Business and Internal Communication Leader | IKEA Identity, Range and Communication | Core Business Franchise

You see things a little differently. So do we. Leadership at IKEA is simple, clear and humble. We’re not fans of bureaucracy and complicated hierarchy. For our Identity, Range and Communication Leadership Assignment Area, we are strengthening the team with a Business and Internal Communication Leader to help us continue creating a strong and unique IKEA brand through our range and communication.

We believe a better home creates a better everyday life. To fulfil this, we are committed to building a better IKEA through our offer and how it comes to life.

Come see things a little differently with us.

About us

Inter IKEA Systems B.V. (Core Business Franchise) is one part of Inter IKEA Group. Inter IKEA Group consists of three core businesses in total: Franchise, Range & Supply and Industry. Together, these core businesses work to secure continuous improvement, development, expansion and longevity of the IKEA Concept.  
Core Business Franchise is the owner of the IKEA Concept and the worldwide IKEA franchisor. We are specifically responsible for the IKEA strategic framework, ensuring the IKEA Concept is updated, relevant, implemented and followed-up – together with all IKEA trademark users.

At Core Business Franchise we enable IKEA people in the value chain by developing new ways of working supported by processes, methods, tools and services. We do that by leading the development of solutions that ensure a unique and successful meeting with existing and new IKEA customers. Leading when and how IKEA expands, we enable one common way of working, with high impact at a low cost.

In our working environment we challenge ourselves to create room to experiment, try new ways and dare to ask: “What if…?” We love high performance with meaning that delivers into the IKEA Vision at the same time as developing you and your career globally. Read more about us at franchisor.IKEA.com

About the role

As Business and Internal Communication Leader, you will lead the full communication agenda of Identity, Range and Communication team interdependently across Core Business Franchise (CBF), engaging with the IKEA franchise system and the IKEA value chain. In addition to being part of the Leadership Assignment Area’s management team, you are also a member of the Core Business Franchise Communication matrix team, and you will drive and/or contribute to cross-business assignments.

You will combine your knowledge of strategic, tactical and operational communication to increase the impact of the business and brand and make use of your broad experience in both internal and strategic business communication to coach and support leaders and co-workers to lead with communication. You also have an understanding for external communications – including media relations, PR and external relations. We count on you with planning and delivering communication in the most effective, engaging and relevant way possible. You will report to the IKEA Identity, Range and Communication Manager.

In this assignment, you will work together with colleagues in the leadership area, the communication matrix and stakeholders across the business. The majority of your work will be within the leadership area but you will also be able to contribute with your communication knowledge in assignments that support in overall CBF business priorities areas. You will be a part of creating the foundation for today and adapt for the future by providing communication that is 100% IKEA, delivers tangible growth and strengthens the position for IKEA as a trusted and meaningful company, brand and employer.

To be successful, being a creative problem solver and getting things done comes easy. You have a lot of passion for making complicated things understandable. You have a high level of communication expertise and a solid track record of working with co-workers across cultures and demographics. You have a genuine interest in building relationships, partnerships and networks. You also have energy and skill to coach and mentor others to develop in their assignment.

Your main responsibilities as Business and Internal Communication Leader in IKEA Identity, Range and Communication are: 

-        Plan and secure that communication supports the business priorities within IKEA Identity, Range and Communication and contributes to the overall business priorities for Core Business Franchise

-        Develop and lead the creation and development of communication and co-worker engagement for IKEA Identity, Range and Communication and contribute to business communication framework development initiatives (guidelines, examples and solutions) connected to IKEA Identity, Range and Communication;

-        Plan and lead the internal communication landscape within IKEA Identity, Range and Communication.  

-        With input from your Leadership Assignment Area, contribute to the communication plan for Core Business Franchise, supporting the ONE IKEA business plan and the Core Business Franchise action plan;

-        Enable integration of communication and co-workers engagement, rooted in the IKEA visual identity and IKEA range, across internal co-worker channels.

-        Contribute to communicating other defined Core Business Franchise initiatives (e.g. IKEA franchise offer, Core Business Franchise business plan, business plan focus weeks);

-        Within the Communication Matrix, contribute to testing new ways to communicate, increasing effectiveness and efficiency;

-        Enable the development of communication competences: identify needs and create/co-ordinate learning and development opportunities;

-        Identify interdependencies and synergies with other units/assignments/businesses and lead together with others to realise the full potential of IKEA.

-        Collaborate with Inter IKEA Group Communications with media and business content that is connected to CBF and IKEA Identity, Range and Communication (communication responsibility follows business responsibility)

-        Support business success by following up on the performance of the implementation of the communication and engagement solutions, together with the different leadership assignments.  

About you

We expect you to have at least 5 years of experience in a related function in IKEA retail and/or Range & Supply, leading communication in an international environment. It is important that you have the ability to express a clear vision, create engagement and drive impactful communication initiatives. You have great interest and in-depth knowledge in creating synergies between co-worker engagement and content as well as a deep understanding of the IKEA business and IKEA value chain. You have an ability to work strategical, tactical and operational within communication.

Your experience in working with and leading creative processes enables you to support business success by following up on the performance of the implementation of the communication and engagement solutions, together with the different stakeholders and ensure constant improvement. With the increased relevance of our digital collaboration tools, we expect you to have experience with how digital capabilities enable rewarding co-worker experiences.

Moreover, you work effectively as a member of multiple cross-functional teams, as well as independently and you are capable to prioritise and manage multiple tasks, projects and deadlines in an environment where change is regular, while keeping stakeholders informed and involved. You are recognised for communicating complex issues in a clear and engaging way with IKEA tone of voice and are able to build trustful and strong working relationships across diverse groups of people.

This position is full-time (40 hours per week) and is located in Älmhult, Sweden. Please note that we will be interviewing continuously, which means that we may close the application process earlier than stated if we find the right candidate.

Please send your application – CV and letter of motivation – in English by April 10th 2020. We really want to get to know you, so make sure you tell us why you want to work at CBF and why you would be a good fit for this role. Take the time to share with us what your passion is in communication. 

Want to explore more before applying? Here´s some links for you!