Job Description
Cespira is a joint venture between Volvo Group and Westport Fuel Systems, dedicated to advancing sustainable transportation solutions. With offices in Gothenburg (Sweden), Vancouver (Canada), and Brescia (Italy), Cespira is leading the way in developing and commercializing High-Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) technology for heavy-duty engines. This innovative technology supports the use of hydrogen and renewable fuels, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our mission is to provide practical, scalable solutions that accelerate the transition to a decarbonized future, ensuring cleaner air and a better world for future generations. We are committed to building on our strong reputation for excellence and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in transportation.
The Director, Market Activation and Regulatory Affairs, is responsible for defining and coordinating Cespira’s market activation approach across priority regions, creating favorable conditions for HPDI adoption interacting and influencing key stakeholders (e.g. regulator bodies, infrastructure developers, sustainability officers, fuel distributors, etc…).
This role integrates external regulatory engagement, policy advocacy, ecosystem development, and coordinated regional activation efforts to accelerate commercialization. Acting as the central point of leadership across country-level activation leads (who carry activation as part of broader roles), the Leader ensures alignment, prioritization, and consistency of approach while translating regulatory developments and market insights into actionable guidance for the broader commercial and leadership teams.
This role also ensures alignment, prioritization, and consistency of activation efforts, while translating market insights into actionable guidance for the broader commercial organization.
Location: Open to all Applicants in Gothenburg Sweden or Brescia, Italy.
Job Requirements
* Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Public Policy, Business, Economics, Environmental Sciences, or related field required.
* Master’s degree (MBA, Public Policy, Engineering, Sustainability, or equivalent) preferred
* 10+ years of progressive experience in regulatory affairs, public policy, market development, or commercialization within heavy-duty transportation, automotive, energy, or regulated industrial sectors.
* Demonstrated experience engaging with regulatory authorities, government agencies, and industry associations.
* Experience influencing policy frameworks related to emissions standards, fuel regulations, carbon policy, infrastructure, or decarbonization initiatives.
* Proven track record working cross-functionally with Engineering, Commercial, and Executive Leadership teams.
* Experience operating in multi-regional or global markets.
* Experience within alternative fuels, engine systems, powertrain technology, or energy transition markets strongly preferred.
* Strong understanding of emissions regulations, fuel standards, and heavy-duty vehicle certification environments (e.g., EU, North America, China).
Key Competencies and Attributes
* Financial and commercial acumen sufficient to link policy developments to revenue and margin impact.
* Strong strategic analysis and scenario planning capability.
* Ability to translate complex regulatory developments into clear business guidance and TCO models
* Willingness and ability to travel internationally as required.
* Strong influencing skills without direct authority across regions and functions.
* Executive presence and ability to represent the company externally at senior levels.
Job Responsibilities
Market Activation
* Define and own the global market activation framework and priorities.
* Provide guidance to Market Activation Leads and Leadership Team in regards to relevant policies status and evolution.
* Coordinate the Market Activation Leads with assigned country or regional responsibility.
* Identify priority regions and countries based on market potential, readiness, and strategic importance.
* Guide and support ecosystem engagement activities conducted by regional leads.
* Ensure consistent approach and messaging across regional activation efforts.
* Consolidate market insights and activation learnings into actionable recommendations.
* Align market activation activities with Business Development, Communications & Marketing, and Sales priorities.
* Monitor progress and effectiveness of activation activities across regions.
* Develop and coordinate public funding and incentive strategies to support HPDI adoption across priority regions.
* Support commercial teams and customers in navigating incentive eligibility and regulatory frameworks impacting total cost of ownership.
* Participate in relevant industry coalitions and alliances to shape market positioning and infrastructure readiness.
Regulatory Affairs
* Monitor, interpret, and assess regulatory, legislative, and policy developments impacting the HPDI business (emissions standards, fuel regulations, incentives, carbon frameworks).
* Provide structured guidance to the Leadership Team on regulatory risks, opportunities, and anticipated policy evolution.
* Lead engagement with regulatory bodies, government agencies, and industry associations to advocate for favorable regulatory frameworks.
* Shape and coordinate Cespira’s policy positions and participation in consultations and working groups.
* Ensure alignment between regulatory strategy and commercial priorities.
* Assess regulatory impact on product certification pathways and coordinate with Engineering and Product Development on compliance implications.
* Lead regulatory scenario planning and provide structured impact assessments to Executive Leadership.
* Represent Cespira in key industry associations and regulatory working groups.
* Identify regulatory risks that may materially impact commercialization timelines or market access.