AI Lead

Billerud; Skärblacka; On-site; SEK 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Billerud is seeking an AI Lead to shape how the company adopts, governs and scales AI. You will establish and lead the AI Center of Excellence, govern the enterprise AI program, and coordinate across business units to move approved initiatives from idea to production.

You will translate EUAI Act, GDPR and cybersecurity obligations into practical controls, build reusable patterns, measure KPI health, and report to the Director of IT Governance. Swedish work permit is required.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in technology governance, enterprise risk, compliance, privacy, information security, data governance, enterprise architecture, or related field.
• Ability to translate strategies and obligations into practical controls and guidance.
• Working knowledge of AI and machine-learning lifecycles, generative AI, and external AI services.
• Experience leading cross-functional or federated teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Strong written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Establish and operate AI governance and governance framework.
• Lead AI Center of Excellence and define its responsibilities and roadmap.
• Translate applicable obligations into internal controls and guidance.
• Convert AI strategy into platform roadmaps and delivery guidance.
• Develop reusable guardrails and pre-approved patterns.
• Accelerate use cases from pilot to production.
• Coordinate technology vendors and external specialists.
• Educate and advise employees on AI literacy.
• Measure KPIs and report AI portfolio health.

Skills

Technology governance

Enterprise risk

Privacy & information security

Data governance

Enterprise architecture

Audit

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

English communication

Education

University degree in information technology / computer science / data analytics / engineering

Equivalent experience

Job description

Job Description

At Billerud we believe that when we have tomorrow in mind, we will do our very best today. It is thanks to our employees that we are a world-leading company within the field of renewable paper and packaging materials. Do you want to realize your true value and work for a sustainable tomorrow? Join us!

We are now looking for an AI Lead to help shape how Billerud adopts, governs and scales artificial intelligence across the company.

In this role, you will combine strategic leadership with hands‑on operational responsibility. You will establish and lead Billerud’s AI Center of Excellence and operate our enterprise AI governance process. You are the central coordination point for AI at Billerud and will work to enable real business value through AI. Your mission is to make it easier for approved AI initiatives to move safely and efficiently from idea or pilot to production, while ensuring that Billerud remains in control.

Your Main Task

• Establish and operate AI governance. Implement and continuously improve Billerud’s AI governance framework, including implementing and leading the AI governance fourm.
• Establish and lead the AI CoE. Define the CoEs concrete responsibilities, capability roadmap, staffing model and ways of working.
• Operationalize external obligations. Translate applicable requirements—including the EU AI Act, GDPR, cybersecurity obligations and relevant responsible-AI standards—into clear internal controls, evidence requirements and practical guidance.
• Translate strategy into execution. Convert the AI strategy, technical architecture and operating-model decisions into platform roadmaps, services, standards, reference architectures and actionable delivery guidance.
• Develop approved patterns and reusable capabilities. Create reusable guardrails, decision trees and pre-approved patterns. Promote reuse to reduce duplication, delivery time and risk.
• Accelerate use cases from pilot to production.
• Manage the partner ecosystem. Coordinate technology vendors and external specialists, support build-versus-buy decisions and reduce long-term dependency by transferring knowledge into Billerud.
• Educate and advise. Provide practical guidance to Billerud employees and contribute to role-based AI literacy.
• Measure and report. Develop relevant KPIs and report to the Director of IT Governance on AI portfolio health, bottlenecks, risk exposure, overdue actions, reassessments and governance maturity.

You report to Director IT Governance, Strategy and Transformation.

Note: You need to have a Swedish work permit to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in technology governance, enterprise risk, compliance, privacy, information security, data governance, enterprise architecture, audit or a related field, including experience in a leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategies, policies, legal obligations and risk appetite into workable controls, processes, decision criteria and guidance.
• Working knowledge of AI and machine-learning lifecycles, generative AI, AI agents, embedded AI and third‑party AI services.
• Practical understanding of the EU AI Act, GDPR and AI‑related cybersecurity, transparency, human‑oversight and accountability requirements.
• Experience leading cross‑functional or federated teams and influencing senior stakeholders without relying solely on formal authority.
• A relevant university degree, or equivalent experience, in information technology, computer science, data and analytics, engineering or a related field.
• Strong written and spoken English.

Experience of working in an international industrial or manufacturing company is advantageous. Swedish language skills are also beneficial.

At Billerud, we put Safety First. Together we take great pride in our responsibility to contribute to a safe work environment.

Personal qualities

For us, personality is important. We believe you combine strategic thinking with the willingness to work hands‑on and turn ideas into practical ways of working.

You are structured and pragmatic, enabling progress while maintaining appropriate control.

You build trust and strong relationships across organizational and professional boundaries. This is important because the role brings together business owners, technical specialists, control functions, decision‑makers and external partners.

You communicate complex technology and regulatory topics clearly and adapt your message to different audiences.

You are curious about emerging technology but apply sound judgement when assessing its opportunities and risks.

You are comfortable creating direction in a developing area, making priorities visible and continuously improving the way the organization works.

Our values are central to our business

and we believe that you recognize yourself in: We care for each other and We do what we say.

Contact

If you want to know more about the role, you are welcome to contact Jessica Mellgren, Director IT Governance, Strategy and Transformation, at [e-mail] or Mimmi Jonsson Sr TAP, at [e-mail]

Billerud is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and candidates.

At Billerud, we are fully committed to reduce our and our customers carbon footprint by offering high‑performance paper and packaging materials. We are convinced that the right solutions can be important toolsto help fight climate change. That's why we see it as our responsibility to enable the best packaging choices, for a better tomorrow.

Our proud history in the forestry and paper industry goes back more than 150 years. Since then, we’ve grown to what we are today: a world leading company in high‑performing paper and packaging materials - passionately committed to sustainability, quality, and customer value. Our materials are the basis of packaging and paper products used by millions of people around the world, 24 hours a day, all year round.

We serve customers in more than 100 countries through our three business areas Liquid Packaging Board, Paper and Paper Board. Our nine production units are located in Sweden, USA, and Finland and we have around 5,200 employees in 16 countries. Our annual turnover is approximately SEK 40.5 billion and the share is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. At Billerud we always put safety first, care for each other, and do what we say.

Join us in redefining sustainable packaging and drive meaningful change for a better tomorrow.