Here at the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, we're pleased to release our Profile of the Professionals 2018 study, a research project that examines the roles, responsibilities, development, and compensation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals. Its findings—based on survey results from 932 corporate citizenship professionals—provide insight into how CSR professionals at all levels assess the skills they need to be effective in their roles and what they perceive as the greatest challenges they must overcome.

The Center has been conducting the Profile of the Professionals for nearly 30 years. In the 2018 study, the majority of those surveyed report having at least 15 years of professional experience, affording them an informed perspective on how the field of corporate citizenship has matured. Respondents of the 2018 study were more likely to hold senior positions in the workplace than those interviewed as part of earlier research. Three-quarters of respondents reported that they manage fewer than three people, and more than half have no direct reports, evidencing the small size of many corporate citizenship teams. Despite this—or perhaps because of it—the majority of those surveyed came to their current positions through networking, underscoring how essential communication and network-building skills are within the landscape of corporate citizenship and responsible corporate leadership.

Members have access to the full report. Not a member? Check out the executive summary, and learn more about the benefits of membership.