Head of Entrepreneurship
Open position: Head of Entrepreneurship (hybrid)
Fixed term contract, until 30.09.2027
Starting time – September 2025
Are you ready to drive meaningful change through entrepreneurship? Startup Refugees is seeking a Head of Entrepreneurship to lead a small (3-5 people) passionate, diverse, and remote team spread across Finland – from Helsinki to Kokkola. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of our entrepreneurship initiatives that support newcomers building businesses in Finland.
🚀 Startup Refugees is a social innovation that connects asylum seekers, refugees, and other migrants with opportunities in entrepreneurship, employment, and skill development. Since our inception, thousands have joined our programs, and over 1300 newcomers have participated in our entrepreneurship courses in four different languages. We operate with a strong values-based culture: No false promises, Hands-on, Based on need, Everything is possible, and Together.
✅ What You’ll Be Doing
As the Head of Entrepreneurship, you will lead a team of 3-5 great minds and oversee the planning, execution, and development of entrepreneurship activities across Finland. Your role includes:
✔️ Managing and mentoring your team to ensure high-quality delivery and sustainable growth
✔️ Collaborating with partners and stakeholders to expand and develop our network
✔️ Co-developing new content and innovative approaches to community engagement
✔️ Actively identifying and pursuing funding and sales opportunities, including international grants and partnerships, to support and scale our entrepreneurship initiatives
You’ll be required to work from our Helsinki office twice a month, but otherwise, your base can be anywhere in Finland.
🦾 Who You Are
We expect you to be active, visible, and deeply engaged in entrepreneurial circles. Maybe you’ve led a startup, founded a venture, or been actively involved in communities like Maria01 or one of the Entrepreneurship Societies across Finland.
You’ll thrive in this role if you have a genuine entrepreneurial mindset and:
✔️ Leadership experience, especially managing small, dynamic teams
✔️ Excellent project management skills and understanding of project metrics
✔️ Confidence in public speaking and reaching out to partners and stakeholders
✔️ Fluent communication in English (other languages are a HUGE plus)
✔️ A deep commitment to our values and a can-do attitude
✔️ A basic understanding of funding mechanisms like ERASMUS+, Nordic Council of Ministers or others.
🤝 What we offer you:
✔️ Salary range: €3500–€3800, based on your experience and education
✔️ Flexible work hours and the option to work remotely (with twice-monthly visits to the Helsinki office as well as attending other events mostly in the capital region)
✔️ Smartum benefits for exercise and culture
✔️ Health care from Heltti
✔️ Possibility to take Eid, Nowruz, Hanukkah or whatever your Celebration Day is off.
✔️ SUR Academy training that supports your professional development and an environment that wants to see you succeed.
✔️ A dynamic and dedicated team where you can truly be yourself!
We take pride in building a workplace where everyone is welcome. Whether you’re a loud laugher or a quiet thinker, we want you to feel seen, heard, and supported. We’re learning together, and your unique perspective will help us grow stronger.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this!
How to apply?
Send your CV, 1-3 references and a brief application letter or short video titled “Head of Entrepreneurship” to rekry@startuprefugees.com by August 8th at 23.59, 2025.
For questions, please contact Aicha Manai, CEO, at 044 555 3220 (on holidays July 14th – August 5th) or Anni Lehtonen, People & Culture Manager, at 050 476 2096 (on holidays July 28th – August 12th)
The first round of interviews will take place August 13th & August 14th. Although the interviews may start already during the application time.
If you move on from the first interview, you will receive a short assignment and have a second interview on August 20th and August 21st.
We hope you can start in September.
Looking forward to talking to you soon!