Head of Communications, Division Food & Pharma

Alfa Laval AB; Stockholms kommun; On-site; SEK 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Alfa Laval AB in Stockholm (Flemingsberg), Lund or Soborg offers a key leadership role as Head of Communications for the Food & Pharma Division. You will shape and execute the division's strategic communications agenda across internal and external audiences, driving reputation, engagement and transformation.

The role leads integrated divisional communications, PR, and internal engagement, partnering with Marketing, HR and business units in a dynamic international matrix environment.

Qualifications

• Strategic, commercially oriented communications leadership.
• Experience shaping integrated comms strategies for growth and transformation.
• Executive presence influencing senior stakeholders in international matrix organisations.
• Strong storytelling and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Global experience in relevant industries preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead divisional communications strategy aligned with priorities and transformation initiatives.
• Strengthen division positioning, visibility, and reputation with external and internal stakeholders.
• Advise VP Marketing and divisional leadership on communications planning and execution.
• Collaborate with group-wide communications to align conduct and approaches.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive presence

Storytelling

Stakeholder management

Global collaboration

Education

Degree in Communications, Marketing, PR, or related field

Job description

Every day, we get opportunities to make a positive impact - on our colleagues, partners, customers and society. Together, we're pioneering the solutions of the future and unlocking the full potential of precious resources. Trusted to act on initiative, we challenge conventional thinking to develop world-leading technologies that inspire progress in vital areas, including energy, food, water and shipping.

As we push forward, the innovative, open spirit that fuels our 140-year-old start-up culture and rapid growth also drives our personal growth. So, as we shape a more resourceful, less wasteful world, we build our careers too.

Head of Communications for the Food & Pharma Division at Alfa Laval

We are set on helping billions of people get the nutritious food, clean water and safe medicine they need. We pioneer technologies and solutions for life‑critical industries, including food, pharmaceutical, and water sectors, enabling our customers to produce more while using less water, energy, and valuable raw materials.

What will you do?

The Head of Communications in the Food and Pharma Division plays a central role in shaping and strengthening the division's positioning, reputation, and strategic communication agenda internally and externally. Reporting directly to the VP Marketing in the division, the role leads integrated divisional communications, PR, transformation communication, and internal engagement communication.

Working closely with Division Marketing, Business Units, Group Communication & Brand, Global Sales & Service, and HR, the role ensures consistent, strategic, and impactful communication that supports business priorities, organizational transformation, customer engagement, and long‑term growth ambitions.

This role is central to positioning our newly renamed division as a credible player in the food and pharma markets while supporting the organization through ongoing changes. The role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on execution in a dynamic international matrix environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and lead the divisional communications strategy aligned with business priorities, growth ambitions, and organizational transformation initiatives.
• Strengthen the division's positioning, visibility, and reputation across key external and internal stakeholder groups.
• Act as strategic communications advisor to the VP Marketing and divisional management team.
• Collaborate with the group‑wide communication community to develop and strengthen the communication conduct and approaches in the group.

Brand Positioning & Thought Leadership

• Support the development of differentiated divisional positioning, executive messaging, and thought leadership initiatives across priority industries and growth areas.
• Ensure consistent and impactful messaging across divisional communication channels, campaigns, launches, and external events.
• Collaborate closely with Strategic Insight & Industry Marketing, BU Marketing, and digital marketing functions to align communications with industry strategies and commercial priorities.

Public Relations & External Communications

• Lead divisional trade media relations, PR activities, external communication initiatives, and stakeholder engagement.
• Build and maintain relationships with trade media, industry influencers, agencies, and external partners.
• Support divisional visibility through strategic storytelling, external positioning, and coordinated communication initiatives.

Internal & Change Communications

• Oversee divisional internal communication initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, alignment, and understanding of business priorities and transformation initiatives.
• Support organizational changes, strategic initiatives, and leadership communication through structured and transparent communication approaches.
• Partner closely with HR and leadership teams to strengthen communication effectiveness and organizational alignment.

Crisis & Executive Communications

• Lead divisional crisis communication preparedness and communication frameworks in alignment with Alfa Laval corporate guidelines and crisis management setup.
• Support executive communication initiatives, leadership messaging, presentations, and key communication events.
• Ensure communication governance and escalation processes are followed when required.

Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Lead and develop an internal communications manager, as well as external agency relationships.
• Manage communication budgets, external vendors, and communication planning processes.
• Monitor communication effectiveness and continuously improve based on analytics, stakeholder feedback, and business priorities.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Strategic and commercially oriented communications leader with strong business understanding.
• Proven experience developing integrated communication strategies that support business growth, positioning, and organizational transformation.
• Executive presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders in international matrix organizations.
• Excellent storytelling, messaging, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Global experience in food, pharma, process technology, or related industries preferred.
• Proven strong collaborative skills from working in a multidimensional matrix organization.

Qualifications

• Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Business, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in corporate communications, PR, brand or related areas.
• Demonstrated success in a global matrix organization.
• Experience supporting organizational transformation and change communication initiatives.
• Experience managing teams, agencies, communication budgets, and cross‑functional communication programs.
• Experience in crisis communication and executive communications.

This position is based at our Stockholm (Flemingsberg), Lund or Soborg offices. The role requires regular international travel.