Director, North America (Region Head)

Finland is one of the most innovative, best-educated countries in the world, and recently named the happiest country in the world for the sixth year in a row (report by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network).

We at Business Finland generate prosperity for Finland by helping Finnish companies to grow and thrive globally, develop future solutions, and reform their business operations boldly. At the same time, we are developing Finland into the most attractive and competitive innovation environment and the most enticing investment and travel destination in the world.

Our organization employs 760 specialists at 37 foreign locations and 16 offices in Finland. Business Finland is a public-sector operator and part of the Team Finland network. Read more: www.businessfinland.com

FINNISH SUCCESS STORIES ARE WAITING FOR YOU

We are now looking for Director, North America (Region Head), to lead Business Finland’s regional work and team.

You will be located in New York, USA, and report to Senior Director, Strategic Market Area Americas & Africa (Global Growth Service Area).

This is an international assignment, which requires Finnish citizenship.

YOUR ROLE

Region Head is a Director level position. Leaders in this role are responsible for leading Business Finland experts, operations and business partners in dedicated region in our international network. They are in the frontline of local internationalization activities and needs, managing international growth service delivery in wide internal and external networks. Business Finland has a registered company in the USA and you will be locally appointed as President, Business Finland USA Inc

Among main responsibilities:

• Taking care of people processes according to needs and Business Finland practices
• Responsibility for Region’s administrative processes, financial matters, governing region’s offices and local operations and support processes
• Ensuring Business Finland’s internationalization services delivery and impact of allocated funding for Business Finland internationalization role
• Planning, executing and follow-up of region’s budget
• Leading and coaching experts in the Region’s offices and supporting teams’ actions in ensuring Business Finland’s customers’ relevance, success & competitiveness in the Region
• Team Finland collaboration: being the Business Finland contact point for Finnish Ambassadors in the Region; driving and creating annual Team Finland plans together with other Team Finland partners; being active in monitoring the economic and social changes in the Region.
• Preparing Region’s operational plan and roadmaps for implementing Business Finland’s strategy and goals in the region and for reaching set KPIs

To succeed, we believe that you need to have certain skills and personal attributes

• English is the corporate language at Business Finland
• Networking and interpersonal skills: understanding the importance of relevant regional networks and interest in building and maintaining local and cross-regional networks.
• Management skills for leading local administration and solution-orientation to solve hands-on challenges and making decisions
• International business know-how/understanding. Expertise and interest in leading and managing international business opportunities and advice work.
• Strategic thinking and understanding: Contributing to BF strategy and being in charge of its implementation in the Region. You feel passionate about advancing Finnish companies’ potential in the region purposefully and consistently within the jointly agreed strategy and plans
• You understand and are willing to learn more about Business Finland and the Team Finland work and network inside and outside the region
• Leadership skills: leading the multinational and multisite team of experts, leading people and Region’s human capital development

At Business Finland, leadership is a service profession. In our leaders, we value

• Effort to keep things simple and transparent
• People-oriented and coaching approach: the best way to support your team is to be available and present
• Ability to ensure that our strategy gets implemented: you make sure that your team keeps their eyes on the ball.
• Ability to express your opinions boldly and constructively
• Building trust withing your own team and throughout the whole organization

THIS IS WHAT WE OFFER YOU

At Business Finland, you get to work for Finland and help Finnish companies go international – while enhancing the attractiveness of the Finnish competitive environment. Your work has a significant impact on the whole of Finland, and you get to influence the future of the country.

You will get an opportunity to work in a fast moving and truly global organization, offering you a unique view into international markets and business environments. When working at Business Finland, you will meet colleagues and partners from all over the world from many different industries, companies and organizations, and you will have an opportunity to grow and influence in the core of innovations and international cooperation. You will be a member of the Market Area’s leadership team.

We invest a lot in maintaining and developing the professional skills of our experts. For example, we offer our employees up to eight working days a year to develop their own skills and competencies in the way they see fit. Our remote work practices are also very flexible.

If you are looking for world-class opportunities with stimulating challenges, join us in creating new success stories and shaping the future of international business in North America.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Region North America: Business Finland offices are located in New York, Washington DC, Palo Alto (USA) and Toronto (Canada).

This is a temporary 2-3 years international assignment work contract. The position requires Finnish Citizenship.

In case you have questions about the role, please reach out to Senior Director, Strategic Market Area Americas & Africa Ms. Mirja Kaarlela, +358 50 5577 543. She is available on Friday, June 30th at 13-15 Finnish time; Tuesday, July 4th at 12-15 Finnish time, and Thursday, July 6th at 13-16 Finnish time.

Please send your CV and Motivation Letter by August the 13th, 202.3 In the motivation letter, include a short paragraph about your view of the three most important factors to consider when leading Region North America (USA&Canada).

As part of the recruitment process, we will be carrying out a security clearance check on a successful candidate with his/her consent in accordance with the Security Clearance Act 726/2014. For more information on security clearance procedure and individual’s rights, please visit https://supo.fi/en/security-clearances.

www.businessfinland.fi