Chief Financial Officer

CFO

Based in Paris, France

Full-time position, Permanent contract

Beginning: ASAP

PUR Description

PUR is a global, impact-focused B-Corp specializing in supply chain sustainability. We design, develop, and implement nature-based solutions projects to help our corporate partners reduce their environmental footprint and meet their ESG targets. Many of PUR's projects fall within the categories of insetting, regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, forest conservation, and landscape restoration.

These projects aim to introduce more sustainable agricultural practices, regenerate and preserve ecosystems, and socially and economically empower local communities. Today, we employ 200 staff across 16 countries, with key offices in Paris (HQ) and Toronto.

Industry Description

PUR operates within the dynamic and rapidly evolving sector of environmental consultancy services and nature-based solutions (NbS) markets. The NbS market has recently gained traction as society recognizes the invaluable services provided by nature and the need to preserve, restore and harness these services to mitigate and adapt to environmental challenges.

Role

To support its expansion, PUR is looking for a new Chief Financial Officer with expertise in project finance, scaling and structuring international organisations, and a passion for Impact and Sustainability.

As a key member of our leadership team, you will be part of the Executive Committee and report directly to the CEO. You will be responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of our company including strategic financial planning, key customer contract pricing and negotiations, treasury management, and risk management. This high-impact leadership role will contribute to accelerate PUR's success in three key ways:

1. Developing and aligning the financial strategy with the organisation's vision and targets
2. Introducing best-in-class business processes to support the company's growth
3. Providing ExCo and the Board with clear financial and KPI reports to enable strategic decision-making

Your responsibilities will include:

1. Group Finance
   • Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting processes ensuring accurate and timely delivery against financial targets.
   • Perform monthly, quarterly and annual three-statements close.
   • Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial performance reports including variance analysis and forecasts to guide executive decision-making.
   • Manage the treasury function and develop a robust cash and working capital management strategy.
   • Enhance the speed, quality and accuracy of financial data collection.
2. Project Finance and Pricing
   • Validate budgets and pricing of material commercial contracts.
   • Monitor projects' financial and operational performance against initial budgets and timelines.
   • Support the commercial team with the negotiation and renegotiation of key customer contracts where necessary.
3. Compliance
   • Lead the annual external audit process and close the audit process within 3 months of each financial year-end (December year-end).
   • Ensure the continual development of financial systems, controls, policies and processes in line with the organisation's needs and regulatory requirements.
   • Ensure compliance with all relevant financial, accounting and tax standards and regulations.
4. Team leadership and development
   • Change management: support the finance team as the organisation transitions to a result-oriented and data-driven operations and decision-making culture.
   • Develop a target structure for the finance organisation and lead the hiring process for finance-team related roles.

We are looking for a candidate with:

• Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; a professional CPA certification is preferred.
• 15 years+ of relevant finance experience with at least 5 years in a CFO position.
• Expertise in project finance and accounting at organisations applying IFRS 15 / cost-to-cost revenue recognition methods.
• Experience working at an investor-backed company (preferably private equity).
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across divisions and countries.
• Track record of leading organizational change initiatives, transforming and optimizing processes to support growth and efficiency.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information in a clear and transparent manner to stakeholders.
• Experience in the sustainability or renewable energy sector is a plus.
• Fluency in English and French is mandatory.
• Paris-based.