Exhibition Manager

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, Museum of Furniture Studies (Möbeldesignmuseum) and IKEA Hotell is on an exciting journey to make Älmhult an even better place for the future generations. 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 and design yesterday, today, and tomorrow. 

We want to build and strengthen the IKEA brand, and lead and develop Älmhult to become a well-known design destination. Do you want to be part of our exciting journey?

Have a look at our websites IKEA Museum, Museum of Furniture Studies (Möbeldesignmuseum),  IKEA Hotell and Aktivitetshuset Älmhult to find out more about us!

As the Exhibition Manager you will strategically lead, manage, develop and implement the Exhibition direction in accordance with the business unit’s overall assignment, IKEA Älmhult AB’s future direction and business plan to strengthen the IKEA Brand.

You will secure that the exhibition direction (and connected plans) delivers towards:

• Offer high quality exhibition experiences that attract and converts set target audiences
• Interact with people in the connected of life at home, home furnishing and design, design history and learning about design
• Connect with people by inviting people behind the scenes of IKEA and the Museum of Furniture Studies, giving a more intimate experience of the brand/s.
• Be an inspiring and creative meeting place where people of all ages can learn, meet and interact

In this role, you will lead and develop the Exhibition team, creating the right conditions for people to perform, deliver and grow. You will drive the development and continuous improvement of our Exhibition Direction for both IKEA Museum and the Museum of Furniture Studies, ensuring that creativity and artistic quality remain at the heart of establishing Älmhult as a well-known design destination.

You will actively involve and align with key stakeholders - internally across IKEA’s networks and externally within the wider creative community - to secure collaboration and shared direction. With a strategic mindset, you are responsible for ensuring that our exhibition plans align with set strategies and support our visitation and conversion goals.

You will also safeguard our visual and brand integrity, ensuring that the IKEA visual identity, trademarks and tone of voice are present and upheld across all partners and for both brands.

Above all, you act as a role model, leading by example and bringing the IKEA culture and values to life in everything you do.

We are looking for you who are a creative and courageous leader who can turn bold ideas into meaningful experiences. You bring deep experience in leading creative processes from idea to implementation, and you have proven success guiding senior teams in the field of exhibition design toward high artistic results.

You thrive in change and have the ability to lead through the unknown, inspiring enthusiasm, co-creation and growth of IKEA culture. You build trustful relationships across all levels, are willing to learn from others, and have experience of leading diverse groups.

With a broad network in the creative field - museums, exhibitions, design and home furnishing - you bring new perspectives and collaborations. You are driven by improving and simplifying ways of working, guided by IKEA values, and you communicate in a clear and inspiring way that brings people together. As we are an international company, we expect you to be fluent in English, both spoken and written.

A strong passion for exhibition design/experience creation motivates you to help us build a vibrant design destination in Älmhult. You love collaborating across functions and are committed to living our IKEA culture and supporting people’s development.

For internal candidates, it is a merit to have recent, in-depth understanding of the IKEA business across the value chain, preferably from a managerial role.

Want to join us on this exciting adventure? We’re super excited to see your application! If you don't meet all the requirements listed but feel you could be a good fit, please apply anyway. We value diverse perspectives and lived experience.

Please send your CV and letter of motivation – in English – by latest 9th of December. 

Remember, due to GDPR and Data Privacy, we can't accept applications via email.

This position is a permanent, full-time assignment (40h/week), located in Älmhult, Sweden and you will report to the Destination & Museum Manager at IKEA Älmhult AB. 
Please note that a relocation package is not offered for this position.

For questions about the position, please contact Destination & Museum Manager, Pär Gustafsson, paer.gustafsson@inter.ikea.com

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact People & Culture Leader, Isabella Carlsson, Isabella.carlsson4@inter.ikea.com