Director, AI Center of Excellence

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 curious and technically oriented leader to establish and lead UPM AI Center of Excellence. The purpose of this unit is to support UPM's AI transformation projects and act as a catalyst for the whole organization in AI adoption. This is an excellent opportunity to recruit and lead a team of experts and do pioneering AI work in the heart of renewable and sustainable materials industry. The position location is Helsinki (or negotiable).

Greetings from your future manager

Welcome to our team that will lead exciting and passionate AI based transformations. It’s a unique opportunity to impact UPM in the way we work, to demonstrate your leadership skills and to learn even more about AI. All done with the full support of the UPM AI Program and UPM executive management – Philippe Brikké, Director, UPM AI Program

What You Will Do

• CoE Establishment: Set up and lead the UPM AI Center of Excellence, defining its vision, mission, and strategic goals
• AI Strategy Development: Support development and execution of AI strategy aligned with the company’s objectives
• Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and manage a team of AI experts, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate AI strategies, progress, and outcomes to senior management and other stakeholders
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with UPM’s business and IT teams, as well as external partners, to bring new AI solutions and integrate into existing enterprise IT
• Project Support: Support UPM’s AI projects from ideation to deployment, ensuring they meet business needs, quality, budget and timelines
• Innovation and Research: Stay updated on the latest AI trends and technologies, driving continuous innovation within the CoE
• Data Governance: Ensure that AI needs and opportunities are translated into robust data requirements
• Performance Metrics: Establish and monitor KPIs to measure the effectiveness, cost and impact of AI solutions
  
  

Who You Are

• You are excited about AI opportunities and willing to make AI happen in practice
• You have a Master or Doctorate degree in Science or Business
• You have minimum of 5 years of experience in AI, machine learning and related projects, with international experience and good network in the tech community
• You are proficient in AI/ML, programming languages, and data analytics tools
• You are experienced in the manufacturing sector is highly desirable
• You have a proven track record of recruiting, leading and managing high-performing teams
• You have strong interpersonal and influencing skills
• You have strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to think strategically
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
  
  

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

Are you interested in this career opportunity? Please submit your application by January 17, 2025.

For support with submitting your application, please contact the HR Service Center at [email protected] or tel. +358 204 146 600.

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 is a non-smoking workplace in Finland.

UPM Technology's highly motivated and innovative teams develop new products and businesses to expand UPM’s future portfolio and enhance the competitiveness of mature businesses to accelerate the company’s Biofore transformation. We create value by delivering ground-breaking solutions, fostering strategic partnerships and making smart investments on our exciting path towards a future beyond fossils.