Director, New Business Development

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ROCKWOOL is seeking a Director, New Business Development based in our Chicago office with up to 40% travel required. Reporting to the Vice President of Marketing & Business Development, you’ll work closely with our North American team to advance our growth agenda and develop solutions that positively impact both our planet and society.

At the ROCKWOOL Group, our empowerment, collaboration, and innovation have made us the world’s most sustainable building materials manufacturer. Our portfolio is perfectly suited to tackle many of today’s biggest sustainability challenges: energy consumption, noise pollution, and protection from fire—the most non‑combustible building materials.

• Research, identify, and validate high‑potential market segments outside of ROCKWOOL’s core business.
• Analyze and execute new commercial opportunities for stone wool insulation and adjacent segments in North America.
• Develop business cases and go‑to‑market plans that emphasize value creation and commercial scalability.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitor movements to inform the opportunity pipeline.

• Lead feasibility studies, pilot programs, and commercialization projects with clear ROI objectives.
• Work hands‑on with customers, partners, and internal teams to develop solutions that fulfill unmet market needs.
• Manage the full lifecycle from concept through launch, ensuring tangible, measurable results in market share, sales, and profitability.

• Partner with existing Product Management, Technical, Operations, and Marketing teams in North America.
• Leverage ROCKWOOL’s global expertise, best practices, and innovation resources.
• Build strong external networks with customers, industry partners, and associations to accelerate adoption.

• Establish clear KPIs for market initiatives and track performance against commercial goals.
• Report regularly on pipeline progress, business value generated, and lessons learned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field with MBA preferred.
• 10+ years’ experience in business development, product management, or R&D ideally in building materials, construction products, or related industries.
• Proven track record of turning market opportunities into commercially viable, revenue‑producing businesses.
• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills, with experience working across regional and global teams.
• Willingness to travel across North America and internationally as required up to 40% of the time.

• Competitive Pay & Benefits from Day 1:
  Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401K Match:
  Up to 6%.
• Paid Time Off:
  Generous PTO, 12 paid holidays, and parental leave.
• Educational Assistance & Career Growth:
  Invest in your future.
• Wellness Perks:
  Fitness reimbursement and EAP access.
• Safety First:
  Company‑provided PPE and programs to keep you protected.

The base salary range for this position is  – . Your base salary is determined based on location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. This position is bonus eligible.

The North America organization, consisting of the US and Canada, is amongst the group’s fastest growing business areas. Heavy investments in new plant capacity are in the pipeline to sustain, and even accelerate, future growth. North America has 5 manufacturing facilities located in strategic sites in the US and Canada.

Founded in 1937 in Denmark, ROCKWOOL transforms volcanic rock into sustainable, innovative products that improve lives and communities. With over 12,000 employees across 51 manufacturing facilities in 40+ countries, we share one common mission: to release the natural power of stone to enrich modern living. Sustainability is central to our business strategy. Through our partnership with One Ocean Foundation and in connection with our sponsorship of the Denmark SailGP team, we help raise awareness around ocean health challenges in an effort to accelerate solutions to protect it.