European External Affairs Manager

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will consider candidates based in the set locations. If you are based outside of these locations and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but at this stage we will not take your application forward. We will only consider your application if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the set locations.

Who are we?

At Unilever, we share one simple purpose: Brighten Everyday Life for All. Through our powerhouse brands such as Dove, Axe and Knorr, we want to achieve our Growth Action Plan 2030 – and you can be part of it!

Business context and main purpose of the job:

Unilever is looking to recruit a European External Affairs Manager with a focus on our Home Care Business Group but also on some other cross-business topics. You will:

• Work closely with colleagues within the European and Global External Affairs team to help develop and deliver the European business and External Affairs priorities as well as driving our progressive agenda in Brussels. This includes delivering flawless issues management and outstanding thought leadership.

• Work with one business group (Home Care) and the European region through external affairs and advocacy interventions.

• Work on cross-cutting business group topics such as climate change, circular economy, green claims, sustainability reporting and others.

• Help to drive our progressive agenda in Brussels on Unilever’s agenda both in terms of driving growth and mitigating risks by creating the right regulatory environment to help land our Growth Action Plan 2030.

This will involve building/supporting multi-functional campaigns and advocacy strategies on topics covering detergents, biotechnology, chemicals amongst others. To do so, the European External Affairs Manager is required to have a good understanding of and experience with the EU Institutions and processes, knowledge of the EU chemicals legislation, and excellent advocacy and campaigning skills.

Main Accountabilities:

You will be working with the European External Affairs team to:

• Provide input, guidance and proactively draft and help shape positions/perceptions of external audiences as part of business strategy.

• Draft and implement communications and social media material, position papers and stakeholder outreach programmes.

• Represent Unilever in external contact building and networking with relevant European institutions including the European Parliament, European Commission and Council of Ministers.

• Represent Unilever in key European trade organisations.

• Build and maintain relationship with other key stakeholders such as NGOs, think tanks and academics.

• Act as a subject matter expert to the groups and Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability teams in the capitals to help support Member States with creating the right regulatory and legislative environment to help land our Growth Action Plan 2030.

Who are you?

Relevant Experience:

• 8-9 years’ experience in an external/public affairs role (in-house, consultancy, trade association) or relevant experience in one of the EU institutions.

• Experience in the home care sector and/or chemicals, circular economy. 

• Network of established European external affairs contacts with the European Institutions, NGOs, and industry stakeholders.

Key Skills:

• A team player with a global mindset who is willing to work across public affairs, advocacy and communications disciplines, geographies and functions.

• Ability to summarize how certain regulatory and reputational issues can impact the business and to help create unlocks.

• Ability to translate complex, technical topics into clear, easy-to-understand messages for a political audience.

• Have business acumen and understand how the business operates

• Understand and advise on how European External Affairs can help drive business priorities

• Stakeholder management and knowledge

• Strategic Issues Management expertise

• Lobbying and Advocacy campaigning

• Able to get to absorb information and come to the essence with novel point of views for the business

• Perfect command of written and spoken English. Any additional language is a strong asset with a preference to Dutch, German or French.

WHAT DOES UNILEVER OFFER?

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.  

• Home work allowance  

• Company laptop and mobile phone 

• Mobility Budget   

EXCITED ABOUT THE ROLE?

To apply, please send your CV and a motivation letter. Your application will be reviewed against our requirements, and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

We look forward to meeting you!

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.