Head of Impact in Toronto

Cohere is a security-first enterprise AI company building advanced foundation models and end-to-end AI solutions designed to solve real-world business challenges.

Headquartered in Toronto, Cohere operates globally with offices in London, New York City, San Francisco, Montreal, Paris, Berlin, and Seoul. Its team brings together researchers, engineers, designers, and other specialists working to expand the capabilities of AI while creating practical value for enterprises. Cohere's mission is to scale intelligence to serve humanity. The company aims to develop AI that enhances human wellbeing and helps businesses create progress that reaches people broadly.

Cohere is looking for a Head of Impact to lead the company's environmental, social, and governance accountability strategy while establishing and overseeing its philanthropic foundation and employee giving initiatives. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced ESG, sustainability, social impact, or philanthropy professional who can combine strategic vision with hands-on execution. The successful candidate will develop a comprehensive impact strategy aligned with Cohere's mission, establish measurable frameworks for assessing progress, and work across the organization to embed responsible business practices into operations. The role will also involve leading philanthropy, research collaborations, university engagement, employee giving, and volunteering programs.

What You'll Do

• Lead ESG Strategy: Develop and implement a measurable ESG strategy covering environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance excellence across Cohere's operations. Identify opportunities to strengthen the company's impact approach while ensuring ESG priorities are integrated into business strategy.
• Build Cohere's Philanthropic Foundation: Establish and manage Cohere's philanthropic foundation. Identify strategic giving priorities and develop partnerships with organizations whose work aligns with Cohere's mission and values.
• Lead Philanthropy and Research Partnerships: Oversee Cohere's philanthropic activities and research collaborations. Build relationships with universities and other institutions to support research and initiatives connected to Cohere's broader impact objectives.
• Develop Employee Giving Programs: Create and scale employee giving and volunteer programs that encourage community engagement and strengthen a culture of social responsibility across Cohere.
• Measure Impact: Develop impact frameworks, KPIs, and measurement systems to assess ESG performance, philanthropic outcomes, and employee engagement. Use quantitative and qualitative metrics to demonstrate progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Manage ESG Compliance and Reporting: Monitor relevant ESG regulations, reporting standards, and accountability requirements. Ensure Cohere's impact activities are appropriately measured, documented, and communicated while identifying innovative approaches to ESG performance.
• Drive Impact Communications: Partner with Cohere's communications and people teams to develop and communicate impact strategies to internal and external audiences. Help position Cohere as a leader in responsible AI development and corporate impact.

Requirements

• Core Qualifications: 15+ years of experience in ESG, sustainability, impact management, philanthropy, or a closely related field. At least three years of leadership experience. A proven record of developing and implementing comprehensive ESG strategies, particularly within technology or enterprise software companies. Experience establishing and managing philanthropic foundations, corporate giving programs, or employee volunteer initiatives. Strong understanding of ESG frameworks, reporting standards, and relevant regulations. Demonstrated ability to measure and communicate environmental and social impact using quantitative and qualitative metrics.
• Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of ESG strategy and impact measurement. Experience developing ESG performance frameworks and KPIs. Understanding of ESG reporting requirements and relevant regulatory developments. Experience managing philanthropic programs and strategic partnerships. Ability to translate impact objectives into measurable organizational initiatives.
• Professional Strengths: Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. Experience engaging senior executives, investors, community partners, universities, and other external stakeholders. Strong strategic thinking combined with the ability to execute operationally. Ability to work effectively in a fast-growing technology environment. Strong leadership, partnership-building, and organizational skills.

Mindset Fit: Cohere is looking for a leader who can operate comfortably between strategy and execution. The successful candidate should be able to build new programs from the ground up, create measurable systems, work across multiple teams, and adapt to the pace of a rapidly evolving AI company. An advanced degree in Business, Sustainability, Social Impact, or a related discipline is expected, with an MBA considered an advantage.

Full-time employees at Cohere receive a broad benefits package designed to support health, wellbeing, professional development, family life, and flexible work.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Cohere is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equal opportunities to candidates from all backgrounds. The company welcomes applicants who may require accommodations during the recruitment process and provides an accommodations request process to support candidates.