Can you really reach out to the whole world, creating a better everyday life for the many people? In Älmhult, Sweden you can. Älmhult is home to IKEA of Sweden. Here the IKEA range is developed and made available to stores and costumers all over the world. We are here to offer a wide range of well-design, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. That is our promise, and we do this every day with great passion and energy. 

With the task to capture the opportunities of a changing world, New Business and Innovation explores 2030 and beyond. We are here to explore the big problems in everyday life, for the planet and society, creating solutions relevant for the many people. We are curious, eager to step into the unknown and believe in co-creating across borders.

Right now we are looking for a Strategic Partnership & Collaboration Manager for co-createIKEA. Co-createIKEA is an initiative within IKEA New Business and Innovation department, located at IKEA of Sweden in Älmhult. Through co-createIKEA we will inspire and empower the many people to co-create. We will nurture a community built on engagement, openness and the desire to make things better, together, which will support us in create a better everyday life for the many people. For more information, please visit http://co-createIKEA.com

As a Strategic Partnership & Collaboration manager within co-createIKEA you will have the exciting task to lead, develop and establish needed capabilities and agreements for IKEA in the areas of strategic partnership and collaborations. By securing and creating opportunities with the right partners you will enable IKEA to develop and innovate products, services and solutions and help IKEA achieve its long term directions.

As a Strategic Partnership & Collaboration Manager for co-createIKEA you will be responsible for:

• Lead, develop, establish and sustain strategic partnerships and collaboration within co-createIKEA e.g. IKEA universities, IKEA Makers spaces, labs and IKEA Entrepreneurs and other identified clusters areas
• Lead, develop and establish Strategic Partnership and Collaborations development plan as part of the co-createIKEA strategy
• Define, develop and secure governance of strategic partnerships including ways of working, follow up methodology, manage and maintain overview of all strategic partnerships
• Coach and secure understanding and capability to work with strategic partnerships and collaboration in other areas of IKEA of Sweden
• Develop and maintain relationships with appropriate stakeholders both internally and externally to ensure high quality partnerships and collaboration
• Contribute with the development of events and co-creation of activities to further develop relationship with prospective and existing partnerships, with purpose of developing IKEA brand

Within co-createIKEA we aim to build the team around people who are driven by curiosity and enjoys working in a constantly changing, developing environment. We love what we do and we seek people who love their work too, who share our values in their professional and everyday life! This role requires excellent leadership skills with the ability to motivate others. You have excellent interpersonal skills, stakeholder management and the ability to build relationships with all levels of co-workers and external partners. You perform and prioritise multiple tasks seamlessly and you successfully manage to translate business needs to potential partnerships and collaborations. By interacting with different professions, organisations and variety of groups enable brand development both digitally and physically. You enjoy facilitating creative and innovative processes in cross functional teams.

To be successful in this role, you must have:

• Successful experience in leading through collaboration and partnerships in multi-disciplines and industries
• Previous experience leading within a global business, with significant experience in either business or innovation development, preferably from the consumer goods sector
• Good understanding of the IKEA Business Model, Product and Range development process, the total value chain and consumer.
• Strong business knowledge on operational and strategic level, and how strategic partnerships can impact our results
• Relevant University degree in or equivalent experience in relevant industry

IKEA of Sweden is located in Älmhult, Sweden. We are responsible for developing and supplying the global IKEA range. This means we work throughout the whole value chain - from supplier to customer. From the needs and wants of the many people, through product development and sourcing of raw materials, to a product’s end-of-life. Älmhult has excellent commuting possibilities with hourly trains to Malmö, Lund and Växjö, and an IKEA shuttle bus runs back and forth to Helsingborg three times a day.

The position is temporary for two years initially. If you are interested in applying, please send us your CV and motivational letter in English. We are looking forward to getting to know you! Last day to apply is the 7th of June.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Emma Dafnäs at +46 76 619 07 89. If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Fanny Trossö at +46 70 830 33 35.