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Register your interest - Sustainability Industrial Placement (IP) - UK & Ireland
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Register your interest - Sustainability Industrial Placement (IP) - UK & Ireland
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, 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, Hellman’s, Persil, Domestos, Marmite, Vaseline, Sure, Knorr, 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 ensure you carefully read job descriptions on our website and apply only for the ONE function you are most interested in. Only the first application for each candidate will be considered.
The Role: Sustainability IP
A placement in Sustainability puts you at the heart of shaping Unilever’s reputation as the leader in sustainable business. Your core responsibilities will include strategy execution, stakeholder management, advocacy, and managing high-impact initiatives for systemic change.
You’ll gain valuable skills in:
- Advocacy and stakeholder relationships
- Partnerships and innovative policy platforms
- Strategic issues management
- Content creation, research, and compelling written communications
This role offers externally facing exposure with agendas cutting across the entire business. You’ll work closely with Communications, Corporate Affairs, and other teams like Supply Chain, Business Groups, and Sustainability Columns.
The Sustainability Pillar
The function is divided into three pillars:
- Communications
- Corporate Affairs
- Sustainability
The Sustainability pillar is responsible for:
- Setting and leading the sustainability strategy
- Overseeing Global Advocacy, Partnerships, Platforms, and Stakeholder Relationships
- Leading cross-functional sustainability agendas across Unilever
Key Responsibilities
Depending on your/allocation, your day-to-day duties may include:
Shared Responsibilities (for all placements)
- Gather, analyse, and summarise insights from external events, policy changes, and reports relevant to the sustainability agenda—supporting decision-making for senior leaders.
- Assist in advocacy briefing for events that drive systems-driven change, helping to create an enabling environment for Unilever’s priorities.
- Develop reporting materials, write articles for Unilever’s U.com website, and distil complex topics into clear, compelling communications.
- Support during strategic high-visibility moments (e.g., World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, United Nations General Assembly, COP, etc.).
- Contribute to team management and organisation.
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Specialist Areas You May Support
You could be involved in one or more of these teams:
- Plastics Team
- Strategy & Governance
- Social & Human Rights
- Nature
- Climate
What We Look For
We seek a proactive, detail-oriented individual who takes initiative, fosters teamwork, and thrives in a dynamic environment.
A strong fit will demonstrate:
✔ Development culture: Unilever embraces continuous feedback and challenging goals while providing supportive mentorship. You’ll grow by tackling real business challenges, leveraging fresh perspectives to drive impact.
✔ Key skills (to be honed throughout the programme)
- Ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships
- Excelent verbal and written communication
- Flexibility and adaptability in high-pressure settings
- Initiative-driven problem-solving
- Multitasking with precision
- Microsoft Office proficiency (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint)
- Curiosity and creative thinking
Programme Details
Location & Working Arrangement
Hybrid: Minimum 3 days per week in the Kingston office.
Deadline (Rolling)
- Applications Open: Monday, 14 September 2026
- Since applications are rolling, submit early to avoid closure unexpected closures.
Start Date
June 2027
Application Process (Staged)
-
Stage 1: Online Application + IP Simulation Complete an application form, followed by an interactive IP simulation assessing Unilever’s values and addressing situational judgement questions from real-world business scenarios.
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Stage 2: Online Assessments
- Numerical reasoning test: Assesses data interpretation and conclusions.
- Verbal reasoning test: Evaluates text understanding and evaluation.
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Stage 3: Digital Interview A video-recorded interview for further evaluation.
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Stage 4: Virtual Discovery Centre Half-day session including immersive challenges and team interviews with fellow candidates.
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Stage 5: In-Person Discovery Centre Invitation to an on-site half-day event at a Unilever office for office tours, leadership interviews, and function-specific challenges.
What Unilever Offers You
💰 Salaries
- Base: £27,898.00 per year
- End-of-Placement Bonus provided
💪 Employee Wellbeing & Benefits
- Discounted subsidised gym membership (availability varies by location)
- Access to company discounted staff shop
- Hybrid working in a dynamic environment, including opportunities to work directly with brands.
- 28 days annual leave (pro rata) including bank holidays—raises to 33 days after 12 weeks worked (under the Agency Workers Regulations, inclusive of bank holidays).
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📈 Development & Growth
- Chance to join Future Careers Development Teams, including:
- Outreach
- Digitisation (Digi)
- Community & Wellbeing
- Grow business-critical skills, develop Unilever behaviors, and make a meaningful contribution.
👥 Mentorship & Onboarding
- A dedicated mentor/buddy to streamline transition and understanding of the business.
- Regular guidance from an experienced Line Manager throughout the year.
Diversity, Inclusion & Support
Unilever champions:
embracing differences, championing inclusion, and creating equal opportunities.* Join a workplace that champions diversity & inclusion for better business outcomes.*
We actively ensure full and fair consideration for applicants based on: Age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage/civil partnership, and pregnancy/maternity.
Our commitment to well-being and family-friendly policies includes:
- Hubs and programmes supporting employee growth.
- A collaborative, inclusive culture where every voice matters.
Buddy System: Each placement has a designated mentor to aid integration, while GBs (Graduates + Future Leaders) share guidance on success at Unilever.
Accessibility & Adjustments
If you require:
- Adjustments for interviews, assessments, or the application process due to a disability or mitigating circumstances.
- Reasonable assistance during accessibility-selection stages.
Contact the Talent Acquisition team for personalized support (e.g., extended time allocations in time-bound tests).
🔍 We provide:
- Adjustable font/magnifying options
- Hardware aids (e.g., screen ruler, screen mask)
- Flexibility in testing formats.
Beware of Recruitment Fraud
Warning: Scammers clone Unilever roles to exploit identities or money. Be mindful of:
🚨 Fake charities/visas adverts ganged to pay ‘background checks’ or ‘application fees’.
Our security protocols:
- Unilever’s Cyber team proactively monitors and removes fake recruitment sites impersonating Unilever.
⚠️ Red flags to check for:
- Applications for personal/credit card details (Unilever will never ask for fees).
- Exaggerated offers via unsecured channels.
- Suspicious emails/websites (verify through: unilevercareers.co.uk).
📦 What to report? If you suspect a fraudulent ad/LinkedIn scam, contact:
- UnaLive Chat or explore Unilever’s safeguards on their official careers site. Do not engage with unauthorized recruiters.
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