Would you like to help drive one of Northern Europe’s most significant long-term digital infrastructure initiatives for research and education?

On behalf of NORDUnet, we are seeking an experienced Technical Project and Engagement Manager to support the continued development of Polar Connect. Anchored in the Strategic Engagement Division, the role is fully dedicated to this long-term international infrastructure project and will work closely with NORDUnet’s responsible lead for Polar Connect.

Polar Connect aims to establish secure, resilient and high-capacity connectivity through the Arctic to Asia and North America for research, development, innovation and education.

About NORDUnet

NORDUnet is the strategic digital infrastructure collaboration of the Nordic region, jointly owned and steered by the five Nordic National Research and Education Networks in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. For more than four decades, NORDUnet has delivered highly reliable connectivity, secure digital services and advanced network infrastructure to the Nordic research and education community. As the Nordic gateway to the global Research & Education ecosystem, NORDUnet collaborates with GÉANT, Internet2, global NRENs, e-infrastructures and technology partners.

A key role in Polar Connect

The Technical Project and Engagement Manager will join the Strategic Engagement Division, which is responsible for external engagement, strategic co-development, cross-Nordic community building and international representation.

This is a senior coordination and delivery role for someone who can combine technical understanding, international stakeholder management and disciplined project execution. You do not need to be the deepest technical expert in the room, but you must be able to work effectively with engineers, funders, governance bodies and international partners.

Key responsibilities

As Technical Project and Engagement Manager, you will:

• Lead and coordinate key workstreams within Polar Connect in close collaboration with NORDUnet’s responsible lead

• Establish and maintain project plans, milestones, deliverables, dependencies, resources, budgets and decision points

• Ensure disciplined progress against agreed scope, governance expectations, quality standards and milestone plans

• Provide clear overview and structured follow-up for colleagues, technical experts, external partners and governance stakeholders

• Identify and manage risks, dependencies and critical issues, including mitigation, escalation and resolution

• Prepare clear status updates and progress reports for senior management, governance forums and other stakeholders

• Collaborate with network engineers, infrastructure teams and partners on submarine cable, optical networking and high-capacity connectivity-related matters

• Contribute to EU-funded, publicly funded or otherwise externally funded project reporting

• Participate in project meetings, partner forums and conferences, presenting project status, dependencies and outcomes when relevant

Your profile

We are looking for an experienced project leader with a strong track record from complex, international and technically oriented environments. You are likely to bring:

• A relevant degree in computer science, IT, telecommunications, engineering or a related field; a master’s degree is preferred but not mandatory

• Significant project management experience, preferably 7+ years, from network, datacommunication, telecommunications, critical infrastructure or large-scale technical infrastructure environments

• Proven experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder technical projects with international involvement and senior stakeholder exposure

• Experience with long-term project phases, including funding activities, planning, execution, reporting, governance follow-up, milestone delivery and decision preparation

• Experience with EU-funded, publicly funded or externally funded projects and related reporting requirements

• Experience with submarine cable projects, optical networking, international connectivity or critical digital infrastructure is a strong advantage

• Strong understanding of datacommunication network concepts, optical networking and advanced connectivity, sufficient to coordinate effectively with technical specialists

• Ability to translate technical concepts, dependencies and risks clearly for non-technical stakeholders

• Practical experience with project management methods and appropriate tools for planning, follow-up, documentation and reporting

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; Scandinavian language skills are preferred

Personal qualities

You are structured, analytical and well-organised, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams in a large, long-term and strategically important project. You are self-propelled, proactive in reaching out, and able to build trust across teams, cultures and stakeholder groups.

You combine diplomacy and consensus orientation with the ability to drive progress, clarify decisions and escalate issues when needed. You are comfortable in a fast-changing, technically complex and multi-stakeholder environment, and able to create calm, structure and momentum in situations characterised by uncertainty and competing interests.

Why join NORDUnet?

This is an opportunity to take on a focused, high-impact role in a mission-driven organisation that enables research, education and international collaboration across the Nordic region and beyond. You will work with highly skilled colleagues, global partners and advanced technology, while contributing directly to a flagship infrastructure project.

Location

The role is anchored at NORDUnet’s office in Copenhagen/Kastrup. If you are not based in Greater Copenhagen, you are expected to be present at the Copenhagen office approximately 2–3 days every third week. In addition, approximately 20–25 travel days per year are expected in connection with Polar Connect project meetings, partner engagement, stakeholder alignment and relevant conferences.