Head of Communications, Division Food & Pharma

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.

We are looking for a 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.

For more information, please contact 

Regina García Moguel, Talent Acquisition Partner, [email protected] 

Union information 

Axel Scharing, Akademikerna, [email protected] 

Anders Jansson, Unionen, [email protected] 

Kenneth Wideström, Ledarna, [email protected]

We review applications continually so please send in yours not later than July 31st, 2026. 

Please note that, in compliance with GDPR, we cannot accept applications submitted via email.  

We care about diversity, inclusion, and equity in our recruitment processes. We also believe behavioural traits can provide important insights into a candidate's fit to a role. To help us achieve this we apply Pymetrics assessments, and upon application you will be invited to play the assessment games.    

As part of Alfa Laval’s commitment to a safe and healthy workplace, alcohol and drug testing is applied during the preemployment process. As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure workplace, we conduct background checks on final candidates for this role.

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