Operations Director

We are currently seeking an operations director to take responsibility for launching, leading and developing a new care operation in Naantali. The unit will comprise two residential groups, one specialised and one demanding, designed to support children with neuropsychiatric or developmental disabilities. The project includes a school under Naantali’s education department. You will recruit two unit managers who will report to you and handle daily operations; unit managers lead work groups and act as immediate supervisors for carers. You will report to the regional director. Start date is planned for 1.1.2027 with flexibility to fill the role in autumn. Your day-to-day tasks include ensuring care and educational quality and impact, steering staff competencies in collaboration with unit managers, and leading client relationships and school collaboration. You will also bear pedagogical responsibility and drive a culture aligned with our values. Key first-year objectives include launching the new operation, internalising our Sospro way of working and values, building a client base, ensuring quality and outcomes, and making measurable care data visible and communicable. Candidates should have previous leadership and development experience in child protection and foster care, and a social or health sector higher education degree. Experience in starting a new operation is a plus. We value goal-oriented, development-minded individuals with strong leadership and interpersonal skills, who share Sospro’s values and business concept and are eager to present Sospro positively. You should see growth as part of a company’s development. A criminal background check is required per law. We offer a unique senior leadership role in child protection, with support to grow as a leader and to develop modern operating models. At Sospro you will receive diverse support and the opportunity to advance meaningful social work in a Finnish company that has grown rapidly. Our culture is supportive, and we aim to be pioneers in child protection, influencing our vision from the start. Employee benefits include comprehensive occupational health care, disability and leisure accident insurance, and a sports/culture benefit (€400/year). Salary is determined by area of responsibility; for two units the monthly salary is about €4,900, plus performance bonuses. Learn more at https://ura.sospro.fi/ . If interested, please submit your application by Sunday 30 August 2026. For more information contact Regional Director Piia Sauranen at 040 58 3573 (availability 14 Aug 12–13 or 21 Aug 11–13) or HR/Communications Specialist Marjaana Rauhala at 050 4319185. Sospro is a domestic child protection company providing foster and open custody services in Southern Ostrobothnia, Kanta-Häme, Pirkanmaa, Satakunta and Varsinais-Suomi. Our values are courage, individuality, participation and trust. We were founded by entrepreneurs to provide a framework where children and families come first, with tools and opportunities for professionals to perform important work. We promote and sustain child welfare through evidence-based practice and feedback-driven development. Sospro believes in the good in people and strives to have a positive impact on those we serve.