R\&D Director

We are now looking for a strategic and people-oriented R&D Director to lead and further develop our Nordic R&D function and strengthen our innovation impact across the Nordics. Your mission

As R&D Director, you will lead NG Nordic’s R&D agenda and organisation, ensuring that innovation directly supports business growth, operational excellence, and measurable environmental impact. You will operate at a senior strategic level while ensuring effective day-to-day delivery across multiple technologies, waste streams, and Nordic markets.

You will report to the Group Head of Technology & Innovation and be a key member of the Nordic senior leadership team. Key responsibilities

Strategy & Innovation

• Develop and execute a multi-year R&D strategy aligned with NG Nordic’s overall business strategy.
• Drive delivery of innovation initiatives that accelerate circularity, enable safe depollution, and create value from waste streams.
• Translate scientific and technological complexity into commercially viable and scalable solutions.

Leadership & Organisation

• Lead and develop a team of approximately 15--20 R&D professionals across four functional areas.
• Ensure strong performance management, talent development, and a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Act as a trusted partner to top management and cross-functional stakeholders across the organisation.

Portfolio, Budget & Performance Management

• Own the R&D budget and manage a complex project portfolio across countries, businesses, and technologies.
• Prioritise initiatives based on financial return, strategic fit, and resource availability.
• Maintain a live R&D project funnel with estimated EBITDA impact and financial models for cost, revenue, and profitability.
• Regularly report R&D KPIs, progress, and outcomes to senior management.

External Collaboration & Funding

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with research institutions, technology providers, and industry bodies.
• Maximise access to innovation financing, including public, private, and EU grant funding.
• Ensure NG Nordic remains well-positioned within relevant innovation and regulatory ecosystems.

Enterprise Enablement

Ensure R&D services, expertise, and innovations are effectively deployed and adopted across all four business platforms and the wider Group.

Your background

• Master’s degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Process Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in R&D, process development, or technology innovation within industrial, environmental, or related sectors.
• Proven experience leading high-performing technical teams and operating at a senior strategic level.
• Strong capabilities in budget management, stakeholder reporting, project portfolio governance, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience with grant funding and external research collaboration is a clear advantage.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in one or more Nordic languages is considered a plus.

Why join NG Nordic?

• A senior leadership role with real influence on strategy, sustainability, and innovation.
• The opportunity to turn advanced technology into tangible environmental impact at scale.
• A collaborative Nordic setting with strong external networks and ambitious growth goals.
• Flexible location within the Nordic region, with regular travel across sites and partner organisations.

Interested?

If you are driven by innovation that makes a real difference --- for the business and for society --- we would love to hear from you. Upload your CV via our electronic recruitment system by 4.5.2026. Further information is available by contacting Mette Egli, Group Head of Technology & Innovation, +4798480690.

Application deadline: 4th of May 2026
Place of work: Any NG Nordic location in Finland, Sweden, Denmark or Norway. Regular travel across Nordic sites and partner locations expected.
Contact person: Mette Egli, Group Head of Technology & Innovation

We want our recruitment process to be fair and inclusive.That’s why we don’t ask for pictures or long application letters. Instead, we use screening questions to ensure comparable applications. We do, however, ask for gender information to help us ensure a good gender balance in the recruitment process.