Issues & Communications Assistant Manager
Company: Unilever
Location: 100VE, London
Job Purpose: The Corporate Affairs and Issues team is responsible for the effective management of short and long-term issues impacting Unilever’s reputation and business operations. This fast‑paced role sits at the nerve centre for managing issue flares, including NGO campaigns, scientific reports, policy and political developments, media queries, consumer issues, and social media campaigns impacting Unilever. We work with experts across the business to shape and protect Unilever’s reputation and ensure we respond to issues in line with our corporate values, commitments and positions.
Description: Based in London, this role reports to a Senior Issues Communications Manager and involves day‑to‑day management of Unilever’s global issues operations, ensuring the smooth running of issue management tools and processes. The assistant manager will support the management of a broad range of reputational issues through stakeholder engagement, media relations and reactive issue handling.
Responsibilities
* Support senior managers in managing issue flares and developing strategies and responses to media and stakeholder enquiries.
* Support integrated and effective always‑on issues management and planning across key teams.
* Lead insight‑led capabilities within the team, overseeing day‑to‑day issues monitoring, analytics and integration of monitoring tools.
* Support “always‑on” trendspotting and issues forecasting.
* Lead management of Unilever’s Global Issues Hub and tools to support efficient and effective issues management across the wider business.
* Support capabilities building through development and evolution of Unilever’s issues management processes and resources, including training materials for market colleagues and teams.
* Support delivery of key projects, including Unilever’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
* Oversee day‑to‑day tasks and support of an Industrial Placement (IP) team member.
Key Requirements
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
* Understanding of the media (particularly UK and US) and a passion for news.
* Basic understanding of reputation management.
* Ability to build strong alliances and trust with internal stakeholders and engage confidently with journalists and senior‑level colleagues.
* Highly organised.
* Able to work to tight deadlines and deliver under pressure.
* Creative approach to finding solutions.
* Commercially aware.
Essential
* Background in communications/PR.
* Previous experience working with journalists and managing the media.
* A good track record of driving the delivery of projects/campaigns.
Desirable
* Previous experience in crisis/issues handling.
What We Offer
We offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, an annual bonus, free gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. Flexible and hybrid working is available, as well as a range of wellbeing and development opportunities.
Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We provide full and fair consideration to all applicants and support reasonable adjustments. For more information, see Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full‑time
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