Director, Innovation Strategy

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We are now looking for a Director, Innovation Strategy to join UPM Innovation. This position can be located in any UPM’s location in Europe.

Greetings from your future manager

“Innovation has a central role in UPM’s renewal and future growth. In this position, you will work across UPM to look ahead, turn strategic insight into clear choices and shape our longer-term innovation direction. We are looking for a colleague who combines strategic thinking with curiosity, collaboration and the drive to make things happen.”- Raisa Vermasvuori, VP, UPM Innovation

What you will do

In this new, company-wide role, you will shape UPM’s longer-term innovation direction, connecting it closely with UPM’s corporate strategy and the strategies and growth ambitions of our Business Areas. You will bring a forward-looking perspective to UPM’s strategy process and translate the aligned direction into priorities for UPM Innovation.

UPM Innovation is UPM’s catalyst for performance, growth and renewal. We turn strategy into measurable business impact by aligning innovation investments, portfolios and capabilities. Our scope spans innovation supporting today’s businesses, growth in core and adjacent markets, and transformative opportunities that can create new businesses for UPM.

As Director, Innovation Strategy, you will lead the development and continuous renewal of a coherent, forward-looking innovation strategy for UPM, building on UPM’s corporate strategy and the strategies and growth ambitions of the Business Areas. Working across UPM, you will look beyond current Business Area horizons to shape longer-term innovation themes and growth domains and translate the aligned direction into clear priorities for UPM Innovation. You will be a member of the UPM Innovation Leadership Team, report to the VP, UPM Innovation and act as a trusted strategic partner for senior leaders across the company.

In addition, you will:

• Lead the development and continuous renewal of UPM’s longer-term innovation strategy, in close collaboration with UPM Innovation, the Business Areas and Corporate Strategy
• Build on UPM’s corporate and Business Area strategies to formulate longer-term innovation themes relevant to UPM’s future renewal and growth
• Frame adjacent, cross-business and transformative growth domains that UPM should explore beyond the current scope or time horizon of individual Business Area strategies
• Use foresight and analysis of structural market, technology and industry shifts to inform the longer-term innovation strategy
• Bring the resulting perspective and strategic options into UPM’s strategy process for alignment
• Translate the aligned direction into UPM Innovation priorities, innovation intent and strategic focus for the Strategic Venturing pipeline
• Prepare strategic analyses and recommendations for senior leadership and relevant governance forums, and facilitate alignment on complex cross-company choices
• Coordinate the operating rhythm of the UPM Innovation Leadership Team, including forward agendas and decision materials, and ensure clear documentation and systematic follow-through on decisions and agreed actions
• Strengthen forward-looking strategic thinking and collaboration across the UPM innovation ecosystem

Who you are

• You have a relevant university degree and substantial experience in corporate, business or innovation strategy, strategic growth, consulting, business development or a comparable senior role
• You have a strong track record of leading strategy development in a complex, international and technology-driven business environment
• You can combine market and business understanding with technology and innovation perspectives and turn broad opportunity spaces into focused strategic choices
• You are skilled in structuring ambiguity, developing fact-based scenarios and strategic options, and communicating clear recommendations to senior decision makers
• You build credibility and alignment across organisational boundaries and can influence without relying on formal authority
• You are collaborative, curious and courageous, with a practical drive to move from analysis to decisions and implementation
• You have excellent written and spoken English skills; other languages relevant to UPM are an advantage

This is what we offer for 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 about the position

The position holder will report to the VP, UPM Innovation.

For further information about the role, please contact Raisa Vermasvuori, VP, UPM Innovation at [email protected] or tel. +358504589760.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter by November 22, 2026. Please note that we accept only applications submitted through our online application system. We begin reviewing applications as they are received, and you may be contacted before the application deadline.

For support with submitting your application, please contact the HR Services through the My job application - Service Portal or tel. +358204146600.

Learn more about how to apply from our Careers page.

Country-specific information

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

UPM Innovation is UPM’s catalyst for performance, growth and renewal. We build and connect the capabilities needed to turn ideas into measurable impact and future business. Our work brings together global research and development, innovation excellence and portfolio management, intellectual property, strategic venturing and the use of artificial intelligence in innovation. Working closely with UPM’s business areas and corporate functions, we support today’s businesses while developing adjacent and transformative growth opportunities for UPM.

UPM – we renew the everyday
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