The world is changing and so is the IKEA business. Nevertheless, one thing remains forever the same ─ our vision to create a better everyday life for the many people.

We look for people with a vast experience in product, graphic, interior design or architecture and a solid track record leading creative processes and inspiring senior leaders, including working with cross-cultural content and specifics.

We offer a unique opportunity to develop a holistic view of the IKEA business. When you grow, IKEA grows too. Do you want to make a difference?

About Inter IKEA Systems and Core Business Franchise

Inter IKEA Systems B.V. is the Franchisor and the owner of the IKEA Concept, including the IKEA trademarks. In Core Business Franchise we are responsible for the IKEA strategic framework, keeping it together through an IKEA Concept which is updated, relevant, implemented and followed-up together with all IKEA trademark users.

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 assignment

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

In this assignment, together with your team and peers across the organisation, you secure the positioning of one strong and consistent IKEA identity, take lead in enabling a relevant and unique franchise offer across the total IKEA and contribute to protect what is IKEA unique today and in the future.

As Identity Leader, you will initiate and lead projects for the defined development areas within IKEA Identity. The development areas are based on ONE IKEA business plan and its defined priorities. You will also lead the work to secure strong brand recognition and a unique brand personality using the IKEA Democratic Design principles as the formula to test and develop new solutions.

The assignment ranges from supporting the development of the IKEA Brand from an emotional perspective in existing and new media to contributing to the development of common solutions within the area of IKEA identity and the creation of global learning solutions that enable people to work with the IKEA identity in new and existing markets.

You will not be alone! In close cooperation with our Range Identity leader and Marketing Communication Identity leader you will collaborate across Core Business Franchise as well as develop sustainable business relationships with other IKEA stakeholders such as Range and Supply and IKEA retailers.

To be successful, being a creative problem solver and getting things done comes easy. You have vast experience from the fields of product, graphic, interior design or architecture as well as strong communicative skills. You deliver on high expectations through collaborating and engaging people with different competences in a complex and fast paced environment and are as passionate as you are skilled in co-creating better ways forward.

With a strategic, creative mindset, used to work in a conceptual way, you have developed business successfully and new ideas come to you naturally! We count on your passion for how people live at home across the world and your experience of what makes life at home better.

As Identity Leader you will:

Lead and work closely together with peers across Core Business Franchise and IKEA to strengthen and contribute to a strong and relevant IKEA franchise offer. 

Initiate and lead projects for the defined development areas within IKEA Identity. The development areas are based on ONE IKEA business plan and its defined priorities.

Lead the work to secure strong brand recognition and a unique brand personality using the IKEA Democratic Design principles as the formula to test and develop new solutions.

Support the development of the IKEA Brand from an emotional perspective in existing and new media by contributing to the development of common solutions within the area of IKEA identity.

Contribute to the creation of a global learning offer/solutions, enabling people to work with the IKEA identity in new and existing markets.

Contribute to integrating sustainability in everything we do to enable, design and support IKEA to become circular.

Work closely together with peers across IKEA to enable a strong and relevant IKEA franchise offer.

About you

We will have a keen eye for your knowledge and experience on brand positioning, interior/graphic/product design and/or development and work in retail & business development. It is important that you have a good understanding of how global trends and developments can impact IKEA, especially in the areas of retail, consumer behaviour, digital technology, sustainability and life at home.

We expect you to have proven ability in leading creative processes and facilitation, making complex tasks and processes understood and actionable. You are recognised for well-developed strategic and analytical skills and a capability to navigate and lead self and others in a complex, unknown and fast-changing environment.

You also have a solid track record in building knowledge-sharing networks that enable co-creation and constant learning as well as building and sustaining trustful relationships with stakeholders, business partners and peers in global, multi-cultural environments. To make the most of this role, you need to rely on experience in leading other leaders and senior competences as well as developing new potentials.

If you are already an IKEA co-worker, we expect you to have a deep understanding of the IKEA vision, IKEA Concept, IKEA business idea, IKEA Direction and strategies and Democratic Design. You always stand for IKEA culture and values.

If you find meaning in creating a better everyday life for more of the many and are triggered by finding better ways as most things still remain to be done, send us your application by latest March 23rd 2020.

We will screen and interview candidates continuously as the applications come in.

A few more details for you

This position is full-time (40 hours per week) and is located in Delft, Netherlands. Strong verbal and written English language skills are a must. Travel is required.

Please send your application – CV and letter of motivation – in English and tell us why you would be a good fit for this role.