Director of IT

Director of IT

Based in Paris, France (hybrid: 3 days per week in office)

Occasional travel (once per quarter) to secondary offices for mostly training purposes

Full time position, local contract

Beginning: ASAP 2024

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 Description & Reporting Structure
As the Director of IT, you will manage and direct the company's IT strategy and operations globally. This role is pivotal in driving our digital infrastructure forward, focusing on scalable solutions that support our dynamic business needs. You will collaborate closely with our external service provider who has accompanied PUR on its IT journey so far, and start building up your team along the way.

This role does not oversee the build-up and development of data products, data warehousing, data cleansing, and data governance. Those responsibilities fall directly under the remit of the Chief Data Officer.

Reporting Structure
The role will report into the CEO on an interim basis (maximum 6 months). Reporting lines are expected to change as other key positions are filled in the company.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Manage internal IT infrastructure to support the productivity, collaboration, and rapid growth of the teams internationally, driving convergence & selection of tools:
• Help select the best technology stack (Microsoft vs Google) and lead migration if necessary
• Identify, onboard and drive adoption of efficiency and collaboration tools across the entire organisation
• Drive competitive review process to contrast and compare offers from potential partners
• Oversee onboarding of tools through potential 3rd parties or direct internal implementation
• Drive training, onboarding and continuous adoption across the relevant user base
• Develop post-mortem assessments of tool efficiency and relevance

• Proactively manage data security and mitigate risk:
• Implement the company's Active Directory to properly manage rights across data & applications
• Develop and implement business continuity protocols to minimise disruption to business in the event of data breaches or data loss
• Implement cyber security protocols in order to minimise leakage & fraud risk

• Drive optimal Hardware & Device management:
• Standardize Computers & Mobile devices
• Develop strategy to optimize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) & environmental footprint
• Negotiate and close contracts with hardware providers
• Ensure the technological parc is up to date to create the best conditions for PUR employees to perform
• Facilitate implementation of remote work exceptions
• Select & manage outsourcing partners in key countries

• Define & Manage Global IT support:
• Ensure quality support for usage of hardware and software
• Build quality assurance processes and effective ticketing systems
• Use stakeholders' feedback to inform necessary improvements and adjustments to technology
• Select and manage MSPs

• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure they have the right supporting technologies to deliver their missions; including Data; Product & Commercial; HR; Finance; and Marketing
• Implement Green IT practices to "walk the talk" on a technology perspective
• Communicate technology strategy to internal & external partners
• Manage team of 3-5 employees / external collaborators

Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in IT and infrastructure management
• Experience within companies sized between 50-500 employees
• Experience with companies with international offices/presences
• Experience working with MSPs
• Experience and/or passion in the sustainability or related sector is a plus

Skills and Competencies:

• Strategic thinker with a track record of enhancing IT infrastructure to support business growth with a demonstrated ability to lead IT projects, from conception through to successful execution
• Excellent leadership, collaboration, and communication skills, capable of managing cross-functional teams, outsourced vendors and influencing senior stakeholders
• Willingness to be hands-on
• Knowledge of technological trends to build digital / tech strategies
• Understanding of budgets and business-planning for IT
• Ability to conduct tech analyses and research
• Analytical and metrics driven
• Strong sense of accountability
• Tolerance for ambiguity

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in English
• French is a plus

Qualifications (minimum):

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field such as Computer Science or Engineering
• Certifications or certified experience with Google Workspace + Cloud, Microsoft Azure + 365, and (optional but not mandatory) Oracle CRM administration

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