Want To Find Work in Sport and Sustainability? Here are Some Expert Tips

When Jeff Bezos wanted an easier way to buy books, he created Amazon. When Steve Jobs wanted an easier way to carry music, he created the iPod. When Hugh Hefner wanted more, well, you get the idea.

Now, Robin Parmelin wants an easier way to find jobs in sport and sustainability, so he has created Play for the Planet.

Many universities today offer sustainability-related degrees and there is a growing demand for sustainability professionals in the job market. As well, many sport organisations are incorporating sustainability initiatives into their activities. So, what’s the problem?

“There are some job opportunities in sport and sustainability, but they are often senior management roles and that’s something I don’t feel ready for yet. I struggled to find work,” says Parmelin, the 23-year old Swiss sports business entrepreneur.

It makes it difficult for new graduates to secure sustainability roles when organisations are recruiting for positions like Director of ESG, Chief Sustainability Officer, or Head of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Finding entry-level positions in the field is not so easy.

When an entrepreneurial spirit runs in your blood, though, it’s tough to ignore an identified need. Having already created a few successful online businesses, and being the son of a well-established organic winemaker, it was only a matter of time before Play for the Planet would start connecting job seekers with employers in the sport and sustainability sphere.

What is Play for the Planet?

Play for the Planet is an online platform that helps job seekers find jobs related to sport and sustainability. Organisations with postings on the platform include Manchester United, FIFA, Wimbledon, and the NFL.

“The initial idea was really just a basic job board that combines sport and sustainability so people like me could find what they were looking for,” explains Parmelin.

The platform has expanded now to include CV help for jobseekers, preferred rates on sport and sustainability education at the Johan Cruyff Institute, and a growing community of like-minded individuals.

A partnership with Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) was also recently announced. SandSI’s network of sport and sustainability professionals as well as its targeted audience will help the Play for the Planet platform reach a wider base of individuals.

The platform currently has nearly 200 jobseekers as well as 95 organisations with 140 job postings on the site since its launch in April 2023.

One of the exciting features of the Play for the Planet platform is its sustainability chatbot, who goes by the name of Benny. Benny is based on the same AI that powers ChatGPT but is programmed to speak as an expert in the field of sport and sustainability. Of course, he has his limitations, but his impressive knowledge of the industry is worth a visit to the site to see for yourself.

Tips for finding a job that combines sport and sustainability

As mentioned earlier, finding a job in sport and sustainability can be difficult. A lot of sport organisations are just getting started on their sustainability journey and they are looking to hire someone to lead that initiative — someone with managerial experience.

For jobseekers having trouble finding a role that combines sport and sustainability, Parmelin has some advice.

“Rather than looking for jobs that have sustainability in the title, look for organisations that have a strong commitment to sustainability,” he says. “Organisations that have sustainability embedded in their activities means that you will have an impact on sustainability no matter what role you are in.”

Having spoken with many organisations, both in the sporting world and in the wider business world, we notice that many companies only have one full-time sustainability employee. That person then organises a committee of employees in various departments to help steer the organisation’s sustainability efforts. Employees on that committee are pulled from their regular roles for a couple of hours per week to contribute to the sustainability team.

Using Parmelin’s advice, individuals interested in working at the fusion of sport and sustainability should look to engage with an organisation’s sustainability committee, regardless of what role they are in, to gain the experience needed to eventually land a position like Chief Sustainability Officer.

Where sport, sustainability, and innovation collide

It’s an exciting time to be involved in the sport and sustainability field. Innovation and technological advancements are leading to big strides in the sector.

Initiatives like Play for the Planet, or the ATP’s Carbon Tracker app, are proof that momentum is growing and more and more sport and sustainability related jobs are going to appear.

If you want to get involved in sport and sustainability and are looking for organisations that are leaders in that field, here are six sport teams that have strong commitments to sustainability, courtesy of the sustainability chatbot, Benny:

·         Seattle Seahawks (NFL)

·         Sacramento Kings (NBA)

·         Colorado Rapids (MLS)

·         Forest Green Rovers (English football)

·         Ajax Amsterdam (Dutch football)

·         Östersunds FK (Swedish football)

Have a great day and happy job hunting!