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, as one of the most non-combustible building materials.
What You Will Be Doing
Are you an inspiring leader passionate about driving sustainable growth and global impact? As Director, New Business Development, you will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and executing growth opportunities in market segments outside of ROCKWOOL’s current core business but aligned with our strategic priorities.
A primary focus will be to analyze and execute new commercial opportunities for stone wool insulation and adjacent segments in the North American market, with an eye on developing innovative product solutions. These solutions may be created in‑house, in collaboration with strategic partners, or through contract manufacturers.
This role is about creating real commercial value and blends hands‑on execution in the market with strategic vision in guiding new ventures from concept to commercialization.
- Research, identify, and validate high‑potential market segments outside of ROCKWOOL’s core business
- Analyze and execute new commercial opportunities for stone wool insulation in North America, including adjacent segments
- 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 opportunity pipeline
Opportunity Development & Commercialization
- 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
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
- 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
Performance & Impact
- Establish clear KPIs for market initiatives and track performance against commercial goals
- Report regularly on pipeline progress, business value generated, and lessons learned.
What You Bring
- 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
What We Offer
- 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 165,000.00 – 180,000.00. Your base salary is determined based on location, experience and the pay of employees in similar positions. This position is bonus eligible.
Who We Are
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.
Work Environment & Conditions:
Our offices are designed to inspire collaboration, creativity, and meaningful social interactions., empowering employees to achieve balance and bring their best selves to work. ROCKWOOL is deeply committed to giving back to our communities. Through global philanthropic initiatives, community involvement, and sustainability efforts, we strive to create a positive impact in the communities we serve.
Our Culture and Commitment:
We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard. With employees representing 79 nationalities, we champion diversity, provide equal opportunities, and actively combat all forms of discrimination. At ROCKWOOL, you'll find a welcoming team environment built on what we proudly call “The ROCKWOOL Way”. This cultural foundation reflects our core values: ambition, responsibility, integrity and efficiency.
ROCKWOOL is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We assess all qualified candidates based solely on their skills and qualifications, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, marital status, disability, status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.
What We Do
We release the natural power of stone to enrich modern living.
ROCKWOOL Group is a focused industrial company with leading positions in insulation, acoustic ceilings and horticultural growing media based on proprietary stone wool technology. We harness the properties that nature has given us to create products for quality living.
Our products touch most aspects of everyday life. We offer carefully designed, innovative sustainable solutions for your comfort, safety and for the benefit of the environment.
ROCKWOOL Group's business portfolio consists of:
* ROCKWOOL® insulation solutions for buildings.
* ROCKWOOL® technical insulation solutions to both industry, marine and offshore.
* ROCKWOOL® core solutions tailor made stone wool products to be integrated into finished systems.
* Rockfon® acoustic ceilings and wall solutions.
* Rockpanel® cladding material.
* Grodan® growing media solutions for plants.
* Lapinus® solutions for applications such as friction, water management, tracks, coatings, gaskets.
At ROCKWOOL Group, we are committed to enriching the lives of everyone who experiences our product solutions. Our expertise is perfectly suited to tackle many of today’s biggest sustainability and development challenges, from energy consumption and noise pollution to fire resilience, water scarcity and flooding. Our range of products reflects the diversity of the world’s needs, supporting our stakeholders in reducing their own carbon footprint along the way.
Stone wool is a versatile material and forms the basis of all our businesses. With around 12,200 colleagues in 40 countries, we are the world leader in stone wool solutions, from building insulation to acoustic ceilings, external cladding systems to horticultural solutions, engineered fibres for industrial use to insulation for the process industry and marine & offshore
