Register Your Interest - Sustainability Placement 2027

Unilever; Kingston upon Thames; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

End of placement bonus

Subsidised gym memberships

Discounted staff shop

Hybrid working environment

28 days holiday pro rata

Future Careers Development Teams

Dedicated buddy & line manager support

Job summary

Unilever is offering a 12‑month Sustainability Placement based in Kingston upon Thames with hybrid working. You’ll support global sustainability strategy, governance and reporting while gaining cross‑functional exposure across the business and external stakeholders.

You’ll analyse policy trends, contribute to strategic initiatives and assist with data‑driven insights, helping shape sustainable growth across markets and functions.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Curiosity about sustainability, business strategy, policy and societal trends.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to analyse information and identify meaningful insights.
• Confidence working both independently and as part of a team.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn in a fast‑paced environment.
• Taking initiative and proactively identifying opportunities and solutions.

Responsibilities

• Gathering and analysing insight from external developments, policy changes, industry trends and stakeholder discussions to inform strategic decision making.
• Supporting the development and implementation of sustainability strategies, programmes and governance processes.
• Contributing to advocacy initiatives, partnerships and stakeholder engagement activities that help create the conditions for sustainable business growth.
• Supporting senior leaders with briefing materials, presentations, events and external engagements.
• Assisting with sustainability reporting, performance tracking and disclosure requirements.
• Working with data, insights and AI‑enabled tools to help improve decision‑making and performance measurement.
• Creating clear, compelling content for internal and external audiences, including reports, articles and presentations.
• Supporting major global moments and events, such as Climate Week, COP, the World Economic Forum and the United Nations General Assembly.
• Collaborating with teams across functions, Business Groups and markets to support the delivery of sustainability priorities.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Sustainability curiosity

Organisational skills

Data analysis

Independence & teamwork

Adaptability

Initiative

Microsoft 365

Collaborative mindset

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

THE ROLE

A placement in Sustainability puts you at the heart of helping shape the long-term success of Unilever's business and the positive impact we create for people and the planet.

Global Sustainability is Unilever's sustainability strategy and delivery engine. It connects long-term ambition, external influence, enterprise governance, performance management and data-driven insight, helping mobilise the entire business to deliver against our goals.

As a Sustainability IP, you'll gain first-hand experience of how sustainability is embedded into business strategy, decision-making and growth. You'll work on some of the most important challenges and opportunities facing business today, helping to shape sustainability strategy, influence external stakeholders, drive business delivery and measure impact.

You will work closely with colleagues across Sustainability, Communications and Corporate Affairs, as well as teams across Business Groups, Supply Chain, Procurement, R&D, Legal, Finance and other functions. This unique cross‑functional exposure will help you understand how sustainability is integrated across a global business.

WHERE COULD YOUR PLACEMENT TAKE YOU?

One of the unique aspects of this placement is the breadth of opportunities available across Sustainability.

You could support teams setting sustainability strategy and governance, helping shape the long-term direction of the business and ensuring sustainability priorities are embedded across markets, Business Groups and functions.

You may work with colleagues building the external conditions for success through advocacy, partnerships and stakeholder engagement, supporting Unilever's contribution to major societal and environmental challenges. Alternatively, you could focus on performance, reporting and insight, helping the business track progress, generate data‑driven recommendations and communicate impact to internal and external stakeholders.

Depending on your placement, you may contribute to a range of sustainability priorities, including Climate, Nature, Plastics, Social Sustainability and Human Rights, Sustainability Strategy and Governance, Advocacy and Partnerships, Sustainability Performance and Reporting, or Data, Insights and Measurement.

This means no two placements are the same. Whether you're helping shape strategy, analysing data, engaging stakeholders, contributing to reporting, supporting global advocacy programmes or delivering major milestones such as Climate Week, COP, the World Economic Forum or the United Nations General Assembly, you'll gain first‑hand experience of how sustainability drives long‑term business performance, resilience and growth.

WHAT COULD YOUR DAY-TO-DAY ROLE INCLUDE?

