Anu Jokela holds a master's degree in sports sciences and is a sports instructor. She has also completed a specialist vocational qualification in management (JET). Jokela is currently working as the Chief Sports Officer of the City of Vantaa, where she served as the first deputy to the Sports Director for more than 10 years, as a member of the service area's management group and as a member of the extended management group of the division. Jokela will take up her new position as Head of Sports Facilities at the City of Helsinki on 1 April 2026.
The Head of Sports Facilities manages a service of around 300 people and is responsible for an annual budget of around €50 million. Reporting directly to the Sports Director, the Head is responsible for the strategic direction and operational development of the Sports Facilities Service, promoting construction projects in cooperation with the City and its diverse stakeholders and partners. The Head is a key player in the development of the Sports Service and the Culture and Leisure Division as a whole, and promotes cooperation with various stakeholders and partners.
The City received 135 applications for the post by the deadline. Jokela was chosen for her strong strategic vision of the current sports services and the future of the services in the midst of societal change, as well as a proven record of effective management of sports services in a large city.
"I am delighted to welcome Anu Jokela to the Helsinki Sports Services. We promote and facilitate physical activity, outdoor activity, sports and physically active daily life, and sports facilities play an important role in our efforts. Anu has strong change management experience and excellent and constructive cooperation and interaction skills, and together with her we will develop Helsinki's sports facilities into an even more functional entity," says Sports Director Tarja Loikkanen.
The city’s sports facilities are very popular among Helsinki residents. In 2025, the services recorded nearly 9.3 million visits. This represents an increase of 7.4% compared to the previous year.
