Director, IT

Would you like to join a global, growing company that innovates for a more sustainable tomorrow? UPM could be the team for you. We are frontrunners in developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based materials. Besides enabling both businesses and consumers make more sustainable choices, we strive to create a positive UPM experience for all our employees around the world. We live by our values – trust and be trusted, achieve together, renew with courage. Join us in creating a future beyond fossils!

We are now looking for a Director, IT Services for Global Functions to join our IT Business Services team in Helsinki or Tampere, Finland.

Greetings from your future manager 

Our vision of 'Effortless IT' guides us in adopting automation and AI capabilities to improve user experience, response time, agility, and service efficiency. Leading this team provides an opportunity to observe how we operate and serve UPM Global Functions as part of our commitment to Renew The Everyday. This position offers a comprehensive perspective on managing global functions' digital and data solutions at scale, with opportunities for learning and developing your leadership skills. We are looking for a positive, self-motivated, and passionate individual with solid collaboration and leadership skills. Thank you for considering this opportunity! Mikko Raitio, Head of IT Business Services

What you will do

You will be responsible for IT services for Global Functions and be part of IT Business Services Management team. Your duties will encompass a diverse range of services, including large-scale Finance, HR, and Sourcing. Additionally, you will oversee rapidly evolving services for Marketing, Sustainability, and Communications, as well as solutions for Corporate Functions such as Legal, Investor Relations, Internal Audit, and Real Estate.

You will serve in a key leadership role to ensure the continuity and efficiency of IT services while developing digital and data-driven solutions by integrating our services, architecture, and external development partners. This position offers a comprehensive perspective on managing global functions' digital and data solutions at scale and provides opportunities for learning and growth to advance your leadership skills.

In this role, you will

• Be accountable for business-centric, effective, fit-for-purpose service delivery​ with a balanced mix of internal and external resources ensuring service continuity, quality and resourcing
• Lead a team of high-performing digital professionals, ensuring their continuous growth, renewal and capability development in alignment with company values, strategies and vision
• Oversee external IT services to ensure high-quality, fit for purpose service delivery and management, including seamless supplier cooperation and relationship management
• Deliver IT capabilities to support business changes and maximize future benefits through targeted digitalization aligned with functions’ roadmaps and future business architecture.
• Contribute to functions, business and IT projects to secure resourcing and ensure smooth transition to operations as a steering group member
• Be accountable for your own area’s efficient and accurate cost management including budgeting and forecasting
• Be accountable for IT security and compliance​ in Global Functions service area​
• Lead according to IT leadership principles:
  • Lead by example by being a role model and interested in people
  • Create clarity by setting clear goals and showing the path forward
  • Build trust by creating safe and open climate, guiding performance and granting autonomy
  • Enable growth by providing challenges and being a coach

Who you are

• You have a master's degree in information systems management or equivalent field
• You have over 10 years of experience in working in corporate function like IT and matrix setups involving other functions and businesses
• You possess at least 7 years of experience leading external IT services, with proficiency in global IT service management and partnership leadership backed by evidence
• You have profound knowledge of services in scope, understanding of a complex cross business ERP landscape is a great asset
• You have good knowledge of enabling platforms and infrastructure services, and understand their roles and relationships within a comprehensive service element
• You have extensive experience leading a global organization with proficient management of personnel
• You are a positive, self-motivated, committed to learning, accountable individual with effective collaboration and communication abilities
• You have a consultative mindset; you are a good listener and can challenge others when necessary
• You are fluent in English, both spoken and written

This is what we offer to you

• A meaningful job – We have an inspiring purpose ‘We create a future beyond fossils.’ Our work is impactful and transformative.
• A caring community – Our community is built on great team spirit and shared commitment. We care about each other and the well-being of our colleagues. We support the work-life balance of all our employees.
• Development opportunities – We offer you great opportunities to learn and grow throughout your career. We are an international, multi-business organization offering plenty of avenues for personal growth.
• Responsible employer - Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious, science-based sustainability targets in all areas from climate change to biodiversity. We foster diversity and inclusivity, offering a work environment in which everyone can be themselves.

Learn about our Rewarding and our Ways of working.

Additional information

For further information please contact Mikko Raitio, Head of IT Business Services, [email protected].

Please apply and attach your CV and Cover Letter by May 7, 2025. Please note that we will go through the applications already during the application period and may invite candidates for interviews already before the end of the application period. 

For support with submitting your application, please contact the HR Service Center at [email protected] or tel. +358204146600.

A security background check may be performed for those selected to UPM positions, in accordance with the company recruitment guidelines and the Security Clearance Act 726/2014.

UPM IT is a high-performing, innovative, process-driven community strengthened by IT professionals from suppliers.

IT ensures business continuity and improves productivity by maintaining business-critical IT services. We create value for UPM in joint business and IT digitalization efforts applying new technologies and partner ecosystems. We enable UPM transformation by developing capabilities for the changing business environment.

The success of IT is rooted in the know-how of digitalization and emerging technologies, and competences such as enterprise architecture design, project and change management, compliance and cybersecurity.

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