Strategic Partnership Lead

Lead, Strategic Partnerships 

Based in Toronto, Canada or Paris, France

Full time and long-term position, local contract 

Reporting to: Director, External Affairs & Advisory 

Travels up to 30%

Start Date: September 2025 

PUR Description 

PUR is a global, impact-focused B-Corp specializing in the development of environmental restoration projects, known as ‘nature-based solutions' (NbS). Since 2008, we have been helping the world’s largest organizations meet their ESG targets, reduce their environmental footprint, and regenerate the ecosystems they depend on across complex supply chains. Having developed over 45 projects in more than 30 countries, PUR is recognized as both a pioneer and leader in a sector that is now at the forefront of global efforts to address the ongoing climate and biodiversity crisis. 

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to fostering and operationalizing insetting strategies—interventions by companies within their own value chains designed to reduce GHG emissions while creating positive impacts for communities, landscapes, and ecosystems. By championing this insetting approach, we aim to create a holistic range of benefits that extend beyond ecological restoration, encompassing social and economic dimensions through enhanced agricultural yields and resilience to climate change-induced stresses, among others. 

One of the distinctive features of our work is our ability to tailor projects to the specific needs of different regions and communities. By recognizing the unique characteristics of each ecosystem and the cultural context of the communities involved, we ensure our initiatives are contextually relevant and have a meaningful and sustainable impact. All our projects are developed in close collaboration with local actors, including cooperatives, NGOs, governments, and corporations.Today, we employ 200 staff across 16 countries with key offices in Paris (HQ) and Toronto. 

Industry 

PUR operates within the dynamic and rapidly evolving sector of environmental consultancy services and nature-based solutions markets. These markets are closely linked with the voluntary carbon markets (VCM) when NbS projects produce carbon credits that can be traded on the VCM. 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. To be considered a nature-based solution, projects must effectively address real societal challenges and offer strong environmental, economic, and social benefits for local communities. 

Market KPIs: 

• If combined with deep decarbonization efforts, NbS projects could provide up to 30% of the mitigation needed to limit global warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels by 2030 (World Economic Forum, 2023). 

• 5,307 companies have set science-based targets—a 4.2x increase since 2022—and are a significant driver of demand within the NbS and VCM markets (SBTi, 2024). 

• To meet their SBTi targets and mitigate their climate-risk exposure, organizations around the world will need to invest in the type of projects PUR develops. Today, very few market players have a proven track record in NbS project implementation, and PUR is therefore well-positioned to benefit from the market’s expansion. 

You will lead the development and effective delivery of strategic partnerships and pre-competitive engagement; that combine PUR’s expertise and capacities for innovation, project design and field implementation of nature-based solutions, with those of our counterparts to drive forward strategic impact, technical, and commercial goals. 

The role requires a strategic thinker with exceptional relationship management skills and a strong understanding the technical ecosystem associated with the supply chain-linked, nature-based solutions industry. 

Your responsibilities will include in a non-exhaustive manner: 

Partnership Strategy & Planning 

• Develop and execute a Global Strategic Partnerships roadmap, aligned with PUR’s mission, vision and targeted outcomes; 

• Identify new strategic partnership opportunities with key industry, technical and commercial collaborators; as well as key pre-competitive groups & 

• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to support partnership decisions. 

Partnership Development & Management 

• Build and manage relationships with selected partners, stakeholders and industry leaders that maximize PUR’s commercial visibility, safeguard PUR’s industry position and support technical innovation to drive long-term impact; 

• Lead negotiations and execute partnership agreements, ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes;  

• Develop documentation for external marketing and internal educational purposes to maximize the value and potential synergies of partnership relationships & 

• Monitor and evaluate partnership performance, recommending adjustments to maximize value. 

Collaboration & Execution 

• Work closely with internal teams (Marketing, Sales, Technical and Operations) to ensure successful implementation and execution of partnership initiatives; 

• Align partnership objectives with technical offer roadmaps, go-to-market strategies, and customer experience goals; 

• Serve as the primary point of contact for strategic partners, fostering strong and lasting relationships. 

Leadership and Mentorship 

• Develop a standard of practice for engaging with partnerships on a global basis; 

• Coach and support regional operations and commercial teams in their respective participation in the planning and execution of strategic partnerships at the regional level; & 

• Educate and train global teams on PUR’s Partnership Strategy; ensuring effective participation and common approaches to Partnership relations on a global company basis. 

Performance & Reporting 

• Define partnership success metrics and track KPIs to measure impact of each relationship with regard to PUR’s mission and targeted outcomes; 

• Provide regular updates and strategic recommendations to senior leadership. 

Qualification and experience: 

Education & Experience 

• Master's degree (or Bachelor's with equivalent experience) in business, marketing or a related field; 

• 6+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development or corporate strategy;  

• A strong preference for this experience to come in related technical fields of carbon, regenerative agriculture, development, MRV technology or agri-commodities 

• Proven track record of building and managing high value partnerships; 

• Strong negotiation, relationship management and communication skills; 

• Analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into strategic insights. 

Skills & Competencies 

• Strategic thinking and vision; 

• Business acumen and market insight; 

• Excellent networking and relationship-building skills 

• Negotiation and influence; 

• Cross-functional collaboration; 

• Results-oriented. 

Other Requirements

• Willingness to travel for conferences, industry events and for regional workshops with strategic partners; 

• Passion for sustainability, social impact and governance. 

Recruitment process: 

• 1 hour HR interview 

• 30-min interview with the Chief of Technical Team

• Case study interview 

• References check 

At PUR, we strive to build inclusive teams and an equitable workplace where our employees feel respected, supported, and empowered. As a global company operating across six continents, we recognize that diversity in the workplace is essential to achieving our mission.  

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, gender, colour, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other aspect that makes them unique. 

PUR is dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all candidates during the application process and for employees during their employment.  If you require accommodation or consideration throughout the interview process, let us know, and we will do our best to support you.