An article written by Lisa Tully, Recruitment Consultant at Darwin Hawkins
From the searches I worked on and the conversations I had with clients across Ireland, hiring did happen in 2025, but it was targeted. Across renewables, environmental services and professional services, organisations did not stop recruiting. They hired where delivery mattered.
That shift is likely to define 2026.
What Changed in 2025
Rather than broad “sustainability lead” roles, employers focused on specific capability. In my experience, demand was strongest for:
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Environmental impact and planning
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ESG reporting, data analysts, governance, audit and controls
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Sustainability specialists within professional services, including accountants with ESG, reporting and assurance skills
The message from hiring managers was consistent: these skills are still essential, but they need to translate into action.
What Recruitment May Look Like in 2026
1) Precision hiring over headcount growth
I expect to see fewer generalist roles and more targeted hires tied directly to outcomes: compliance, reporting, decarbonisation, asset development, supply chain and project execution.
2) Sustainability embedded into core functions
In professional and financial services, this means data, governance, assurance and controls.
In construction and renewables, it means planning, procurement, engineering and delivery.
The strongest candidates will continue to be those who combine sustainability expertise with a core commercial or technical skillset.
3) Practical assessment becomes standard
More of the processes I support now include case studies, data challenges and “first 90 days” scenarios. In 2026, delivery will matter more than mission statements in interviews.
Bottom Line
The uncertainty of 2025 did not stall sustainability hiring in Ireland, it sharpened it. The roles that gain internal traction will be the ones that make organisations more resilient, investable and competitive.
If you are hiring into these areas, or thinking about how your sustainability role needs to evolve for 2026, I am always interested in comparing notes on what is happening in the market.
Lisa Tully
Recruitment Consultant
ltully@Darwinhawkins.com