Are you ready to lead the way in R&D and business development activities in Pulp Mills area? 

We are looking for a Director, R&D and Business Development to lead the development and execution of the R&D strategy within our Pulp Mills Business Unit. In this strategic role, you will drive initiatives that strengthen our technology roadmap and ensure alignment with the broader Pulp, Energy and Circularity business area. 

You will be responsible for advancing lifecycle thinking, standardizing and harmonizing ways of working, and ensuring that our development activities support long-term business priorities. 

Success in this role requires strong cross-functional collaboration. You will work closely with customers, sales, project management, and engineering teams to ensure timely support for ongoing needs, drive smart global resource allocation, and strengthen a customercentric mindset across the organization.

This position can be located in any major Pulp, Energy and Circularity business area location in Finland or Sweden. 

Purpose of the role 

As the Director, R&D and Business Development, you will lead research and development activities within the Pulp Mills business unit. You will provide strategic direction, leadership, and expertise in R&D best practices to elevate our innovation capabilities and ensure strong alignment with business objectives. 

In this role, you will drive early collaboration with key suppliers and customers, accelerating development cycles and strengthening our innovation ecosystem. A key part of your mandate is to champion and execute initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, working closely with internal teams and external experts. 

You will report directly to the Head of the Pulp Mills Business Unit and act as a central contributor to our longterm growth, sustainability, and technology roadmap. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead and manage the R&D team to develop innovative products and solutions 

• Identify and evaluate new business opportunities and strategic partnerships 

• Develop and implement business development strategies to drive growth 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align R&D projects with business goals 

• Oversee the entire product lifecycle from concept to launch 

• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team

Requirements for the position 

• Qualifications: Master's degree or equivalent 

• Proven experience in R&D and business development 

• Strong leadership and team management skills 

• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities 

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders 

• Knowledge of market trends and competitive land 

• Ability to network, build strong relationships internally and externally, create trust, and orchestrate resources in a matrix environment 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, fluency in English, both written and oral; other languages are an asset

Additional information 

In case of any further questions about this position, please contact Tero Kokko, Senior Vice President, Pulp Mills [email protected] 

Apply by sending your resume and application including salary request by filling out our application form as soon as possible but no later than January 30th, 2026. We review applications during the application period, and the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found. In our recruitment process we use a variety of selection methods, such as video screening, personality questionnaires, ability tests and interviews.