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UK&IE Public Affairs Manager, 12 month maternity cover.

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  • London, London, City Of, United Kingdom
  • Marketing & Communication
  • Full time

Job Description

  • Job ID: 323282

  • Date posted: 30/12/2025



    • Join us as UK & Ireland Public Affairs Manager

    We’re looking for a Public Affairs manager to join our UK & Ireland Communication team for a one-year maternity cover. Reporting to the head of Public Affairs, you’ll help navigate policy, regulation, and parliamentary processes during a time of transformation for IKEA, retail, and business, in both the UK and in Ireland. You’ll also support our senior leaders, spokespeople, stores and units on national and local issues, ensuring IKEA’s voice is heard where it matters.

    Founded in Sweden in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA opened its first UK store nearly 40 years ago, in Warrington. With 21 large stores across the UK and Ireland today, and new exciting new formats and services, like Oxford Street, we have never been so busy, working hard to live up to our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many people. At IKEA, we are purpose-driven optimists who think outside of the (flatpack) box, and in public affairs, we expect no less. If this sounds like you, get in touch.


    WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE

    • Education level: University degree or equivalent in politics or a related field
    • Minimum of 5-8 years of Public Affairs, political, and/or related experience.
    • Expertise in using insights to formulate and leverage the Public Affairs agenda and develop strategies to drive the IKEA business and enable better business outcomes, today and tomorrow.
    • Knowledge of UK and Irish market policy and regulatory processes and institutions, with a well–developed external network
    • Effectively builds relationships within and across organisations, including influencing at senior levels, to help achieve business outcomes.


    Capabilities & Skills:

    • Skilled communicator and influencer with proven interpersonal and networking skills to lead strategic advocacy, communication, and stakeholder engagement by defining, planning, executing and follow-up to relevant stakeholders and influencers (such as governments, policy makers, trade bodies, and NGOs)
    • Demonstrated strategic development skills, and ability to link closely with the internal and external business reality.
    • Comfortable working in agile structures and cross-functional teams to lead change through fully integrated communication with the business goal and the key target audiences in focus.
    • Ability to understand the complexity of the IKEA business and the role of communication as an integrated part of the business.


    WHAT YOU WILL DO DAY TO DAY

    • Responsible for shaping and contributing to the development and delivery of the market Public Affairs strategy and agenda, aligning with global Public Affairs plans.
    • Help secure effective alignment of Public Affairs objectives to formulated business goals and stakeholder objectives for the market.
    • Apply effective stakeholder management to develop a deep understanding of stakeholder drivers to manage Public Affairs effectively in the market. Feed insights into strategy development process.
    • Provide advocacy and leadership on topics of strategically relevant positive societal impact across all departments in the market, engaging not only external, but also internal stakeholders.
    • Monitor and manage key regulatory and non-regulatory developments in the market, feeding back learnings into the strategy development process and other key functions, like Legal, Risk etc.
    • Lead and develop specific strategies for influencing market policy and regulation, impacting the IKEA market agenda. Help to create a positive policy and regulatory environment for a transforming and growing, people and planet positive IKEA business.
    • Contribute to the overall positioning movement in the market, integrating into communications department and contributing to relevant 360-degree campaigns.
    • Act as a strategic PA business partner for relevant internal stakeholders, functions, and departments.
    • Be a coach and sparring partner to the head of Public Affairs, Country Communications Manager, and senior leaders including members of the Country Management Team.
    • Represent IKEA in appropriate external and internal forums, conferences and meetings. so that people know what we care about and stand for.


    WE CARE FOR THE PEOPLE

    It takes the diversity of thought, background, and culture to make great ideas a reality. We welcome candidates from all walks of life, including those with disabilities and diverse social backgrounds, to join us, and feel valued in the workplace.


    WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

    • Starting Salary of £55,000 per annum.
    • Duration: 12 months maternity cover
    • Full-time: 39 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
    • Location: UK Service Office, Wembley, Hybrid working, 12 days’ workplace presence, of which 8 must be in Wembley, with the remaining 4 in an individual's nearest unit.


    RECRUITMENT PROCESS INFORMATION

    Let us know if you require any adjustments to be made during the interview process as soon as possible.

    • Please attach an updated CV and cover letter outlining your motivation for applying for the role, so we can get to know you better.
    • Application Closing Date: 16th January 2026
    • Interviews will begin to take place during the application phase.

    We understand not everyone will be successful, but we promise to keep you informed either way.

    If you have any questions regarding the recruitment experience, please contact Janice Chalkley, Janice.chalkley@ingka.ikea.com












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