Executive Director to MISUM

Handelshögskolan i Stockholm; Stockholms kommun; On-site; SEK 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

A research center for sustainable markets seeks an Executive Director to oversee operations and ensure effective delivery of strategic initiatives. The role involves managing personnel, supporting fundraising, and enhancing the center's societal impact. Candidates should possess leadership skills, an understanding of academic institutions, and a commitment to sustainability. A PhD is preferred. This is a full-time position located in Stockholm and includes a 6-month probationary period.

Qualifications

• Strong operational leadership skills with the ability to translate strategic direction into effective processes.
• Understanding of academic institutions, especially business schools.
• Demonstrated experience in HR processes or people-focused operational roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the operations team for day-to-day management.
• Support fundraising efforts and manage donor relations.
• Manage the center’s budget and prepare financial reports.
• Initiate new initiatives planned for the coming years, including setting up the Impact Lab.

Skills

Operational leadership skills

Understanding of academic institutions

Proactive, entrepreneurial approach

Exceptional communication skills

HR experience

Education

PhD (meritorious)

Job description

Mistra Center for Sustainable Markets (MISUM) at the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) is entering an exciting new phase when we are expanding our work and are seeking an operationally strong and collaborative Executive Director to support the center’s development and ensure high-quality day-to-day operations. This role is ideal for someone with an interest in sustainability who wants to work in a research environment.

As Executive Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the center. Your responsibilities will span across operational personnel matters, supporting strategic, and financial planning and fundraising, donor relations, international and national outreach, research initiatives and the coordination of visiting researchers. You will be instrumental in building and continuously improving the center’s academic and societal impact.

As Executive Director, you will lead the operations team and oversee the center’s daily activities, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. You will drive the implementation of the center’s strategy, building effective structures and routines, manage the budget, and implementing business development initiatives, such as the new “Impact Lab”. Furthermore, part of your work will also be to manage donor and stakeholder relations. The role also includes responsibility for operational HR, such as conducting employee dialogues, addressing day-to-day personnel matters, and fostering a positive and well-functioning work environment. Formal personnel responsibility lies with the Center Director.

The Executive Director will work in close collaboration with the Center Director, Professor Martina Björkman Nyqvist, who holds the overall responsibility for the center’s vision, strategic direction, and fundraising. Together, you will contribute to the continued development of the center, with you as the Executive Director focusing on operational excellence, implementation, and people processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate the operations team, ensuring smooth and efficient day-to-day management of all center activities
• Drive the implementation of the center’s strategy set by the Center Director, through effective processes, structured routines, and proactive planning
• Support fundraising efforts and manage donor relations Manage the center’s budget, prepare annual and quarterly financial reports for the Board, and our funders. Develop and execute outreach initiatives together with the staff at Misum. Coordinate international collaborations and visiting scholar programs Ensure operational excellence and continuous improvement Manage operational HR, including employee dialogues, onboarding support, and daily personnel matters
• Initiate new initiatives that are planned for in the next years including setting up the Impact Lab

Profile

We are looking for a candidate who possesses:

• Strong operational leadership skills with the ability to translate strategic direction into effective processes, routines, and high-quality delivery
• An understanding of academic institutions, particularly business schools, and working in complex environments
• A proactive, entrepreneurial approach with a commitment to quality and timeliness
• Exceptional capacity to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Demonstrated experience in HR processes or people-focused operational roles, preferably having worked in a team leader or similar role before
• A high degree of self-motivation, strong initiative, and the ability to work independently while driving progress without constant direction
• Exceptional communication skills in English, Swedish is meritorious
• A PhD is meritorious

This is a unique opportunity to continue to develop the Mistra Center for Sustainable Markets that is changing name to House of Sustainable Society (HoSS). If you are a person who can turn strategy and vision into concrete, high-quality operational delivery, and who have a passion for academic excellence and societal impact, we encourage you to apply.

This is a permanent, full-time position and a 6-months probationary period applies. Background checks will be conducted on final candidates.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Martina Björkman Nyqvist, [e-mail]

About MISUM

MISUM, the Mistra Center for Sustainable Markets, is a cross-disciplinary research center at the Stockholm School of Economics dedicated to advancing sustainable markets through research, education, and outreach. The center collaborates with academia, business, and policy stakeholders to develop knowledge and solutions for sustainable market transformation. MISUM’s research focuses on areas such as human capital development, sustainable business models, and effective accounting frameworks, while its educational initiatives integrate sustainability into SSE’s programs to equip students with the tools to address global challenges. Through outreach activities, MISUM engages with stakeholders via events, seminars, and collaborations to disseminate research findings and promote sustainable practices, ultimately working to enhance the understanding of sustainable markets and drive positive change. Misum will change name to House of Sustainable Society (HoSS) and have just received renewed funding for the next five years and will move on with new initatives such as a new Impact Lab as well as new research projects.

MISUM headquarters currently consists of three ambitious colleagues and Professor Martina Björkman Nyqvist.

About the Stockholm School of Economics

The Stockholm School of Economics is ranked as the top business school in the Nordic and Baltic countries and enjoys a strong international reputation. World-class research forms the foundation of our educational offering, which includes Bachelor, Master, PhD, MBA, and Executive Education programs. Through creativity and collaboration, the Stockholm School of Economics provides an environment where ambitious students and accomplished researchers meet to address contemporary challenges within business and economics, particularly those concerning sustainability, diversity and innovation.

SSE is committed to a balanced gender distribution and values a variety of backgrounds and experiences among our employees. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, disability, sexual orientation, age, or religion or other beliefs. We strive to have a fair and inclusive recruitment process.

Type of employment

Contract type

Contract type Full time

Number of positions

Number of positions 1

Full-time equivalent 100

City

City Stockholm

County

Country

Country Sweden

Reference number

Reference number 2025/75

Contact