With clear evidence that CSR drives business value, leading companies are moving beyond ad-hoc charitable projects to fully integrate CSR into their corporate DNA.
Salaries for CSR-related positions in Saudi Arabia and the UAE rose by 8% between 2023 and 2024.
The rise of CSR as a strategic function has created a booming demand for professionals skilled in sustainability and social impact. A decades-long global expansion of CSR has, in effect, spawned a sizeable industry of its own—one that offers varied and fulfilling career opportunities. For Saudi Arabia, nurturing local CSR talent is critical to sustaining the momentum of corporate responsibility and embedding it within organizations. This section outlines typical CSR roles and career paths, the skills needed to excel in this field, real examples of Saudi professionals in CSR, and the education and training avenues available for those aspiring to join their ranks.
Roles and progression in CSR
Global and Saudi Arabia CSR Education and Training Programs
CSR careers span multiple levels, often mirroring the hierarchy of other business functions. At the entry level, common job titles internationally include CSR coordinator, sustainability analyst, or CSR specialist—roles focused on supporting projects, collecting data, and executing programs. In Saudi Arabia, a new graduate might start as a CSR officer or junior sustainability specialist, often in a company’s CSR department or sustainability team. As professionals gain experience, they move into mid-level positions such as CSR manager, sustainability manager, or community relations manager, where they might oversee specific programs or a team and coordinate cross-functional initiatives.
Career pathways in CSR
According to regional recruitment data, salaries for CSR roles in Saudi Arabia and the UAE rose by about 8% between 2023 and 2024, reflecting the rising value of sustainability leadership in business strategy.
In the Kingdom, titles like CSR manager or sustainability manager are now seen in many large firms, indicating a dedicated person responsible for driving the agenda internally. At the senior management tier, roles typically include CSR director or head of sustainability, involving strategy formulation, stakeholder engagement at higher levels, and supervision of the full portfolio of CSR activities. Finally, at the executive (C-suite) level, many global companies appoint a CSO or vice president of sustainability/CSR.
This trend is emerging in Saudi Arabia as well, especially in organizations that have made sustainability a core pillar—we are beginning to see executive titles like CSO or VP of sustainability in leading enterprises in the Kingdom. The presence of a CSO signals that the company treats sustainability as a top strategic priority. Overall, a professional can now realistically aspire to a full career in CSR, from an entry-level coordinator to potentially becoming a CSO guiding company-wide strategy. This is a remarkable change from a decade or two ago when CSR roles were relatively rare and often not on the leadership track.
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Skills and competencies
CSR roles are inherently cross-disciplinary, requiring a blend of soft and hard skills. Based on interviews conducted with CSR professionals across leading Saudi companies, several key competencies have emerged as vital for success in the field.
One major area is community engagement and stakeholder management. CSR professionals must effectively engage with a wide range of stakeholders—from community members and nonprofit partners to government entities and internal teams. This requires strong communication skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to build trust and maintain collaborative relationships.
Impact measurement and reporting is widely recognized as an essential skillset. CSR initiatives need to be monitored, evaluated, and communicated credibly to both internal leadership and external stakeholders. Professionals in this space must be proficient in data analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and clear reporting. These capabilities are increasingly linked to strategic decision-making and organizational performance, particularly as companies face growing demands for transparency and disclosure.
Strategic integration and business acumen are also critical, especially as CSR evolves from a support function into a strategic lever for growth and risk mitigation. CSR professionals must be able to align their programs with core business objectives, articulate value creation, and translate social or environmental outcomes into tangible business benefits—such as cost savings, regulatory compliance, or market differentiation.
Creative problem-solving is often required, particularly when designing scalable programs that create shared value. Whether through social enterprises, community investments, or eco-efficient practices, CSR teams are expected to find innovative ways to deliver business and societal impact simultaneously.
Finally, passion and advocacy are intangible but fundamental qualities. CSR professionals often serve as internal champions, driving awareness, challenging outdated thinking, and guiding change across the organization. As Dr. Basmah Al Zamil, a leading board member and CSR advocate, puts it: “CSR is ultimately about giving back. When you genuinely believe in it, you naturally embody and represent our corporate values—that’s what truly sets our people apart.”
