Managing Director - Sparebankstiftelsen Sparebanken Norge

Would you like to help create good living conditions and positive societal development in Agder and Telemark?

Sparebankstiftelsen Sparebanken Norge manages significant assets on behalf of the community and contributes to strengthening local communities, voluntary work, culture, sport and other public benefit purposes in Agder and Telemark. As the largest owner of Sparebanken Norge, with a statutory ownership stake of 10 per cent, the foundation also plays an important role in ensuring the bank's long-term development and carrying on the savings bank tradition's social mission.

In recent years the foundation has strengthened its capital base, increased its grant distributions and developed a clearer role as a long-term owner and societal developer. In 2025, 221 million kroner was distributed to initiatives that create value for people and local communities in the region. We are now seeking a Managing Director who will further develop the foundation's societal contribution and manage an important mandate at the intersection of ownership, capital management and societal development.

About the role

As Managing Director you have overall responsibility for the foundation's operations and further development. You report to the board and lead a competent organisation of three employees.

The role spans from societal development and strategic leadership to capital management and active ownership. You will help ensure that the foundation's capital, ownership and societal mission work together to create the greatest possible value for the region.

A central part of the task is to further develop the foundation's strategy and societal profile. You will identify important focus areas, further develop the allocation strategy and ensure that the foundation's funds contribute to lasting and positive results for local communities in Agder and Telemark. Through dialogue and collaboration with municipalities, business, academia, voluntary organisations and other societal actors, you will build partnerships and initiate projects that strengthen the region's capacity for development.

As the foundation's foremost representative, you will make the foundation's purpose, priorities and results visible, and help further develop the foundation's role as a significant societal actor. You will also play an important role in establishing and developing collaboration with other foundations and relevant actors to increase the impact of the foundation's work.

The position further includes responsibility for safeguarding the foundation's long-term ownership in Sparebanken Norge. You represent the foundation in relevant bodies and contribute to a constructive and strategic dialogue with the bank, while ensuring that ownership is exercised in line with the foundation's purpose and long-term goals.

Together with the board, you are responsible for overseeing the foundation's capital management. This includes dialogue with external managers, risk management, reporting and ensuring that management takes place within set frameworks and supports the foundation's societal mission.

As the senior administrative leader, you will also further develop the organisation, build a strong culture and ensure good implementation of strategy and priorities.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a socially committed leader with a strong interest in regional development and public benefit purposes. You have good knowledge of Agder and Telemark and are motivated to contribute to long-term value creation for the region.

You are a clear and trustworthy leader who can bring people together and build good relationships across municipalities, business, organisational life and public bodies. You thrive in the role of bridge-builder and door-opener, and have a good understanding of the interplay between politics, business, public administration and financial institutions.

Furthermore, you have the ability to combine a long-term perspective on capital management and ownership with a strong commitment to societal development and the foundation's purpose.

You have higher education at master's level or equivalent relevant background.

Experience and competence

We believe the right candidate has leadership experience from larger organisations, public sector bodies, foundations or equivalent environments. You have a good understanding of business management, responsible capital management, risk management and ownership governance.

Experience from the banking and finance sector would be an advantage but is not a requirement. Similarly, experience from societal development, voluntary work, grant allocation or other roles with significant social responsibility will be valuable.

Relevant experience from board work and interaction with governing bodies will also be a strength.

We are open to candidates with diverse backgrounds and value diversity of experience, perspectives and competence.

Personal qualities

To succeed in the role, we envisage that you:

• Are strategic and holistic in your thinking

• Work in a structured way and have strong implementation capability

• Build trust and create good relationships

• Demonstrate high integrity and good judgement

• Communicate clearly and credibly, both orally and in writing

What we offer

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the region's most important societal actors. You will take a central role in a large regional savings bank foundation with significant financial assets and an extensive societal mission.

You will have a great opportunity to influence the foundation's future development and contribute to long-term value creation for Agder and Telemark. At the same time, you will become part of a small and competent professional environment with close interaction with an engaged and active board.

The Managing Director is appointed on a fixed-term basis for a period of six years.

We assess candidates on an ongoing basis and encourage interested parties to express their interest as soon as possible.

Please contact one of our advisers for a confidential conversation.