Please Note: The deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the job posting end date.
Job Title: Global Strategy & Operations Lead
Location: 100VE or Port Sunlight
Work-Level: 2B
JOB PURPOSE
Unilever R&D have embarked on a fundamental transformation to innovate better, bigger and faster. Critical to this transformation is the need to deliver, adopt and capture the value of our investments in Digital, as well as partner efficiently with the ecosystem to accelerate breakthrough innovation.
The Digital & Partnerships team, part of the One R&D Centre,drives this transformation in close partnership with UniOps and the BG teams. Its primary goal is to drive impact by:
Digital: Define a Digital Strategy for R&D, prioritise Capex investments in shared infrastructure across all BGs, define a roadmap of digital capability that meets the requirements of the BGs, deliver in partnership with UniOpsand train R&D teams to drive adoption and WoW transformation.
Partnerships: Define an overall partnerships framework for R&D, ensure impactful engagement with startup ecosystems via the Unilever Foundry and establish strategic partnerships with companies on behalf of R&D that help either progress our capabilities (e.g. Digital) or have xBG value.
Both of these areas require a clear strategy & vision, as well as performance tracking of impact and ROI for R&D.So far, these activities have been dealt with ‘on-the-side’, but the scale of investments and operations require now a dedicated role for it.
The Digital & Partnerships organisation has a global footprint and operates in an agile way, at the intersection of technology, business and the external ecosystem. We are extremely well connected in the R&D organisation, serving as a bridge between the ‘power of 1’, represented by the need to leverage scale for investments in digital infrastructure in partnership with UniOps, and ‘focus of 5’, which is illustrated by the strong collaboration with BG Digital Leads to ensure digital technologies are adopted across all BGs and value is captured to generate ROI.In order to drive effective decision-making, the Head of D&P chairs the Digital Transformation LT, which is composed of all D&P Leads, the UniOps BP and all BG Digital Leads. This role will be part of that LT.
This role is suitable for a WL2 with strong commercial instinct, deep understanding of organisational data, and a passion for analytics in a critical enabler of the R&D of the future.The role will enable you to develop broad business awareness, build a strong network, and learn how to operate and communicate at the highest levels of leadership.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What you’ll be doing:
Define the Digital & Partnership OKRs, in alignment with RDLT priorities, and track progress against targets
Anticipate challenges (resource constraints, budget, unexpected delays) and approaches for mitigating risks
Report progress against targetsat the Digital Transformation LT on a regular basis, with appropriate dashboards, data feeds, etc.
Design a framework for R&D Partnerships that helps establish a clear view of priorities and responsibilities with R&D
Set the Agenda for the Partnerships Accelerator (virtual x-BG forum) to align and progress xBG partnership priorities
Establish a way of tracking value from partnerships and reporting on key partnership OKRs
Liaise with RDLT Strategy and Operations director for RDLT OKRs
Lead all key operational processes and optimise these for efficiency and effectiveness, driving operational excellence through implementation of consistent ways of working
Provide exceptional business partnering to the Digital Transformation LT (D&P Leads, UniOps BP, BG Digital Leads) and Partnerships Accelerator to delivertimely, precise data analysis and insights as required
ALL ABOUT YOU
Key Skills & Experience Required:
A very high standard of verbal, written and presentation communication
Ability to communicate withpeople in all work levels, including adaptability to audience
Sees the bigger picture and also has eye for detail
Strong commercial and analytical mind with an interest in and grasp of financial data, business finance and business cases
Ability to engage and perform in culturally diverse and cross-functional teams around the world
Comfortable and self-sufficient in accessing and analysing data, i.e. ability to organise, interrogate and visualise data using Excel and Power BI
Project management and planning experience
Comfort working in an agile way; to adapt and flex with the needs and priorities
Outstanding organisational skills, including the ability to manage multiple overlapping priorities to meet key deadlines, whilst ensuring high quality output
Ability to manage and develop team members, giving autonomy, providing support, and ensuring alignment
Proactive and creative problem solver
NOTES
Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications may not be processed and include your Future Fit Plan if possible.
By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.
Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner Hannah Cottier on Hannah.Cottier@unilever.com
What we offer
Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.
Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. 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. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (unilever.com).
Location
In 2020, Unilever announced the intention to build a new sustainable campus site in Kingston, London to house the employees who currently work in 100 Victoria Embankment in Blackfriars ("100VE"), Lever House in Kingston and Graze in Richmond, the build is due to be complete in early 2025. Most recently, in August 2024, we announced our intention to retain our premises in 100VE until our lease expires in 2027.
We are due to consult with our existing workforce on the new proposal to retain 100VE for the duration of our lease. Therefore, until such a time consultation has concluded as to the retention of our 100VE office, this role will be based in 100 Victoria Embankment until early 2025 and then will move to the Kingston Campus.
Relocation to the UK
Please be aware if you are applying for this role from outside the UK, if successful, your application will be treated as a self-initiated Change Location Outside of Country (CLOC) transfer. This means any relocation costs must be self-funded with the potential to reclaim some specific pre-approved expenses up to £5,000. Please speak to your Talent Partner if you have any questions.
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