Community Engagement Specialist

IKEA; Bengaluru; Hybrid; INR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

IKEA Bengaluru seeks a Community Engagement Specialist to integrate IKEA into local communities and co-create meaningful experiences. You will build strong relationships with local groups, NGOs and authorities, acting as a trusted ambassador for IKEA values while driving sustainability initiatives in the city.

You will collaborate with internal teams to co-create engaging community-driven activities that fit the local context and contribute to long-term business growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously develop the community engagement plan for IKEA aligned with IKEA values and local needs.
• Act as a brand ambassador by understanding local store perception and shaping marketing and engagement initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with local communities, NGOs, start-ups and authorities to co-create community-driven activities.
• Collaborate with IKEA teams to ensure strong integration of community work.
• Integrate community activities into the commercial calendar to make stores a part of everyday local life.
• Co-create and manage online and offline community spaces to nurture local talent and partnerships.
• Engage communities in sustainability and social responsibility initiatives, promoting a people- and planet-positive agenda.
• Work with FFPTs to identify local needs, risks and opportunities and ensure leadership awareness.
• Lead on-ground engagement with individuals, communities and organisations to support business objectives and partnerships.
• Drive promotion of events across digital channels, social media, PR and ATL support.
• Contribute to additional income streams and partnerships that enhance customer experience while optimizing marketing costs.

Job description

Who you are

As a Community Engagement Specialist, you play a key role in integrating IKEA into local communities. You build strong emotional connections with customers and community members, co-create meaningful experiences, and help position IKEA as a trusted, welcoming and sustainable destination that people love to visit again and again.

You are a people-centric professional who truly believes in the power of community. You are passionate about sustainability, social responsibility and creating positive impact for both people and the planet. You enjoy working collaboratively, bringing diverse groups together, and turning ideas into engaging experiences.

You have a natural ability to build relationships and inspire others. You are curious about local cultures, customer behaviours and community needs, and you use these insights to create relevant, authentic engagement initiatives. You are comfortable working with multiple stakeholders from local authorities and NGOs to start-ups, partners and internal IKEA teams and you act as a strong ambassador of IKEA values in everything you do.

You are motivated by being part of something bigger, where your work contributes to long-term business growth while making everyday life better for the many people.

Your responsibilities

• Lead, implement and continuously develop the community engagement plan for IKEA, including activities, strategies and key talking points aligned with IKEA values and brand positioning.
• Act as a brand ambassador by understanding how the IKEA stores are perceived locally and using these insights to shape marketing and engagement initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with key local communities, interest groups, NGOs, start-ups and local authorities to co-create meaningful community-driven activities.
• Collaborate closely with IKEA teams to ensure strong integration.
• Integrate community and city-level activities into the commercial calendar, ensuring IKEA Stores becomes an active part of everyday local life.
• Co-create and manage community spaces (online and offline) that encourage interaction, nurture local talent, support start-ups and showcase the uniqueness of IKEA.
• Engage community members in sustainability and social responsibility initiatives, promoting a people- and planet-positive agenda.
• Work closely with internal teams and FFPTs to identify local community needs, risks and opportunities, and ensure leadership awareness and mitigation plans.
• Lead on-ground engagement with individuals, communities, governments and organisations to support business objectives and long-term partnerships.
• Drive promotion of events and initiatives across all communication channels, including digital platforms, social media, PR and ATL support.
• Contribute to additional income streams, co-investment opportunities and partnerships that enhance customer experience while optimising marketing costs.

Together as a team

Our team is the voice of IKEA. We use words, pictures and videos to tell the story about IKEA, to build our brand and inspire people with our offer. We bounce ideas back and forth, we challenge each other and we are crazy passionate about communication. Of course we’re also the ones who make sure to keep all our fellow co-workers informed, engaged and connected in a constantly changing business environment.

We are an equal opportunity employer!!

At IKEA, we value diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are committed to providing coworkers with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We encourage individualism and invite you to come join our team and be yourself with us! We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristic protected by law. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need.