Unilever is currently hiring for Mirai Program Dependency Lead
Work Level: WL2B/ C
Reports to: Mirai Programme Director
Location: UK
Terms & Conditions: Full time
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.
ABOUT PROJECT MIRAI
Mirai represents a strategic transformation initiative aimed at harmonising, simplifying, and modernising Unilever's core business operations through the implementation of a single ERP system, standardised business processes, and the integration of Agentic AI. This transformation will enable autonomous operations and reduce operational complexity.
The core business processes most impacted by Mirai span Finance, Customer Operations, Manufacturing, and Procurement and will be harmonised by adopting a "fit to standard" approach; this mandates the use of best practice 'out of the box' process models embedded within the single ERP system. This standardisation aims to eliminate local variations, reduces complexity, and enables consistent, scalable operations across markets and functions. Additionally, Mirai represents a fundamental unlock to maximise the potential of capacity release and effectiveness from our GBS operations.
You can find out more about Mirai via our SharePoint Site.
JOB PURPOSE
The Mira Dependency Lead is accountable for establishing and operating the end to end dependency management framework across Mirai. The role ensures that cross programme interdependencies, specifically with GBS Transform, GDT large Programmes/ ITIB Capex Programmes, and Business Group (BG) BAU initiatives, including M&A activity, are identified early, validated, tracked, governed, and retired without adverse impact to scope, schedule, budget, benefits, or risk to Mirai.
Working as part of the Mirai Transformation Management Office (TMO) and alongside both Unilever and System Integrator resources, the Mira Dependency Lead provides proactive orchestration of cross functional plans, mitigations, and decision pathways to keep the transformation timeline aligned, enabling on time releases, smooth cutovers, and sustainable business adoption.
WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE
1) Dependency Framework & Governance
Design, roll out, and continuously improve a Dependency Management Framework (processes, data standards, operating rhythms, RACI) aligned to Programme governance.
Establish dependency taxonomy (e.g., data, platform, process, policy, vendor, resource/capacity, funding, environment, legal/compliance) and criticality tiers.
Embed dependency controls across planning, change control, RAID, milestone readiness (Stage Gates), and release/cutover governance.
Initiate Dependency Review Boards (DRBs), report on Dependencies at the Mirai Design Authority and contribute to Transformations Executive Steering Committee and Mirai Executive Boards forums with clear escalation/decision pathways.
2) Discovery, Validation & Planning
Facilitate structured interlock workshops to surface cross‑workstream dependencies early (with GBS Transform, GDT Product Domain/ ITIB Capex forums, and Business Groups' BAU leads).
Validate dependencies for realism and completeness; define owning/fulfilling party, needed-by dates, acceptance criteria, and interlock artifacts (e.g., Interface Control Documents).
Integrate dependencies into Integrated Master Plan (IMP) and Integrated Master Schedule (IMS); anchor them on Mirai critical path and key program increments/releases.
3) Tracking, Control & Reporting
Operate a single source of truth for dependency records (with robust descriptions, status, trend, forecast, and aging).
Maintain forward load and timeline checks against Stage Gates (T‑90/T‑60/T‑30) to confirm readiness.
Provide dependency heatmaps, lead‑time SLAs, aging reports, and impact analyses for scope, schedule, cost, and benefits.
Proactively drive mitigation plans, workarounds, and re‑baselining when necessary, ensuring change control compliance.
Build and maintain the Integrated Dependency Register; define owner, fulfiller, needed by, evidence of completion, and risk of slippage.
4) Integrated Delivery & Release Readiness
Align dependencies to Mirai Drops and Releases ensuring prerequisites are met.
Partner with Release/ Deployment Management, Environment Management, and Test functions to secure data, environments, and interfaces.
Ensure non‑functional prerequisites (security, compliance, performance, resilience) are treated as dependencies and validated.
Produce executive level reporting (heatmap by domain, top blockers, trend charts).
5) Stakeholder Engagement & Decision Support
Serve as the primary point of contact for dependency topics with GBS Transform, GDT Product Domains, GDT Portfolio Management (ITIB Capex Programmes), and Business Group BAU leads.
Translate complex interdependencies into clear, decision‑ready insights for executives (options, trade‑offs, risk exposure, and recommended actions).
Build strong, trust‑based relationships across PMs, architects, product owners, finance, procurement, and change/adoption teams.
6) Data Quality & Tooling
Define data standards and operate dependency records in agreed tools (e.g. Jira, Power BI, SharePoint, Confluence
Ensure auditability and lineage of dependency changes, approvals, and retirements
WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED
Experiences & Qualifications
Experience in complex programme delivery (PMO/Programme/Release/Integrated Planning), ideally with a focus on dependency management or integrated planning across multi‑programme environments.
Direct experience interfacing with Unilever's shared services (GBS), enterprise IT (GDT), and business operations (BAU).
Strong command of schedule management, critical path analysis, and risk/RAID disciplines.
Tooling proficiency: Jira, Power BI, Excel, SharePoint/Confluence; familiarity with architecture and interface governance tools is a plus.
Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, and communication skills; able to challenge constructively at senior levels.
Skills
Systems thinking - sees cross‑functional impacts and second‑order effects.
Structured problem‑solving - converts ambiguity into executable plans.
Influence without authority -drives outcomes across diverse teams.
Data‑driven judgment - balances quantitative evidence with qualitative context.
Resilience & urgency - maintains pace, navigates setbacks calmly.
Governance - understands stage gates, funding cycles, and control frameworks.
Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.