Join SEI Tallinn and play a central role in advancing sustainable development, environmental governance and climate resilience across Estonia, the Baltic region and Europe. At SEI Tallinn, we are committed to generating knowledge that supports informed decision-making and enables real change on the ground.
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Deadline: 31 March 2026
Contract details: Four-year, renewable contract, Full time
Stockholm Environment Institute, a world-leading research institute bridging science, policy and practice on environment and development (headquartered in Sweden), is seeking a new Centre Director to lead its Tallinn centre – one of seven within SEI.
As Centre Director, you will steer the strategic direction of SEI Tallinn, guide its research agenda, strengthen partnerships and enhance its visibility and impact regionally and internationally. You will collaborate closely with SEI Headquarters in Stockholm and with other Centre Directors around the world.
About SEI Tallinn
SEI Tallinn is a recognized regional research institute specializing in sustainable development, resilience and climate adaptation, environmental protection, energy modelling, environmental governance, and analysis of national and EU-level policies. The centre explores the interconnections between people, nature and social systems, producing applied and multidisciplinary research and on-the-ground solutions.
Our work spans Estonia, the Baltic Sea region, the EU and beyond, with a strong emphasis on integrating science and policy, piloting innovations, and supporting the development and implementation of environmental policy at multiple scales.
The role
The role of Centre Director comprises three main dimensions:
1. Strategic leadership and centre development
You will lead the development and implementation of SEI Tallinn’s strategy, ensuring full alignment with SEI’s global mission. This includes setting strategic priorities, guaranteeing financial sustainability and overseeing administrative efficiency.
2. People leadership and organizational culture
You will engage, support and empower employees, cultivating a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing working environment. You will lead the senior management team and take responsibility for the development and implementation of centre-wide management processes, policies and structures.
3. Partnerships, representation and impact
You will build, strengthen and maintain relationships with governments, EU institutions, academic partners, civil society and the private sector. Representing SEI Tallinn, you will participate in key national and international events, promote science-policy dialogue, and contribute to raising SEI’s profile in Estonia and internationally.
This position is part of SEI’s global management team and reports directly to SEI’s Executive Director as well as the Supervisory Board of SEI Tallinn.
Key duties and responsibilities
- Advance SEI’s global strategy through SEI Tallinn’s work and strengthen collaboration with other SEI centres.
- Lead organizational planning and oversee financial, administrative and operational management to ensure long-term sustainability.
- Manage, support and develop staff, ensuring effective implementation of policies, procedures and internal processes.
- Lead or support research and organizational development, contributing to a strong, coherent and high-quality project portfolio aligned with SEI’s priorities.
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships and increase SEI Tallinn’s visibility and policy influence.
- Oversee resource mobilization and fundraising efforts, including identifying funding opportunities and supporting high-quality proposal development.
Who you are
You are an experienced leader with a strong background in environmental sustainability, governance or development. You bring excellent people and organizational leadership skills, and you thrive in environments where science meets policy and practice. You can provide clear direction, delegate effectively and build trusting and collaborative professional relationships. You have several years of experience in strategic leadership, research management and organizational development.
Qualifications and experience
- Master’s degree (or higher) in a field relevant to SEI’s mission.
- Strong research or policy reputation in at least one area central to SEI’s strategic focus.
- Demonstrated experience in leadership, strategy development and people management.
- Proven success in fundraising in a research or policy context.
- Experience in policy-relevant research, particularly linked to environmental governance, sustainable development or socio-economic transitions.
- Familiarity with Estonian governance structure, policies, and key institutions, as well as Estonian language skills, is an advantage.
- Excellent English language skills (spoken and written).
Personal skills and attributes
You should have a strong interest in leadership and a commitment to developing and improving the organization. You should be enthusiastic about influencing, leading and inspiring employees, driving a culture of commitment, innovation and engagement. Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential.
Additional information
The Centre Director is appointed by the Supervisory Board of SEI Tallinn for a four-year term, with the possibility of renewal. Salary is competitive within the Estonian market and compliant with national labour laws.
You will join a multidisciplinary and multicultural research environment with opportunities to collaborate widely across SEI’s global network.
How to apply
We review applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible, however no later than 31 March 2026, 23:59 Stockholm local time.
The first round of interviews will be held online at the beginning of April. In-person interviews are to be held in May at the SEI Tallinn office in Estonia.
Applications must be written in English and include:
- Cover letter highlighting your relevant qualifications (maxiumum two pages)
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
Please note that we only accept applications submitted through our online recruitment system. Use the button below to apply. All applications are handled with care and confidentiality.
Questions?
- For inquiries about the position, please contact Luisa Rojas, assistant to Måns Nilsson, Executive Director: +46-734-604922; luisa.rojas@sei.org.
- For inquiries about the recruitment process, please contact Maria Westerlund, HR Director: maria.westerlund@sei.org
About SEI
Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research institute that tackles environment and sustainable development challenges.
We empower partners to meet these challenges through cutting-edge research, knowledge, tools and capacity building. Scientific quality and integrity are foundations of our work. Partnership is at the heart of our approach, leading to change that lasts.
Our work connects science to policy and practice, aiming to drive tangible impacts. It spans climate change, natural resources, water, air, and health, and addresses questions of governance, innovation, finance, poverty, gender equality and social equity.
We are committed to transparency and full disclosure of our funding. The Government of Sweden is our largest funder, and we also receive funds from a range of public research funders, philanthropic foundations, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, governments, NGOs and other partners.
Through SEI’s HQ and seven centres around the world, we engage with policy, practice and development action for a sustainable, prosperous future for all.