• Gathering and analysing insight from external developments, policy changes, industry trends and stakeholder discussions to inform strategic decision making
• Supporting the development and implementation of sustainability strategies, programmes and governance processes
• Contributing to advocacy initiatives, partnerships and stakeholder engagement activities that help create the conditions for sustainable business growth
• Supporting senior leaders with briefing materials, presentations, events and external engagements
• Assisting with sustainability reporting, performance tracking and disclosure requirements
• Working with data, insights and AI‑enabled tools to help improve decision‑making and performance measurement
• Creating clear, compelling content for internal and external audiences, including reports, articles and presentations
• Supporting major global moments and events, such as Climate Week, COP, the World Economic Forum and the United Nations General Assembly
• Collaborating with teams across functions, Business Groups and markets to support the delivery of sustainability priorities

WHAT DO WE LOOK FOR?

We're looking for curious, proactive and collaborative individuals who are passionate about the role business can play in addressing social and environmental challenges.

You’ll enjoy solving complex problems, working with data and insights, analysing emerging trends and translating information into clear recommendations and communications. You’ll be comfortable working across multiple topics and stakeholders, bringing fresh thinking and a willingness to learn.

With a strong performance culture, challenging goals and continuous feedback, we’ll help you achieve your potential in an inclusive environment. You’ll gain exposure to real business challenges where your energy, ideas and perspective can make a genuine impact.

No specific degree subject is required, although studies in Sustainability, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Politics, International Relations, Economics, Business, Social Sciences, Data Analytics or Communications may be beneficial.

SKILLS REQUIRED INCLUDE

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to build positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Curiosity about sustainability, business strategy, policy and societal trends
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to analyse information and identify meaningful insights
• Confidence working both independently and as part of a team
• Adaptability and willingness to learn in a fast‑paced environment
• Taking initiative and proactively identifying opportunities and solutionsMicrosoft 365 skills (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams)
• An open‑minded, curious and collaborative approach

Please note that at Unilever we provide extensive development opportunities. While these skills are helpful at the start of the placement, you’ll continue to develop them throughout your 12‑month programme.

• Location: Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days required weekly either at Kingston or London Blackfriars office – dependant on where you are based.
• Applications open: Monday 12 October 2026
• Applications close: This is a rolling deadline.

Stage 1 – Online Application & IP Simulation

Complete an online application form before completing our interactive IP simulation, designed to give you insight into our organisation and the programme you’re applying for. This will prepare you for a series of situational judgement questions based on realistic business scenarios.

Stage 2 – Online Assessments.

Complete a numerical reasoning assessment, an online test that measures your ability to interpret and draw conclusions from numerical data and verbal Reasoning assessment an online test that measures your ability to understand and evaluate written information.

Stage 3 – 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

Stage 4 – Pre‑Screening Interview

Attend a virtual pre‑screening interview with a member of our recruitment team.

Stage 5 – In‑Person Discovery Centre

Attend an in‑person discovery centre alongside fellow candidates. This will give you the opportunity to visit a Unilever office, meet and interview with business leaders, and work on function‑related business challenges.

What Can Unilever offer YOU?

• A competitive Salary of £27,898.00
• End of Placement Bonus
• Subsidised Gym Memberships - availability varies by site
• Discounted Staff Shop
• Opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible 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.
• Opportunity to join one of our Future Careers Development Teams such as Outreach, Digi, Community & Wellbeing and many more! By joining a team, you can grow business‑critical skills, develop Unilever Behaviours, and make a meaningful contribution to Future Careers.
• 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.

To find out more about Future Careers at Unilever UK, check out our Instagram page!

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 wellbeing 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.

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

If you have any questions about your application, require reasonable adjustments to complete any part of the application process or wish to discuss any mitigating circumstances, please contact the Talent Acquisition team using the following details. If adjustments are required, the team will reach out to discuss available accessibility options. E.g., If required extending time spent in any ‘timebound’ assessments/interviews.

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

At Unilever, we provide extensive development opportunities. While these skills are helpful at the start of the placement, you’ll continue to develop them throughout your 12‑month programme.

About Unilever

We are Unilever. A Better business. A better world. A better you. We are 128,000 people worldwide, with many recognisable brands in over 190 countries. We are a global company with the purpose of ‘Brightening everyday life for all’.

This score is based on honest feedback written by students who’ve worked at Unilever.

Job Type: Placement (10 Months+)

Locations: Kingston upon Thames

Job Roles: Sustainability