Director, Operational Excellence

Adven Group; Vantaa; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Adven Group is seeking a Director of Operational Excellence to lead its continuous improvement agenda across Finland and the Baltics, driving initiatives that lift efficiency, EBITDA, and cash flow while upholding safety and sustainability. The role combines operational excellence with business development, financial analysis, and transformation.

You will manage a portfolio of initiatives across functions, partner with country managers, and report to the SVP, Finland & Baltics, with some travel

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Economics, Business, or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years in operational excellence or related fields.
• Proven track record leading improvement initiatives.
• Strong commercial, financial, and technical understanding of asset-intensive businesses.
• Experience managing multiple initiatives and stakeholders across functions and countries.
• Excellent analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management with hands-on, results-oriented approach.
• Professional proficiency in Finnish and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead Adven's continuous improvement process and manage a portfolio of improvement initiatives across operations, commercial, fuel, and procurement.
• Identify, prioritize, and drive initiatives that improve efficiency, EBITDA, cash flow, and overall operational performance.
• Work closely with Country Managers and initiative owners to ensure successful implementation and measurable results.
• Develop and evaluate business cases, investment options, and their financial impact.
• Monitor and report progress across Finland and the Baltics, supporting budgeting and forecasting.
• Support selected innovation and investment topics, particularly within electrification and reserve markets.
• Analyse market and technology developments to identify new opportunities for Adven.

Skills

Business mindset

Hands-on leadership

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Project management

Communication skills

Finnish language

English language

Education

Master's degree in Engineering/ Economics/ Business

Job description

Adven is a dynamic energy group driving the energy transition by developing sustainable and competitive solutions in partnership with customers, municipalities, and suppliers. Together, our 600+ employees provide households and businesses with district heating and geoenergy solutions, and industries with steam, heating, cooling, and infrastructure services that improve resource efficiency.

With over 50 years of experience, we operate more than 350 sites across Europe, delivering a total energy volume of 5.1 TWh. Our annual revenue is €424 million, and our total assets amount to €1,480 million.

We are looking for a Director, Operational Excellence to lead Adven's continuous improvement agenda

As Director, Operational Excellence, you will lead Adven's continuous improvement process across Finland and the Baltics, with a strong focus on identifying and implementing initiatives that improve operational efficiency, EBITDA, and cash flow.

You will play a central role in ensuring that Adven continues to be a leading benchmark in our industry when it comes to overall operational performance, while maintaining our strong focus on safety, sustainability, and reliability of supply. You will work closely with Country Managers and country management teams as well as initiative owners across the organization to turn improvement opportunities into tangible and measurable results.

The role combines operational excellence, business development, financial analysis, and transformation. You will manage a portfolio of improvement initiatives across operations, commercial, fuel, and procurement, while also supporting innovation and investment topics, particularly within electrification and reserve markets.

This is a high-impact role with broad exposure across Adven's organization. You will have the opportunity to shape how we continuously improve our performance and strengthen our competitiveness across the Group.

The position is based at Adven's office in Vantaa, Finland, with a possibility for 1–2 days working remotely. Other Adven office locations in Finland, including Oulu, Jyväskylä and Seinäjoki, may also be considered. You will report to the SVP, Finland & Baltics and work closely with Country Managers across the region. The role includes some travel across Adven's operations and countries.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Lead Adven's continuous improvement process and manage a portfolio of improvement initiatives across operations, commercial, fuel, and procurement
• Identify, prioritize, and drive initiatives that improve efficiency, EBITDA, cash flow, and overall operational performance
• Work closely with Country Managers, country management teams, and initiative owners to ensure successful implementation and measurable results
• Develop and evaluate business cases, investment options, and their financial impact
• Monitor and report progress and results across Finland and the Baltics, supporting Finance in budgeting and forecasting
• Support selected innovation and investment topics, particularly within electrification and reserve markets
• Analyse market and technology developments to identify new opportunities for Adven and support alignment across the organization

To Succeed in This Role

You are a business-oriented and hands‑on improvement leader who is motivated by turning opportunities into measurable results. You combine strong analytical capabilities with a practical understanding of how operational improvements are implemented in real-world environments.

You are comfortable working across functions and countries and have the ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders as well as operational teams. You know how to structure complex improvement topics, prioritize opportunities, build compelling business cases, and drive initiatives through to implementation.

You have a good understanding of both technical and commercial aspects of an asset-intensive business. You are able to connect operational performance with financial outcomes and understand how improvements in efficiency, waste reduction, investments, and working capital can contribute to EBITDA and cash flow.

You are structured, proactive, and persistent in driving progress. At the same time, you are collaborative and able to create commitment around common goals. You enjoy working in an international environment where you can have a tangible impact on how the business develops and performs.

Key Requirements

• Master's degree in Engineering, Economics, Business, or a relevant equivalent
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, business development, management consulting, or a similar field
• Proven track record in leading improvement initiatives from business case development through implementation and measurable results
• Strong commercial, financial, and technical understanding of an asset-intensive business
• Experience in managing multiple initiatives and stakeholders across functions and countries
• Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a hands‑on and results‑oriented approach
• Professional proficiency in Finnish and English
• Experience from the energy, utilities, infrastructure, manufacturing, or another asset-intensive industry is strongly preferred
• Experience with electrification, energy markets, reserve markets, or energy‑related investments is considered a strong advantage

What We Offer

You will have a unique opportunity to play a central role in improving the performance of a growing international energy group and shaping how Adven continuously develops its operations.

In this role, you will work across countries and functions, with broad visibility into Adven's operations and direct interaction with senior management and Country Managers. You will have significant ownership in identifying and driving initiatives that create tangible improvements in efficiency, EBITDA, cash flow, and competitiveness.

We offer a flexible, development-oriented work culture with clear targets, where you are supported in your professional growth.

This is an opportunity to combine operational excellence, business development, financial analysis, and innovation in a role where you can make a measurable impact on Adven's performance and future development.