Head of People & Culture, Biomaterials

We are looking for a Head of People & Culture for Stora Enso’s Biomaterials Business Area. This is a leadership role for an experienced People & Culture professional who wants to shape the people agenda for a business at the heart of the renewable materials transformation.

In this role, you will be a member of the Biomaterials Business Area Leadership Team and the Stora Enso People & Culture Leadership Team. You will report to EVP Biomaterials, Johanna Hagelberg, with a dotted reporting line to the Chief People & Culture Officer Sonja Salmi.

You will lead and drive Stora Enso’s People Strategy — Belong, Grow and Perform — within Biomaterials, while contributing actively to the wider People & Culture agenda across Stora Enso. You will work closely with business leaders, People & Culture peers across other business areas and functions, and your own small team to turn strategy into practical, high-impact actions.

The Biomaterials Business Area serves demanding customers with specialised pulp across packaging, hygiene, medical care and industrial applications. Through innovation, Biomaterials uses all fractions of the tree and enables long-term value creation by growing business in new high-performance renewable materials. Biomaterials Business Area is the #1 Fluff producer in Europe and the #1 in Specialised UKP.

Responsibilities

• Strategic partner to the EVP Biomaterials and the Business Area Leadership Team. You will combine strong business understanding with deep people expertise, balancing long-term strategic direction with pragmatic execution, contributing to the formulation of business strategy and capabilities.
• Lead the People & Culture agenda for Biomaterials as an integral member of the Business Area Leadership Team.
• Drive Stora Enso’s People Strategy — Belong, Grow and Perform — and translate it into clear priorities, actions and measurable impact for Biomaterials.
• Integrated high-quality communications with main focus internal comms to drive the People Engagement activities/plan supporting Business Area Strategy, Business Plan and Crisis Management actions.
• Proactive and timely Ethics & Compliance work and activities of the Biomaterials BA.
• Support the Joint Ventures on need basis.
• Partner with senior leaders to build the organisational capabilities, leadership practices and culture needed to deliver the Biomaterials strategy.
• Lead strategic workforce, talent, succession and leadership development priorities in close collaboration with the business and People & Culture peers.
• Coach, challenge and advise senior leaders on people, culture, organisation and change topics.
• Lead a small People & Culture team, providing clear direction, support and development.
• Contribute to the company-wide People & Culture agenda as a member of the Stora Enso People & Culture Leadership Team.
• Collaborate closely with People & Culture peers across other business areas, group functions, People Advisory & Services and Centres of Expertise to ensure alignment and shared learning.
• Explore and promote meaningful AI and digital use cases in the HR domain, using data, technology and curiosity to improve employee experience, decision-making and productivity.

What do we have to offer you?

This is a unique opportunity to influence the people agenda of a strategically important business area and contribute to the transformation of Stora Enso as the renewable materials company. You will work close to the business, have a strong voice in both Biomaterials and Group People & Culture leadership forums, and help shape how we build belonging, growth and performance across the company. You will join an international, purpose-driven environment where sustainability, business transformation and people leadership come together.

Qualifications

We are looking for a senior People & Culture leader with broad international HR experience and a strong track record of partnering with executive-level business leaders. You have led people agendas in complex, global organisations and know how to connect business strategy, culture, leadership, talent and organisational development into practical outcomes.

You bring experience in change leadership, in growth as well as in declining markets, project management, talent management, succession planning, leadership development, employee engagement and organisational effectiveness. You are comfortable working with data and insights, and you are curious about how AI and digital solutions can strengthen HR practices, employee experience and leadership decision-making.

As a person, you are strategic, pragmatic, collaborative and result oriented. You build trust with senior stakeholders, challenge constructively and bring clarity in complex situations. You have a strong business mindset, excellent communication skills and the ability to influence across organisational boundaries. You lead with integrity, guided by a strong moral compass, curiosity, courage, and sound decision-making. You are motivated by developing people, teams and culture in a business that contributes to a more sustainable future.

This position can be based at a Biomaterials main site, i.e Sickla, Skutskär, Helsinki or Uimaharju.

Additional Information
We look forward to receiving your application via Workday. Please include your CV and a short motivation letter describing why you are interested in the role and how your experience would help Biomaterials and Stora Enso People & Culture succeed. Last day of application is 18th of September.