Vaseline Demand Creation Lead

Unilever; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consumer goods company is seeking a Demand Creation Lead for the Vaseline brand in Southern Africa. The role involves crafting and executing brand strategies, leading a dynamic team, and ensuring impactful marketing initiatives with a strong focus on social media engagement. Ideal candidates will possess strong leadership skills, a background in brand management, and a passion for the beauty industry. This is a full-time office-based position in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience in brand management and marketing.
• Deep understanding of social-first strategy.
• Strong financial acumen managing budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the demand creation strategy for the Vaseline brand.
• Execute social-first marketing plans aligned with brand strategy.
• Manage BMI spend for growth.
• Pioneer digital and e-commerce execution.

Skills

Team Leadership & Management

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Brand Management Leadership

Social First Marketing Expertise

Financial Management

Agency Management

Strategic Thinking & Vision

Product Understanding

Job description

Unilever is hiring for a Vaseline Demand Creation Lead Southern Africa

Function: Marketing

Reports to: Head of Demand Creation BWPC Southern Africa

Scope: Regional

Location: La Lucia; Katherine Street

Terms & Conditions: Full-Time; Permanent

About Unilever

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

Job Purpose

• This role leads the demand creation strategy for the Vaseline brand in Southern Africa, ensuring brand equity, growth and a social-first approach.
• The Lead is responsible for designing and executing a holistic brand plan, incorporating digital and social-first initiatives.
• Leadership includes integrated brand planning, marketing strategy development, portfolio management and multi‑year innovation to achieve ambitious business objectives.
• The Lead serves as the primary escalation point for all PR, community and reputation management issues related to the brand.
• Foster a strong brand identity, consistent messaging and champion a consumer‑centric, social‑first engagement strategy.

Responsibilities

• Plan, manage and optimise BMI spend for growth.
• Lead the execution of social‑first marketing plans, ensuring alignment with brand strategy and equity.
• Lead an integrated Demand Creation squad to deliver social‑first marketing initiatives, driving profitable growth, market share and brand power.
• Lead quarterly OKR planning and execution, delivering ambitious targets, tracking progress and holding teams accountable.
• Develop best‑in‑class brand experiences across all touchpoints, building brand connection, driving marketing objectives, JTBD and UBS.
• Pioneer digital and e‑commerce execution, collaborating with the squad and external agencies to deliver seamless consumer experiences.
• Act as the primary escalation point for PR and reputation management issues, developing and executing strategies to protect and enhance brand image.

What You Will Need to Succeed

• Team Leadership & Management – Proven ability to lead, inspire and develop high‑performing teams with a collaborative, accountable and results‑oriented culture.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration – Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams, external agencies and stakeholders.
• Brand Management Leadership – Proven experience in brand management, marketing or related field with a track record in developing and executing brand strategies.
• Social First Marketing Expertise – Deep understanding of social‑first strategy, tactics and best practices including content, influencer, community management and media.
• Financial Management – Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets, tracking performance and making data‑driven decisions.
• Agency Management – Proven ability to manage and collaborate with external agencies, including creative, media and digital agencies.
• Strategic Thinking & Vision – Ability to develop and articulate a clear brand vision and translate business objectives into actionable strategies.
• Passion for Beauty – Demonstrable passion for the beauty landscape and its products.
• Insight – Strong understanding of consumer behaviour, insights and market trends within the relevant industry.
• Product Understanding – Ability to translate deep product knowledge into compelling shopper journeys.
• Leadership – Inclusive motivator who balances challenge with support and coaching.
• Motivation and Accountability – Own personal results while energising others to deliver with passion.

Additional Desirable Experience

• E‑commerce Experience – Developing and executing e‑commerce strategies, managing online sales channels and optimising digital customer experience.
• Data Analytics Skills – Proficiency with data analytics tools to measure performance, derive insights and make data‑driven decisions.
• Crisis Communication & Issue Management – Anticipate, manage and mitigate reputational risks and handle sensitive media inquiries.

Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviours

• Focus on What Matters; Stay 3 steps Ahead; Care Deeply; Deliver with Excellence.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.

We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, you may be requested to provide supporting documents.

This is an office‑based role in Durban or Johannesburg and requires 100% of time attendance on site.

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. 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.