Head of Digital | Retail | IKEA RSO Jebel Ali

Job Requisition ID: 174164 

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United A”rab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organisation to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview Of The Role:
The role of Head of Digital is to lead IKEA's efforts in making their digital platforms more accessible and engaging. This involves managing digital channel development to enhance customer interaction and loyalty, developing strategic business plans, leading a high-performing digital team, and driving innovative solutions. The Regional Digital Manager is also responsible for financial planning related to digital initiatives and ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of digital investments. The role demands strong leadership abilities, extensive digital knowledge, and the capability to work collaboratively across different functions and regions to create a cohesive digital strategy.

What You Will Do:

Digital Channel Management

• Lead the development of Regional Digital channels across UAE, Qatar, Egypt, and Oman.
• Manage and optimize digital touchpoints to connect commercial and inspirational content, enhancing user experience and customer satisfaction.
• Plan and execute Ecommerce campaigns to engage with potential and existing customers, aiming to increase visitations and lead generation.
• Develop and integrate digital channels to provide a consistent multichannel shopping experience.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of organic and paid search strategies.
• Continuously monitor and improve the digital customer experience through research and insights.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, develop, and manage a high-performing team to support multichannel transformation.
• Create competence development plans for the organization and direct reports.
• Promote a culture aligned with IKEA's values and foster teamwork in fast-paced environments.

Strategic Planning and Innovation

• Lead the Regional Business Plan process for digital channels, ensuring alignment with broader regional objectives.
• Drive digital innovation and collaborate across the business to generate new solutions for products, services, and processes.
• Measure ROI on digital products and transformation initiatives to ensure effectiveness.

Financial Management and Reporting

• Prepare and manage financial plans and digital investments for the markets.
• Oversee the Ecommerce P&L and budget, ensuring alignment with targets.
• Monitor site performance KPIs and provide data, insights, and analysis to stakeholders.

Required Skills To Be Successful:

• Certifications in Agile, Scrum, Change Management, or Data Analytics are a plus
• Expertise in digital technologies, including search, social, mobile, and Ecommerce platforms.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate.
• Proven ability in strategic planning and execution, with a focus on customer-centric approaches.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

What Qualifies You For The Role:

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields (Computer Science / Information Technology, Digital Business / Digital Transformation, Engineering or Business Administration or related fields with strong tech exposure)
• 10+ years of progressive experience in digital roles leading digital initiatives across multiple markets or business units
• Demonstrated track record of successfully driving large-scale digital change in complex, multi-market environments
• Solid understanding of modern digital technologies, architecture, and data analytics
• Experience managing digital initiatives across multiple markets with cultural sensitivity and scalability
• Consistently act as a role model of Al-Futtaim and IKEA values, prioritizing what is right for our people, customers, and the business

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Before you click “apply”: Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

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