Ultimately, the most effective CSR professionals tend to be T-shaped individuals—those with broad skills across communication, analysis, and strategy, and deep expertise in areas such as sustainability reporting, social development, or environmental management depending on their company’s focus.
CSR experience itself today offers a broad career spectrum as well, according to Maha Taher, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Saudi Arabia: “continued opportunities and skills range from sustainability strategy, corporate communications, public affairs, ESG reporting, to social innovation and stakeholder engagement. Many professionals transition into senior corporate affairs roles or into specialized sustainability leadership positions.”
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Diverse pathways into CSR
There is no single path into a CSR career. In fact, many professionals transition from other domains, enriching the function with diverse knowledge and operational insight.
Some of the interviewed individuals have entered the CSR domain from backgrounds such as finance, engineering, marketing, or operations—bringing with them analytical thinking, project management skills, or stakeholder engagement experience. Others pivot into CSR driven by personal values or exposure to impactful community projects. This diversity of experience strengthens CSR teams, allowing them to approach problems from different perspectives and collaborate across departments more effectively.
However, this variety also presents a common challenge: the need to continuously educate others within the organization about the value of CSR. Professionals entering the space often find themselves advocating for sustainability initiatives, framing them in business-relevant terms, and driving alignment with strategic goals. Success in this environment requires not just technical CSR knowledge, but also internal influence and change management capabilities.
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Career development and fulfillment
As CSR becomes more central to corporate performance, roles in this field are evolving into strategic positions that combine social impact with long-term business value. Companies increasingly view CSR professionals not just as compliance leads, but as key contributors to innovation, stakeholder trust, and brand strength.
Many professionals highlight a deep sense of fulfillment as a major reason for choosing this path. CSR offers a unique opportunity to align personal values with career goals, making it possible to contribute meaningfully to society while advancing professionally.
To succeed in the field, practitioners emphasize the importance of building hands-on experience—through volunteering, managing local initiatives, or working on sustainability projects. This practical exposure helps professionals understand the broader impact of business on social and environmental systems.
It is also important to stay fluent in evolving global frameworks and standards, including ESG reporting tools and impact measurement methods. Technical skills in data analysis, strategy, and reporting are highly sought after. Just as essential are soft skills such as empathy, communication, and internal advocacy, especially when managing change or building coalitions across departments.
In the GCC, CSR roles have also become more financially attractive. A regional recruitment firm reports that salaries for CSR-related positions rose by approximately 8 percent between 2023 and 2024, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This reflects a growing recognition of the strategic value CSR brings—and the increasing investment companies are making in the talent driving it.
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Global and Saudi Arabia CSR Education and Training Programs
The growing recognition of CSR’s strategic importance has led to the rise of specialized education and training programs worldwide and in Saudi Arabia.
Internationally, leading universities like Harvard, Yale, and INSEAD offer MBA modules on responsible leadership and ESG strategy. Regionally, institutions like Erasmus University Rotterdam, IE Business School, and London Business School provide specialized sustainability programs.
In Saudi Arabia, CSR education has advanced significantly:
| Region / Institution | Program / Focus Area | Details / Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| International Universities | ||
| Harvard, Yale, INSEAD | MBA Modules on Responsible Leadership & ESG Strategy | Integrated CSR and ESG topics in global MBA curricula. |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | Sustainability Management & Corporate Responsibility | Specialized programs focusing on responsible business practices. |
| IE Business School (Madrid) | ESG & Sustainable Business | Regional leader in social innovation and sustainability education. |
| London Business School | Corporate Sustainability Strategy | Advanced executive programs on ESG, governance, and sustainability. |
| Saudi Arabian Institutions | ||
| Tharwah Academy (Riyadh) | Diploma in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Management | Practical diploma to implement ESG strategies in organizations. |
| The Knowledge Academy | CSR & ESG Training Courses | Offers short-term and one-day intensive training programs across major Saudi cities. |
| SGS Academy (Jubail) | ESG Training for Sustainability Awareness | Focused on sustainability implementation and corporate environmental performance. |
| Alfaisal University & Effat University | MBA Programs with CSR & Sustainability Modules | Embedding CSR principles in business education for future leaders. |
| Prince Sultan University (PSU) | Research-Focused Curriculum on Corporate Responsibility | Promotes academic research and applied learning in CSR. |
| King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) | Graduate Programs Linking Innovation & Sustainability | Emphasizes technology-driven solutions for sustainability challenges. |
| King Saud University (KSU) | Master’s in Environmental Sciences & Renewable Energy | Aligns with national sustainability and renewable energy goals. |
| Special Highlight | Alfaisal University | Launching Saudi Arabia’s first Master’s in CSR and Sustainability (Admissions open Summer 2025). |
As the CSR field matures, formal education and training programs have expanded globally—and Saudi Arabia is no exception. In the past, a sustainability professional might have had to learn on the job or through self-directed study, but now there are numerous academic and professional courses to build CSR expertise.
