Director External Affairs

UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR Director External Affairs

ABOUT ICE CREAM

We spark moments of happiness for people and within the communities where we operate. As ice cream makers, we are serious about happiness. As the largest ice cream company in the world, we have over 100 years of experience in delivering smiles, and we plan to continue this for many more years to come, with our people and planet first.

We have 35 brands, including 3 one billion Euro brands (Magnum, Wall’s, Ben & Jerry’s), in over 60 countries. All driven to spread happiness through indulgent yet responsibly made and marketed products. We have a well-developed strategy to deliver growth and value creation which is clear on where to play and how to win.

INTRODUCTION

We are setting up a global Communications and ESG leadership team, in which this role sits. This role will report into the VP Communications & Corporate Affairs and ESG and will work closely with the Business Unit Europe UKI ANZ, where there is a new Business Unit General Manager in place since February 2024. This role is focused on global and Europe/UKI/ANZ, with a clear need to help accelerate our growth and unlock the full potential of the Business Unit, mostly external. If this sounds like a mission you’d love to be part of, please read on. 😊

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE?

This role business partners the BU Europe and sits within the Global Ice Cream Communications & Corporate Affairs team. Main responsibilities are:

• Define and lead local delivery of the Ice Cream C&CA strategy in the BU Europe, in support of the Ice Cream local vision, strategy and annual priorities and in alignment and support of the global C&CA strategy.
• Shape Ice Cream’s reputation in the BU and protect the reputation externally, in support of Unilever’s corporate reputation and aligned to the Ice Cream narrative.
• Focus on external communications, including government relations in Europe, UKI and ANZ (carbon/green deal, plastics, Ultra Processed Foods, Sugar).
• Lead issues management for Ice Cream in the BU and globally.
• Business partner and act as a trusted advisor to Ice Cream BU leadership team on 360° communications & engagement, and to Ice Cream brand teams on reputation matters.
• Lead external affairs (public affairs) in the BU. Organize engagement moments & events as required.
• Lead an Ice Cream BU C&CA team as an effective leader, line manager, mentor, and coach (2-5 direct reports in the BU).
• Business partner the BU GM and consistently support on strategic sustainability and communications topics.
• Lead and implement the sustainability work in the BU, aligned with the global strategy. With a focus on plastics and carbon (carbon efficiency/grid energy).
• Work on specific advocacy and targeted external outreach (social media, media and external speaking opportunities) regarding the sustainability focus areas in the BU.
• Drive Ice Cream’s leadership communications & engagement internally; building employee engagement around the BU’s vision and strategy, inspiring performance and commitment towards delivering strategy into action at all levels.
• Operate cross-functionally to ensure that communications are integrated, coordinated and managed across the business.
• Collaborate effectively and productively with colleagues from across the business.

EXPERIENCE YOU SHOULD HAVE/THE QUALITIES WE LOOK FOR

Experiences & Qualifications

• 10+ years of rounded corporate affairs and communications experience.
• Successful track record in C-Suite business partnering and Leadership Team experience.
• Experience in managing large media (platforms), internationally.
• Track record of delivering impactful and integrated (external) communications campaigns.
• Experience leading advocacy programs and execution in markets/regions.
• Sustainability catalyst and owner; knowledgeable and able to advise at the intersection of both sustainability & public/corporate affairs.
• Experienced in issues management.
• Strong judgment, experience and management on reputation matters.
• Digital and technology savvy and minded; proactively innovates and spots opportunities.
• Agile & organized; able to manage multiple tasks at once, balancing long-term strategic planning, and short-term changing priorities.
• Confidence, drive and initiative: self-starter who can work independently and deliver in fast-paced environment.
• Line management experience, leading a team, budget management, preferably gained in a matrix, international organization.
• Food, Ice Cream or Snacking industry experience is preferred.
• Excellent communications skills including adaptable writing skills; experience in writing speeches, narratives, strategic briefings for senior management.
• Fluent in English.

Leadership

• You are a Leader of Change. People look to you to provide safety in a storm, and you also appropriately challenge to get even better results. You role model resilience and care. You navigate these uncertain times by flexing plans and your leadership style, always with authenticity.
• You deliver to the highest standards. You are resilient and lead others to deliver with passion through uncertainty and create opportunities through the core and beyond. You are able to flex your style and your plans to guide others through challenging times.

WHAT DOES UNILEVER OFFER/WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme.
• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.
• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.
• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks, and our transgender policy.
• Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40%-60% in the office or at customers, suppliers, or partners to connect and collaborate. For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well-equipped. When at the office, you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products.
• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products.
• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).
• Home work allowance
• Company laptop and mobile phone
• Green Mobility Policy.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against.

By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally to men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.