“Omega 365 Design will maintain its focus on delivering high-quality services across our five areas of expertise: websites, branding, communication, film, and design. Our goal is to be the preferred partner for small, medium, and large businesses in the Haugaland and Ryfylke regions,” she says.

This week, Vågen steps into her new role as General Manager. Originally from Ølen, Norway, and a graduate of the University of Calgary in Canada, she brings with her ten years of experience at the company. Her journey at Omega 365 Design began with a summer job in the communications department and has since included roles as Project Manager and Team Lead before taking on her current position.

A skilled and diverse team

Vågen expresses enthusiasm about leading the team at Omega 365 Design.

“We have a talented and dedicated group of people, all passionate about helping our clients reach their goals. Some have been with us for many years, while others joined us early in their careers. Together, we’re ready to keep delivering quality,” she says.

In addition to her role as General Manager, Vågen will also serve as Department Manager for communication services provided to the Omega 365 Group.

“We’re fortunate to work with a wide range of clients—from municipalities to large companies and sole proprietors in various industries. Omega 365 is our largest client, and our collaboration with the Group is very important. Through our work, we’ve had the opportunity to support and promote a company experiencing significant growth,” she adds.

Positioned for regional and national reach

Omega 365 Design has been active in the communications field for 26 years and was originally based in Sand in Ryfylke, just south of Ølensvåg. The company was acquired by Omega 365 in 2015 and later rebranded as Omega 365 Design. In addition to working closely with Omega 365, the company now has two regional departments: Haugalandet and Ryfylke.

“This structure allows us to strengthen our regional presence and continue positioning ourselves nationally. We’ve always worked with clients across the country,” Vågen explains.

“It gives us the strength of being part of a larger group while staying accessible to all kinds of organizations looking to increase their visibility,” she says.

Astrid Eidhammer Hjelmeland (right), who is stepping into the role of Department Manager for Haugalandet, is very pleased with her successor, Maria Djuve Vågen. Photo: Hanna Maria van Zijp/Omega 365 Design

Focused on possibilities

Astrid Eidhammer Hjelmeland, who has served as General Manager, is now stepping into the role of Department Manager for Haugalandet. With nearly 20 years of experience at the company, she looks forward to working even more closely on projects and customer follow-up, both with existing and new clients. Hjelmeland is very pleased with her successor, Maria Djuve Vågen.

“Maria brings strong professional expertise and a proactive approach to challenges. Recommending her to take over my role felt like a natural choice. She’s highly ambitious on behalf of the team, and I’m confident she’ll lead the company forward in a positive direction,” says Hjelmeland.

Supporting local growth

Judith Sørhus Litlehamar, the new Department Manager for Ryfylke, is excited to work more closely with clients in the region south of Ølensvåg.

“We’re passionate about helping local businesses and organizations grow and evolve. From the beginning, we’ve worked closely with a wide range of companies—from tourism to heavy industry. We’ve been here for 26 years, and while many know us, not everyone does—even though it all started here in Ryfylke,” she says.

“Omega 365 Design offers a full range of communication services, from marketing to strategic consulting. That makes us unique in Ryfylke,” Litlehamar adds.

The new management team in Omega 365 Design: Judith Sørhus Litlehamar, Department Manager for the Ryfylke region, General Manager Maria Djuve Vågen, and Astrid Eidhammer Hjelmeland, Department Manager for the Haugalandet region. Photo: Hanna Maria van Zijp/Omega 365 Design

A strong management team

Petter Aalvik, CEO of Omega 365 and Chairman of the Board of Omega 365 Design, is pleased with the new management team, which consists of Vågen as General Manager, and Hjelmeland and Litlehamar as Department Managers.

“At the beginning of the year, Astrid informed us that she wanted to step down from the role of General Manager and focus more on project and client follow-up. For the past eight years, she has led the company with great care for employees, clients, and the business. She has invested in new areas of expertise and guided the company through significant growth, with turnover tripling and the number of employees increasing to just over 20,” says Aalvik.

“Ambitious and results-oriented”

“Maria was the clear choice for both Astrid and the board. Since joining the company in 2015, she has held several roles where she has delivered at a high professional level and shown strong leadership skills that align well with the company’s culture,” Aalvik continues.

“Maria is ambitious, results-oriented, and has a strong understanding of our clients' needs. Combined with her long experience at Omega 365 Design and deep knowledge of the business, I look forward to following her journey as General Manager,” he says.

Aalvik also extends his thanks to Astrid Eidhammer Hjelmeland for her leadership and contributions to the company’s development.