Strategy Director

Helsinki Innovation Services Ltd; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Helsinki seeks a Strategy Director to partner with the Rector and university management, guiding strategic work and implementing the strategy across the university. You will lead strategic management and operational support services and drive major development projects with a team of four Strategy Managers.

You will operate within the General Administration division, ensuring effective leadership support for four campuses in a matrix structure.

Qualifications

• Experienced leader with strong strategic management, organisational development and data-informed decision-making.
• Able to partner with senior management, challenge views when needed, and support decisive actions.
• Deep understanding of university operations in a global context; proven track record in strategic work and large development projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic management and operational support services with Planning Manager and four Strategy Managers.
• Support university leaders and faculties in strategic work, annual operations and forecasting.
• Oversee strategy process implementation across four campuses in a matrix structure to meet future needs.
• Permanent position reporting to the Director of Administration; start 1 January 2027 or as agreed.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Change management

Data-driven decisions

Stakeholder management

Cross-cultural collaboration

Education

Higher education degree

PhD (advantage)

Job description

for the University of Helsinki, with a strong understanding of the higher education and academic sectors. You will support the University’s management in shaping the future direction of its operations and achieving its strategic objectives, as well as to lead the strategic management support services.

About the role

As Strategy Director, you will work as a partner to the Rector's of the University of Helsinki and other University management. You will help the management team to develop a shared, forward-looking view of the situation, make decisions and lead strategic projects. You will be responsible for preparing the strategy process and supporting its implementation across the entire university.

You will lead the University’s strategic management and operational management support services together with your team’s Planning Manager and four Strategy Managers. You will support the leaders of the University and its faculties, as well as the organisation as a whole, in strategic work, annual operational management, and the analysis of operations and forecasting the future. Your team leads the provision of strategic management support across four campuses in a matrix structure. As Strategy Director, you are responsible for ensuring that these strategic management services provide effective support for the university’s impactful leadership and also meet future needs.

As Strategy Director, you will work within the General Administration division, reporting to the Director of Administration, and will be a member of the University Services Management Team. This is a permanent position, commencing on 1 January 2027 or as otherwise agreed.

What do we expect from you?

You are an experienced leader with a strong understanding of strategic management, organisational development and the use of data in decision-making. You act naturally as a partner to senior management and are able to analyse complex issues, challenge prevailing views where necessary, and assist management in making decisions.

You understand the university and its operating environment as a whole within a global context. You have a proven track record in strategic work, are familiar with the tools and processes of effective strategic work, and have a proven track record of leading large-scale development projects. You lead your team leaders in a goal-oriented manner and support their development.

We particularly value:

• Experience and a proven track record in visionary strategy and development work
• Experience in change management, as well as a proven track record and results from successful change management.
• The ability to utilise and analyse information to support foresight, decision-making and practical operations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to build collaboration across team and organisational boundaries.
• Experience of working in international and culturally diverse organisations.
• A relevant higher education degree is required; a PhD is considered an advantage.

Proficiency in Finnish, Swedish and English is required. The University will support the successful candidate in improving their Finnish language skills during the first year, if necessary.

Why the University of Helsinki?

The University of Helsinki is Finland’s leading and internationally renowned research university. As Director of Strategy, you will help shape the university’s future and strengthen the role of strategic management in the university’s operations. You will lead a team of experienced experts and work in close collaboration with the university’s management, faculties and university services. You will carry out work that has a significant impact on society as part of an internationally renowned academic community.

A diverse and equitable study and work culture is important to us. That is why we do our best to promote an inclusive university community. We encourage all qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for our positions.

We are united by our values – truth, bildung, freedom, and inclusivity – as well as our passion for work that truly matters.

Join us: work for the future – work for the world.