Industrial Placement (IP) - Communications & Corporate Affairs

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care and Foods products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 3.4 billion consumers daily. Founded in Port Sunlight in 1929 by Lord Lever, Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, TRESemmé, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Hellman’s, Persil, Domestos, Marmite, Graze, Vaseline, Sure, Colman’s and Pot Noodle.   

Our goal is to deliver best-in-class performance with market making, unmissably superior brands. From our earliest days Unilever has been at the forefront of change always striving towards making a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is: Brightening everyday life for all.

*As we receive a high volume of applications, please make sure to read the job descriptions on our website carefully and apply for the ONE function you are most interested in. Only your first application will be considered*

What do we look for?

A proactive individual who is happy to take initiative and roll their sleeves up! Creative, detail-orientated, enthusiastic and a solid team player.

With a great performance culture, challenging goals and continuous feedback, we will help you in achieving your potential in an inclusive environment. You will thrive by gaining exposure to real business challenges where your energy and fresh thinking will have an impact. First-hand experience - it’s the fastest way to learn.

No specific subject degree is required but studying for a degree in Journalism, Broadcasting, Digital Media, Public Relations or Corporate and Crisis Communications would be beneficial.

The Role

A placement in the CCAS Function puts you at the heart of influencing for impact, creating the conditions for resilience & growth.

Our team is made up of three core teams: Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability. Applying here today will land you in the Communications and/or Corporate Affairs Teams.

The work we do across the function is organised around three focus areas, in this role you will contribute towards one and two:

1. Protect our license to operate and deliver growth & savings

2. Shape our reputation

3. Deliver our 15 sustainability goals across 4 pillars

From planning, delivering and communicating corporate strategy through to managing reputational issues and advocating for systemic change, everything we do drives towards strengthening trust in our brands, our company and our people. You’ll gain skills in campaigning, media relations, advocacy, partnerships, innovation, digital communications, research, content, writing and strategic issues management in a changeable, external facing environment, with a unique insight into agendas that cut across the whole business. 

What could your day-to-day role look like?

• Proactive storytelling and thought leadership, driven through a consistent narrative

• Effective management of threats to Unilever’s reputation 

• Managing the roll out of a global campaign to our employees

• Strategic policy interventions and commercialising the GAP (Growth Action Plan)

Some of our positions/teams you could be allocated to include:

• Corporate Affairs and Issues

• Sustainability Comms, Annual Reporting & Insights

• Media Relations

• Owned Content and Channels

Skills required include:

• Ability to work well in a team and build good working relationships

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Thrives in a changeable environment and operates with flexibility

• Team player who is willing to pitch in and help wherever necessary

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously

• Taking initiative and being proactive in identifying and solving problems

• Microsoft office skills (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint) 

Please note, at Unilever we have development programmes, the skills below are skills which would be good to have at the beginning however you will develop them over the course of the 12 months. 

Our application process involves:

Step 1: Online Application

Complete the online application form and tell us about your motivation for choosing Unilever and your selected programme. It is a simple and easy process!

Step 2: Online Assessment

If your online application is successful, you will be asked to complete some online assessments designed to look at different elements of your personality, motivations and cognitive ability.

Step 3: Digital Interview

If your online assessment is successful, you will be invited to complete a digital interview.

*Please note, we do not use AI as a screening tool in our recruitment process therefore, your digital interview submission will be reviewed by a real person*

Step 4: Virtual Discovery Centre

You will be invited to spend a virtual day in the life with us, immersing yourself in business challenges and an Interview.

What Can Unilever offer YOU?

• A competitive Salary of £26,107.25

• End of Placement Bonus

• Discounted Staff Shop

• Opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in an adaptable and hybrid working environment.

• 28 days (pro rata) of holiday inclusive of bank holidays. Once you have completed 12 worked weeks, under the Agency Workers Regulation your holiday entitlement will increase to 33 days inclusive of bank holidays, pro rata for the term of this placement.

At Unilever, diversity is about embracing differences, championing inclusion, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. Join our vibrant and inclusive workplace that champions diversity and inclusion.

We give full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

We are a key advocate of well-being and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes, and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.

What support will you receive?

• A dedicated buddy to help you onboard and learn about the business.

• An experienced Line Manager to develop your knowledge and understanding across the year.

• Connections with the Graduates (UFLPs) who can share helpful tips on how to be successful at Unilever.

Do you require any adjustments in the application or assessment process?

If you do need any adjustments, please inform the Talent Acquisition team who will contact you to discuss the accessibility options available. E.g., If required extending time spent in any ‘timebound’ assessments/interviews.

*We also provide accessibility options such as magnifying glass, decrease/increase the font size, change font & colour, screen ruler, and screen mask for everyone who would require them.

Location:

Hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days required weekly either at the Kingston or the London Blackfriars office – depending on where you are based.

Discovery Centres:

Friday 5th December to Thursday 11th December

Closing date: 

This is a rolling deadline, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment in case applications close early.

If you have any questions about your application or if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to complete any part of the application process, please contact the Future Careers Team. If you would like to discuss any mitigating circumstances before making an application, please also contact the team using the following contact details: 

Recruitment Fraud

Cybercriminals advertise fake job adverts with prestigious employers as a way of stealing information or even defrauding individuals out of money. In the most sophisticated cases, they will set up fake websites, which have a similar address to companies like Unilever. They even conduct fake telephone interviews and then offer candidates a role with the proviso they pay a fee for background checks or to cover work visa costs. These types of attacks are becoming more common as more people are looking for employment in the economic climate.

How is Unilever tackling this?

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scans for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and acts to close them down.

What can I do?

If you become aware of potential recruitment fraud, spot fake Unilever recruitment adverts or fake LinkedIn profiles, report them via Una Live Chat.

Unilever does not accept responsibility or liability for any candidates who are financially impacted by recruitment fraud. Your vigilance is key!