Regional Home Furnishing Direction Leader | Retail | IKEA RSO Jebel Ali

Job Requisition ID: 181057 

About Al-Futtaim
Established in the 1930s, Al-Futtaim is one of the most diversified and progressive privately held regional businesses, headquartered in Dubai. Operating across more than 20 countries, the Group spans automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and health. With more than 40,000 employees, Al-Futtaim represents over 200 of the world’s most recognised brands, including Toyota, Lexus, IKEA, ACE and Marks & Spencer. Driven by its purpose to enrich lives and elevate communities, Al-Futtaim focuses on digital innovation, AI, sustainable growth and strategic partnerships, creating long-term value for customers, communities and partners while building a responsible legacy for future generations.

Overview Of The Role:

The Regional Home furnishing & Interior Design Leader is a key figure in positioning IKEA as a leader in life at home within the market. The role demands leading local and regional adaptation of global solutions, enhancing customer experience through tailored home furnishing solutions, and collaborating across multiple departments to ensure the brand's distinct identity is preserved in range presentation and store individuality. Success is measured by increased sales, customer satisfaction, and long-term profitability, while also serving as a mentor to interior design teams across stores.

What You Will Do:

Regional Responsibilities

• Actively support the GM Marketing and Com & In manager in implementing the country business plan and the country Com & In action plan with interior design initiatives that are focused on the business and support long-term profitability.
• Support GM Marketing & Com & In manager in leading the home furnishing movement and strengthening the IKEA brand through home furnishing expertise.
• Develop and adapt interior design solutions for market and unit in line with local commercial priorities.
• Tailor relevant and affordable interior design solutions by creating regional guidelines and leading development.
• Deliver on business plan initiatives regarding the home furnishing direction based on local customer life at home.
• Contribute to creating market-specific content across different channels (e.g., social media, commercial) on the brief from Communication & Marketing Commercial Calendar.
• Analyze IKEA Brand Capital, Home Visits insights and other visitor feedback to improve the experience of our visitors and convert them into satisfied customers.
• Collaborate with Marketing team in omnichannel campaigns by creating relevant home furnishing solutions that reflect demographics, living conditions, and visitor needs and dreams.

Store Responsibilities

• Support stores to ensure the uniqueness of the IKEA Brand identity in range presentation and home furnishing solutions.
• Take ownership for how we are working with interior design and support unique brand identity in stores.
• Act as an expert and mentor in store projects based on regional directions.
• Be involved in decisions about home furnishing direction in store layouts and specific store media like room settings, homes, vignettes, and sales support areas.

Coaching Responsibilities

• Coach, support, and mentor Interior Designers in the Communication & Interior Design department and Interior Design service in IKEA stores.
• Share knowledge and tailor global documents into local relevant needs for training and developing co-workers in IKEA stores.
• Encourage Store Interior Design managers and co-workers to improve their knowledge about people’s life at home and translate into relevant, functional, commercial home furnishing solutions.
• Influence, inspire and challenge interior design co-workers to strengthen the uniqueness of the IKEA identity in home furnishing solutions.
• Prioritize workload effectively to be able to work in a challenging environment.

Project Responsibilities

• Support and collaborate with Store development/Expansion Interior designers and Assistant Com & In manager in regional projects.
• Involvement in Commercial planning, build-up, and opening phases.
• Support with improving current ways of working and business practices.

Required Skills To Be Successful:

• Strong understanding of customer buying behavior and decision-making processes.
• Knowledge of trends influencing home furnishing and retail design.
• Ability to integrate the commercial calendar into communication and interior design strategies.
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills with strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

What Qualifies You For The Role:

• High School Credential in Architecture, Interior design or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of experience in a similar role, preferably with knowledge of the IKEA Concept, brand objectives, values, and vision.
• In-depth understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Communication & Interior Design department.
• Experience in leading and influencing co-workers, with the ability to take a holistic view of a global organization and identify business opportunities.

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