IKEA Communications AB

What if you could inspire to make everyday life just a little bit better?

The answer is simple: You can. This is what motivates us at IKEA. We’re constantly searching to find new ways to be better. We use insights from real life at home all over the world, learning about the needs and dreams of people. We use our home furnishing knowledge to help inspire people with ideas and solutions that will help them live the life they want.

At IKEA Communications, we’re people-centric, have a passion for making great stuff, and we aim to be the best communication partner for the whole of IKEA. We work closely and together with our colleagues across IKEA, creating state-of-the-art communication at the lowest price. Located in Älmhult, Sweden, we’re a melting pot of many different nationalities and cultures. Because in order to make things better for the many, we want to involve people from all parts of the world. Nonetheless, we never forget our Swedish heritage that forms the backbone of who we are today.

We’re on the lookout for passionate doers, idea makers, creative thinkers - people who want to find answers to everyday problems in people’s lives, for society and the planet.

Do you also believe in celebrating the everyday life? Do you want to be part of making it happen from idea to paper or pixel? Then keep on reading.

Within IKEA Communications, four new Communication Assignment Areas have been set up with the purpose to lead and develop, with an end-to-end accountability, state of the art communication to the lowest possible cost.

The Range Communication Assignment Area will as IKEA’s communication partner, lead and develop a clear communication offer for all IKEA trademark users for all range communication assignments related to IKEA’s communication plans. Range communication assignments includes but is not limited to: 4 Launches; IKEA catalogue/s; Digital platforms communication; range collections; brochures; home furnishing communication, News; Key Businesses; cross HFB topics; among others.

We’re now looking for an Assignment Manager to lead and develop business and people together, managing all global communication assignments within the Range Communication area, leading to a positive impact of the business and strengthening the IKEA brand.

As Assignment Manager you will… 

• Lead and develop sustainable communication assignments securing a conceptual approach and deliverables for all target groups and channels that delivers to IKEA's priorities and its long-term ambitions
• Co-create and delivers to the ONE IKEA Communication Plan; and caters for both current and future demands through leading the operational assignment planning and oversee all actions are in line with the above ambitions; ensuring end-to-end accountability of the specific communication assignment; from plan to excellence in execution according to the assignment plan.
• Define and secure the appropriate talent for the assignments requirements are allocated to a high-performing core team. Ensuring the right talent is assigned to the right project task through collaboration with allocation management.
• Meet the needs of today and tomorrow by contributing to the necessary transformational changes for the area to stay at the forefront of the costumer journey and consumer experiences through emerging new trends, technologies and communication methods.
• Secure that decisions and insights for ideation, creation, production and delivery of communication are fact based, delivering better market relevant communication for the end-consumer, strengthening IKEA to reach many more of the many people.
• Secure excellent cross-function collaboration and good relations with assignors, partners and internal/external stakeholders.
• Lead and manage people in order for them to develop and deliver within their assignment as high performing teams, securing the necessary short/long- term development, recruitment and succession plans in the assignment.
• Be a change driver for creating an ideas and feedback culture; together with the development of the IKEA Communications Business & People agenda; and in cross collaboration with assignors, internal areas and external partners.
• Create pre-conditions and secure a healthy, trustful, inclusive, engaging and future-oriented learning environment that supports the co-worker’s continuous competence development, leadership capabilities and entrepreneurial spirit.
• Manage closely the budget and connected performance indicators to secure the delivery of assignments and business priorities within the agreed frames (quality, time, costs).
• Challenge current ways of working and take responsibility in securing a continuous development and innovation of optimal communication methods, tools, processes and solutions.

Our Assignment Managers are people who can translate vision, strategies and business direction into clear actionable development plans. People who can identify, contextualise and capitalize on commercial business opportunities and consumer trends to meet IKEA’s direction and customers needs. People with the ability to manage multiple project deliverables. People who lead in the unknown and in ever changing conditions. People who think strategically with strong analytical skills. People who can conceptualize complex issues to generate buy-in, drive decisions and consensus. People that can cultivate an innovative and idea driven culture that enables co-workers to explore and share ideas and reinvent communication solutions.

You’ll need:

• Extensive experience developing and implementing global communication and brand communication for large business/brands within Media or Retail industries.
• Deep understanding of customer journey, how they consume and experience communication.
• Up-to-date knowledge of today’s multi-channel landscape, market and industry trends.
• Basic understanding of the product and range development process.
• Strategic knowledge and deep understanding of the creative concept development.
• Understanding of how marketing, insights, planning, and creative integrate.
• High knowledge in Project Management and project Management methods and tools.
• Understanding of creative team roles and responsibilities and what it takes to make a team work together.
• Experience managing, leading and developing co-workers as high performing teams.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural, creative, and inclusive work environment.
• Good knowledge about the IKEA strategic landscape, IKEA concept, brand, values, copy and visual identity, tone of voice, organisational setup, matrix lines, business processes & owners.
• Fluency in English, spoken and written. 

This is a place where you can focus on doing what you love. There are no dress codes or closed offices. No day is ever the same. All ideas are welcome. Everyone tries to pitch in when needed, and failures are seen as a way of learning. When you enter our building, we want you to feel that you can inspire billions of people all over the world. 

Are you ready to make the world a little better, together? We want to hear from you! Due to the summer vacation time, our recruitment process will be a little bit longer.

We look forward to receiving your application, in English, Please note that this position is in Älmhult, Sweden.

We do not accept applications by e-mail. If you are one of the candidates we think have the required experience we will contact you by email or phone to plan a telephone interview. In some cases recruitment processes may take time, so we kindly ask you to be patient in this regard.