Project Operations Manager

Want to be a part of making everyday life better?

The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people – and we’re always searching for new and better ways to do it. We gather insights about life at home, learning about the needs and dreams of people all over the world. 

Through creativity, IKEA marketing & Communication AB connects the heart of IKEA to the hearts and minds of the many people. We plan and produce marketing and communication that enables our retail markets to grow and to position IKEA as a purpose-led business and an expert in the life at home. We are 400 co-workers located in Älmhult – the heart of IKEA. Our strength is our 400+ talented co-workers: strategists, channel experts, developers, photographers, motion media producers, 3D artists, graphic designers, copywriters, interior designers, and many more competences. We are proud of our craftsmanship and ability to unleash creativity at scale.

We’re looking for our new Project Operations Manager, to lead and develop business and people together. Managing and developing project operations and leading a group of managers and leaders at IMC Studios related to project leading, production leading, allocation of resources, publishing, project coordination and project- portfolio & performance. All connected to a wide range of product- & range communication development projects and events for IKEA, all the way from ideation to delivery. We are on a journey to modernise our studio and better adapt to the context of creating and producing in an omnichannel landscape. As Project Operation Manager you will be part of the Studios Leadership team and put focus on initiatives and actions that will improve our content deliverables. You will collaborate across our organisation and be a key part of our teams from ideation through large-scale production by securing the development of global content in operations.

We’re looking for an experienced leader with a solid communication background as you’ll be expected to challenge current ways of working and take lead in continuous development.

As Project Operations Manager you will:

• Create and maintain a strong and value-driven team culture, where co-workers can thrive, perform and deliver. Be a source of inspiration; challenge and support, the project teams, to be in the forefront related to ways of working and methods that enable the success of IMC projects.
• Work strategically and proactively with IMC project portfolio securing operations and performance. Strive to challenge, spot potential improvements and set prerequisites to deliver high creative quality in time and at a low cost. Always enabling creative thinking and idea generation in a large-scale production environment.
• Ensure fast adaptation to new incoming projects with best possible performance from start to end by building bridges and maintaining a close dialogue across IKEA Marketing & Communication functions, and other stakeholders.
• Contribute in leading IMC Studios in close collaboration with IMC Studios Leadership team focusing on initiatives and actions that will improve quality at lower cost in both creation and production. Collaborate to spark an idea-driven culture that enables co-workers to explore, grow and reinvent creative production.
• Actively support the development of the IKEA Marketing & Communication business plan and action plans. Set and follow up goals that support growth and profitability.
• Contribute to the entire content production process, including, ideation, creation, production, follow-up, and optimization. Stay one step ahead when it comes to business needs and ensure better ways of working cross Studios. Challenge the usual way of doing things and spot potential improvements to ways of working, so the teams can perform at its best.
• Contribute to define future set up and mix of internal and external resources and develop and maintain a strong external network to secure freelance needs, related to competence needs of today and tomorrow.
• Secure a relevant competence development agenda for the different teams within Project Operations, to meet current and future business requirements and talent needs.
• Create pre-conditions for a trustful, inclusive, engaging and future-oriented learning environment that supports the co-worker’s continuous competence development, leadership capabilities and entrepreneurial spirit.

What you’ll need:

• Experience and passion about leading and developing people to perform at their best.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to lead, facilitate and explain with simplicity.
• A university degree in Marketing and Communications, or equivalent.
• 10+ years of experience in developing and producing global communication for large-scale businesses and brands. Leading both business and people.
• Experience from working in a high-volume production environment with tight deadlines including knowledge in project- and production management methods and tools. Deep knowledge from working with content in different channels and formats including motion media, 3D and events.
• Experience in leading managers and leaders who work close to high-volume projects, brand positioning communication projects and events.
• Strong stakeholder management and change management skills.
• Fundamental knowledge of process- and project steering, risk analysis, methods and scenario planning.
• Skilled in budget management and proactive performance follow up.
• Understanding of the everyday needs of the consumers and passion for home furnishing.
• Experience from working in a multicultural, creative and inclusive work environment.
• Good knowledge about the IKEA strategic landscape, IKEA concept, brand, and values.
• Ambassador of the IKEA values, living and sharing them.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with a bias for action. You love to work fast and make things happen.

Sound like a fit? Want to make the world a little better with us? Then we want to hear from you!

Additional information

Please send your application, in English, no later than 22nd of November 2024.

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.