sissy Boy Jeans
Consumer Goods
Rituals
Consumer Goods
Pottery For The Planet
Consumer Goods
Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics North America
Consulting & Professional Services
Alter Domus
FMCG
Campbell Soup Company
Consulting & Professional Services
Spencer Ogden
Consulting & Professional Services
Newton Europe
Consulting & Professional Services
Deloitte
Consulting & Professional Services
PwC
Non Profit
UNDP
Consulting & Professional Services
Techstars
Consulting & Professional Services
Systemiq
Construction & Real Estate
Caddick Group
Consulting & Professional Services
AccountAbility
Consulting & Professional Services
FTI Consulting
Construction & Real Estate
McLaren Construction
Construction & Real Estate
Homes for Students
Consulting & Professional Services
Accenture
No items found.

Not sure where to start? Book a free call with a consultant

Book a free call with one of our consultants. They will help you understand your current position, build out an initial strategy and prioritise the most impactful projects to work on.

Book a Free Consultation

Issac

An impact-driven sustainability expert driving strategic climate action and ESG performance with an MSc in Sustainability from SOAS

Check Cirlce

Verified Expert

Delivered for:

Book a Free Consultation

Hugo

Ex-Strategy consultant now enabling businesses to flourish sustainably through adopting circular economy practices

Check Cirlce

Verified Expert

Delivered for:

Book a Free Consultation

Francesca

Driving sustainability transformation through strategic insights, carbon management, and responsible supply chains

Check Cirlce

Verified Expert

Delivered for:

Book a Free Consultation