Accelerating the transition to a more sustainable economy is a major challenge for the luxury industry as a whole. In order to successfully navigate this transformation, luxury brands need individuals who are both dedicated and trained in sustainable practices. Whether they are newcomers or seasoned professionals, what are the key factors for success when pursuing a career in this field?
Across the luxury sector, companies are undergoing a paradigm shift. Beyond the traditional finance and reporting functions, a deep understanding and implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is now essential across sourcing, product marketing, production, logistics, and other departments. These departments must not only justify their energy expenses but also propose concrete solutions that transform the value chain and improve the company’s Environmental Profit and Loss (E-P&L). To achieve these goals, luxury brands must integrate talented professionals who are well-versed in regulations, CSR concepts, and possess the ability to offer transformative ideas and lead teams in new directions.
While self-learning is valuable, a structured educational framework is necessary for success in this field. One recommended option is a one-year master’s program or a short-term course. Caroline Renoux, the CEO of Birdeo, a specialized CSR recruitment firm, emphasizes the importance of structured education in building expertise for sustainability roles. Renoux has been recruiting senior CSR professionals since 2010 and firmly believes that it is impossible to be an expert in every aspect of sustainability. For example, when searching for a climate specialist, she looks for candidates with an engineering background, while for ethical subjects, she prefers candidates with legal or regulatory training. Renoux is passionate about promoting ecological transformation and actively works to professionalize sustainability careers.
Recruitment firms are actively searching for CSR experts, although companies are now seeking candidates with dual expertise, such as marketing-RSE or procurement-RSE, rather than exclusively focusing on CSR. It is essential for professionals in this field to have a strong grasp of regulations and concepts such as “AGEC,” “governance,” “taxonomy,” or “B Corp certification.” In France alone, there are over 500 active training programs that range in terms of professionalization, duration, and cost. These programs provide candidates with legitimacy, deep understanding of the issues at hand, and most importantly, inspire them to take action.
Both junior and senior professionals can find opportunities in the sustainable luxury industry. Juniors can leverage their early career experiences, even if they were not initially focused on sustainability, and supplement their existing knowledge with CSR training. They can get involved in initiatives such as joining commissions that work on sustainability topics, attending conferences, or following leaders in the field on social media.
For senior professionals, changing both companies and careers simultaneously can be challenging. Therefore, prioritizing internal mobility and transitioning from a specialized role to a sustainability transformation mission is a wise approach. Seeking certifications or pursuing an Executive MBA can also enhance qualifications in this field.
Leading luxury brand LVMH is pioneering internal mobility with its DARE (Disrupt Act Risk to be an Entrepreneur) program. This program serves as an incubator for new projects led by LVMH employees, aiming to transform ideas into concrete solutions for the group’s luxury houses. For example, the Nona source platform, which allows reselling of fabrics and leathers from LVMH luxury houses, was born through this program in 2021. This innovative circularity project is led by three employees from different luxury houses, all driven by the necessity of sustainable business transformation.
“Elevating the overall level of knowledge in our houses on these key subjects is essential,” said Bénédicte Epinay, Deputy Director of the Comité Colbert, during a recent HR & Talent webinar organized by ULTIMZ Journal.
The importance of sustainability awareness is recognized at all levels of a company, and every employee will eventually have a CSR dimension in their role. L’Oréal Paris is actively training all of its teams in sustainability, led by Elodie Bernadi, CSR Director of L’Oréal France.
Ownership and participation in sustainability initiatives are growing in importance in the luxury sector. Initiatives like La Fresque du Climat have gained traction, alongside other programs that foster a CSR culture, such as Circul’R, La Fresque de la Publicité, and La Fresque de la Diversité. These initiatives provide training and raise awareness among employees at all levels of the organization.
Promoting collaborative work across departments is vital. Building effective CSR teams requires a shift in the traditional mindset of luxury brands. The ideal team composition consists of a mix of profiles, with experienced professionals driving change and juniors providing specialized environmental expertise. CSR serves as a catalyst for collaboration, creating connections within the company and enabling different departments to co-create a better future.
Useful links:
1. LVMH Official Website
2. L’Oréal Paris Official Website