Many leading universities worldwide have integrated CSR and ESG topics into their curricula. Top MBA programs (such as those at Harvard, Yale, INSEAD, and others) include modules on responsible leadership, sustainable business, and ESG investing. Specialized master’s degrees in sustainability management, social enterprise, or environmental policy have also proliferated. Regionally, universities in Europe (e.g. Erasmus University Rotterdam School of Management, IE Business School in Madrid, London Business School) offer renowned programs focusing on sustainability and corporate responsibility.
In Saudi Arabia, careers in CSR have progressed from voluntary philanthropic practices to strategic functions that directly contribute to national transformation. Anchored in Vision 2030 and guided by the National CSR Strategy (2024), the sector is witnessing the emergence of specialized roles in sustainability, ESG compliance, social impact assessment, and stakeholder engagement.
Dr. Albogami: “To fully realize this potential, investment in human capital development is essential—through academic programs, professional certifications, and structured training opportunities that are complemented by practical industry experience and rooted in the Kingdom’s cultural and ethical values. This responsibility is shared: the government provides enabling policies and incentives, academic institutions embed CSR within curricula, the private sector elevates CSR to strategic leadership levels and invests in upskilling, and professionals embrace continuous development. By strengthening this ecosystem, CSR will not only enhance corporate competitiveness but also advance the Kingdom’s aspirations for sustainable development.”
In Saudi Arabia, educational institutions are rising to the occasion by developing programs tailored to CSR and ESG. For instance, Tharwah Academy in Riyadh offers a diploma in Environmental, Social, and Governance management—a practical program that equips participants with skills to implement ESG strategies in organizations. There are also short courses and certifications: The Knowledge Academy, a training provider, has courses on CSR and ESG in major Saudi cities, including a one-day intensive ESG training and a dedicated CSR management course covering how to integrate CSR into business strategy.
Similarly, SGS Academy (affiliated with the Saudi Geological Survey) runs an ESG training program in Jubail focusing on sustainability awareness and implementation. On the academic side, several Saudi universities incorporate CSR and sustainability into their business and engineering programs. For example, Alfaisal University and Effat University include CSR and sustainable business modules in their MBA and business administration curricula, ensuring that future managers understand these concepts. Moreover, Alfaisal University has launched a master program in CSR and Sustainability for which admission has already opened in the summer of 2025. Prince Sultan University (PSU) in Riyadh has infused sustainability topics into its courses and promotes research on corporate responsibility.
For those looking at advanced degrees, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) offers graduate programs that, while centered on science and engineering, emphasize innovation in environmental and social contexts—effectively training students in solving sustainability challenges through technology. King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh has introduced master’s programs in areas like Environmental Sciences and Renewable Energy, which align closely with the sustainability agenda and can lead to careers in corporate sustainability (especially in industries like energy, where environmental expertise is crucial).
In short, whether through a formal degree, an executive education course, or a professional workshop, aspiring CSR professionals in Saudi Arabia have more avenues than ever to gain the knowledge and credentials needed. The incorporation of CSR into education is not only building a pipeline of qualified talent for companies, but also signaling to the business community that sustainability is now a fundamental component of professional training—just like finance or marketing.
As companies in Saudi Arabia elevate CSR to a strategic level, they would do well to tap into this growing talent pool and continuous learning ecosystem. By hiring skilled CSR practitioners and investing in ongoing training for their teams, businesses can ensure they have the human capital to design, execute, and scale impactful CSR initiatives. The momentum in CSR careers and education ultimately reinforces the broader message: CSR is here to stay, and it is becoming an integral part of how business is done.
Also Read: How CSR Is Redefining Corporate Leadership in Saudi Arabia
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