Public Affairs Leader

Company Description

With a unique Småländsk history, Älmhult is the heart of IKEA, where we have our roots. It’s the home of functional, well-designed, and affordable Swedish home furnishing and a center for innovation. We call it Democratic design. 

IKEA Älmhult AB, including IKEA Museum, IKEA Hotell and IKEA Property, is on an exciting journey to make Älmhult an even better place for the next generation. We want Älmhult to grow, with both people and businesses and make this a unique and attractive place where the many people can experience IKEA yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We want to build the next generation of culture carriers and to strengthen the IKEA Brand. Do you share our passion for IKEA and Älmhult and want to join us in our mission to make this unique place even better tomorrow? 

Job Description

As a Public Affairs Leader, you will develop, lead, and execute the Public Affairs plan and agenda for IKEA in Älmhult within the assignment and responsibility for IKEA Älmhult AB. You will maintain, establish and strengthen our long-term relationships with relevant policymakers and opinion builders. You will contribute to strengthening the IKEA brand and IKEA in Älmhult as an attractive employer and global company on the countryside in Småland, Sweden by being a trustworthy partner in the public policy dialogues.

Furthermore, your responsibilities will include:

• Develop and lead the Public Affairs plan for IKEA in Älmhult with areas such as infrastructure, energy, competence provision, societal issues, and place development.

• Maintain and build relations with public officials and key stakeholders, in close cooperation with other relevant IKEA units and companies, to bring knowledge of our business needs for IKEA in Älmhult. This includes for example to initiate and take lead in activities such as opinion building and relevant visits to IKEA in Älmhult.
• Support spokes persons in meeting and stakeholder dialougues as well as provide the business for IKEA in Älmhult/IKEA Älmhult AB with insights, intelligence and guidance in relation to the defined areas in the PA plan.
• Represent the IKEA brand externally through active discussions in relevant stakeholder forums and meetings, conferences and seminars to share the IKEA point of view on topics that advance the public affairs agenda.
• Create curiosity and trust for IKEA in Älmhult among external stakeholders such as decision makers, authorities, and other relevant partners and establish IKEA as a preferred discussion partner in business relevant topics. 
• Participate and contribute to relevant networks and forums both within IKEA and externally.​ 

Qualifications

As a Public Affairs Leader you are passionate about development of Älmhult and IKEA in Älmhult and its potential, especially to engage and attract the next generations of co-workers, inhabitants, visitors. You demonstrate a genuine interest and have broad experience in building relationships, partnerships, and networks with high energy and dedication and successful and achieved results based on set objectives and goals. You are an ambassador for IKEA values and IKEA culture and the IKEA brand. You have broad experience and knowledge about regulatory processes and relevant insights in key areas, e.g., infrastructure, energy, competence provision, societal issues, and place development.

• Experience in working with public affairs, regulatory affairs, and advocacy work in relevant organization(s).
• Strategic and analytical skills for turning intelligence and insights into tangible actions.
• Experience from external communications. 
• Experience working in leadership roles – either as business partner to leadership teams or leading relevant teams and/or topic areas in complex and changing organizations. 
• University degree from Business Administration, Public Affairs, Communication or equivalent. 
• Fluent in English and Swedish, both spoken and written.

Additional Information

Does this sound interesting?
We look forward to receiving your application – CV and letter of motivation – in English only latest by 5th of June, 2024. Kindly note that due to GDPR and Data Privacy, we do not accept any applications via email. 
This is a permanent position located in Älmhult, Sweden and you will report to the Society & Community Manager at IKEA Älmhult AB.

For questions about the position, please contact Hiring Manager, Mattias Lindqvist at [email protected]

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Recruiter Riyaz Inamdar at [email protected]