Project Manager, Sisu Factory (Soft Landing and Growth Services for International Startups)

Do you want to help international startup companies settle and succeed in Espoo? We are looking for a service-minded and development-oriented Project Manager to join Sisu Factory, a joint service of the Finnish Capital Region.

As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for Espoos sub project within the Soft Landing and Growth Services for International Startups project, i.e. Sisu Factorys soft landing operations. The project is an EU funded joint project implemented in cooperation with the City of Helsinki and City of Vantaa. The City of Helsinki acts as the coordinator of the joint project.
The objective is to strengthen the competitiveness of the Finnish Capital Region by attracting high potential international startups to the regions key growth sectors, and by supporting their growth and long term establishment in the region.

You will work at A Grid on the Aalto University campus in Otaniemi, at the heart of Finlands leading innovation ecosystem. Your work combines serving startups, customer-driven service development, ecosystem and network collaboration, and project management. You will be responsible for ensuring that the project generates concrete results for companies, growth industries, and the citys economic development. The position includes occasional travel and periodic evening work.

You will work at the Economic Development Unit of the City of Espoo, where we work to build sustainable growth for the city. You will be part of the Innovation and Development Team, which develops Espoos innovation ecosystems, among other tasks. We offer a creative work community with an open and low hierarchy culture, as well as a designated buddy colleague to support your onboarding. Our unit has one of the highest recommendation rates within the city.

Your responsibilities
Identify and attract potential international startups
Advise and guide international entrepreneurs in settling and succeeding in Espoo
Build and facilitate impactful collaboration, mentoring, matchmaking, and event formats that lead to concrete next steps for companies in Espoo
Activate partners and international networks to promote the region as an attractive destination
Co-develop a joint attraction strategy for the Finnish Capital Region, including selection models and a growth programme for companies, together with project partners
Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of Espoos sub project, and contribute to impact measurement and the development of talent retention pathways
Integrate Sisu Factory as part of the citys economic development activities, the Business Espoo business service network, and Espoos key growth sectors

What kind of expert are we looking for?

We are looking for a proactive professional with strong networking skills, who has experience in supporting or advising startup and growth companies. You are able to identify companies growth potential and you actively follow trends in technology development and the startup field. You understand what startups and growth companies need to succeed and can provide them with value adding advice, guidance, and access to networks.

You are motivated by the opportunity to attract international startups to the Finnish Capital Region and to help them establish themselves in Espoo. You know how to build trust, create impactful partnerships, and engage diverse stakeholders in joint initiatives. Promoting the Capital Region to international stakeholders comes naturally to you, and you work fluently in a multicultural environment.

You work in a goal-oriented and systematic way and have experience in project management, development work, and event organisation. You have good interaction, collaboration, and presentation skills. Your English skills are fluent, and you are able to produce written project reports in Finnish and to work in Finnish language information systems used by the City and the funding authority.

Experience in startup entrepreneurship and EU funded projects is considered an asset. Personal experience of relocating to another country, as well as familiarity with startup residence permit processes, can also be considered an advantage.

Employer title and location: City of Espoo, A Grid, Otakaari 5 A, Espoo
Working time: 36 h 15 min per week
Fixed term position: 17 August 2026 – 31 December 2028
Qualification requirements: Relevant higher education degree

We use anonymous recruitment. We promote diversity in our work community and encourage people from different backgrounds to apply. The applicants name, contact details, and other personal identifiers are hidden until the interview stage. Therefore, please focus in your application on your relevant competences and experience.

Live interviews will be held on 16 June.

Espoo – a City of Pioneers: Courage to Renew, Skill to Develop

Espoo is a city of pioneers. Our employer promise – courage to renew, skill to develop – is reflected in our everyday work through smooth collaboration, long-term competence development and smart leadership. Together, we build a city where work has a clear purpose and expertise is genuinely valued.

We support your professional learning and development, as well as work-life balance, through flexible practices.

Our work is based on openness and trust, and we treat one another with respect. We are committed to promoting equality and welcome colleagues of different ages, backgrounds and languages to our work community.

If you have questions related to the position or the application process, please contact the person providing further information for the role.

For questions related to accessibility or special requirements, you may contact: keha.rekrytointi@espoo.fi. All enquiries are handled confidentially.

Read more about working at Espoo:
https://www.esitteemme.fi/espoonrekry/MailView/

Tagged as: Administrative & office work