Ole J. Askeland 🔸

1st Team Scout Viking FK 5 Yrs | Former: Scout RB Salzburg 3 yrs | Head of Comms / Advisor Viking, SSO, SVG European Cap of Culture | Journalist 20 Yrs | Author |Partner Comms Agency 3 Yrs | Executive Dir EA Norway 3 Yrs

Oslo, Oslo, Norway

About

I am a first team scout at the Norwegian top division football club, Viking FK, champion of the national league in 2025. My first scouting job was for Red Bull Salzburg, as responsible for following Norwegian football in the years 2008-2010. My background is in journalism, communications and strategy. Until 1st February 2026 I was the executive director of Effective Altruism Norway.

Experience

  • First Team Scout at Viking Fotball
    Feb 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 5 mos

    Viking FK is a top-tier club in Norwegian football, winning the league in 2025. Historically, Viking is also one of the country’s most successful clubs, with nine league titles and six Norwegian Cup victories. I served as Head of Scouting at Viking from the 2020 to 2022 seasons, before choosing to focus on work in the civil society sector. However, scouting—and football—can be hard to leave behind. From the 2024 season, I returned to the club in a role as First Team Scout, with primary focus on the Norwegian market, and secondarily the broader Scandinavian region, with Oslo as my base, and short travel time to a lot of Norwegian clubs, as well as Danish and Swedish teams. My scouting career started with Red Bull Salzburg in February 2008, becoming their Norway scout. When I got offered the job as Head of Communications at Viking FK in October 2010, I left, but continued watching games and following player development.

  • Co-Owner/Board Member at Askeland Ur
    Jan 1997 - Present · 29 yrs 6 mos

    Family-owned business established in 1904, located in the center of Stavanger and Kristiansand. Askeland specializes in fine watches, jewelry, and diamonds, known for exceptional service, quality, and craftsmanship. I serve as co-owner and board member.

  • Communications advisor, journalist, author at Ole J. Askeland
    Sep 2016 - Present · 9 yrs 10 mos

    I have a background in journalism and communications consulting, and have produced written content, magazines, books, and strategic advice both through my own company and as an employee at organizations such as Stavanger Aftenblad, Viking Football Club, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, the Norwegian Olympic Committee, the Norwegian Football Federation, and Stavanger – European Capital of Culture 2008, among others.

  • Effektiv Altruisme Norge (3 yrs 1 mo)
    • Executive Director
      Oct 2023 - Jan 2026 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Effective Altruism is a movement and global network that uses reason and evidence to identify the most effective ways to help others—and works to put those ideas into practice. It asks the central question: How can we do the most good with our time, money, and resources? EA Norway is a national organization headquartered in Oslo, with ten local groups and approximately 1,000 participants and followers.

    • Interim Executive Director
      Jun 2023 - Oct 2023 · 5 mos

    • Communications Specialist
      Jan 2023 - Jun 2023 · 6 mos

  • Board Member at HAUKÃ…S MØBLER Jarl Ove Pedersen
    Jun 2021 - Apr 2025 · 3 yrs 11 mos

    Ever since 1934, the vision of Haukaas Møbler has been to offer the best in Scandinavian handcrafted and designer furniture. Today, Haukaas is a leading retailer in the Southwest of Norway. I have advised this fine company both as a board member and as a consultant on organizational, business, and communication matters.