Group VP People

Kongsberg Maritime is one of Norway’s largest and most international industrial companies, with approximately 8,000 employees globally – about half of whom are based in Norway. With a strong engineering culture and advanced technology within the maritime industry, the company is entering an exciting transformation: from being a business area within a group to becoming an independent publicly listed company.

This transition creates unique opportunities and increased requirements for professionalization, efficiency, transparency, and strengthened governance. The People function in Kongsberg Maritime is a key contributor and strategic business partner in this journey, and we are now strengthening our People team with a new role: Group VP People.

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead the People function in a new publicly listed global technology company – from foundation to innovation – with significant influence on how the organization develops, is governed, and operates. The Group VP People role combines strong business orientation and operational experience with solid HR leadership from large, international organizations operating at high pace of change. You bring a clear understanding of the requirements and expectations of the investor community.

To provide deeper insight into the role, our expectations, and what it is like to work at Kongsberg Maritime, we have recorded a role podcast with the hiring manager, Kjersti Nystad Skeie.
Listen here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-485305904-808676494/vp-group-people?si=55be64a896704cedb16797f074f13408&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

About the role – what you will lead and build

As Group VP People, you will have overall responsibility for further developing and leading a competent, global People function. The role has a broad strategic scope and includes:

Strategy, governance and operating model

You will lead and further develop a People function that supports the company’s growth, international scaling, and position as a publicly listed technology company. You set a clear direction through a holistic People strategy for the organization. At the same time, you continue to professionalize structures, processes, and roles, with strong focus on global standardization, governance, and a clear operating model.

Commercial and operational business partnering

You are a key partner to the Group Executive Management and actively contribute to the development of organizational structure, culture, leadership, talent, and capabilities that support the business strategy. You lead the People function by acting as a clear and commercially oriented business partner for the company’s different business areas, thereby strengthening the organization’s ability to deliver on its strategic objectives.

Transformation, change leadership and global scaling

You lead the continued development of the People function in connection with the company’s IPO, with emphasis on professionalization, collaboration, transparency, data-driven governance, and digitalization. You establish an effective global people partner model and ensure that the organization has the capacity and structures required for continued international growth and increased pace.

As leader of a global People team, you build a strong, future-oriented function with clear roles, high competence, and a safe and inclusive working environment, with strong focus on delivering what the business needs.

Who we are looking for

To thrive and succeed in the role of Group VP People, we are looking for a leader with strong and resilient leadership capabilities through change. You are business-oriented and results-driven, with the ability to inspire, develop, and lead through others

Experience and qualifications

• Solid background from senior leadership roles in large international companies, preferably including operational business leadership
• Experience leading HR in organizations with high pace of change and international complexity
• Experience from publicly listed companies, or from organizations preparing for an IPO, including governance and regulatory requirements, and a clear understanding of investor expectations
• Strong understanding of how the People function operates in a listed environment, including requirements for reporting, data quality, transparency, and culture
• Strong competence in HR digitalization, data-driven management, and global system harmonization
• High level of integrity and ability to build trust
• Fluency in English and Norwegian, written and spoken
• Relevant higher education

This employment may require security clearance by the Norwegian National Security Authority, clearance through Civil Aviation Authority or a background check. Please note that this might affect the offer process or employment. 

Meyer Haugen Executive Search supports this recruitment. To be considered, applications must be submitted via the application link.
Apply here: Vil du lede Kongsberg Maritimes globale HR-transformasjon?

What we offer

This is a unique opportunity to further develop the People function of a global publicly listed technology company, working with transformation and change with real and significant impact on how the company will operate for decades to come.

The People team is strong, business-oriented, and agile, with an established practice of regular internal role rotation to build competence across the function.

For further information, please contact our advisors at MeyerHaugen, Daniel Pedersen or Veronica T. Jensen

About Kongsberg Maritime

Om Kongsberg Maritime: Kongsberg Maritime is a technology pioneer, enabling a more sustainable future for our oceans. Our zero-emission integrated technologies advance the maritime industry and solve our customers' toughest problems. With unmatched competence, domain knowledge, innovation, and market reach, we are the trusted maritime partner. Headquartered in Kongsberg, Norway, the company has manufacturing, sales and service facilities in 35 countries.