At a Glance
- Tasks: Dive into real-world marketing challenges and make a meaningful impact from day one.
- Company: Join Unilever, a leading FMCG company with iconic brands like Dove and Lynx.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and 28 days holiday plus bonuses.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in marketing while developing your skills with expert support.
- Qualifications: Must be a penultimate year undergraduate with a passion for marketing.
The predicted salary is between 27898 - 27898 £ per year.
Our Unilever Industrial Placement (IP) Programme is designed for students who are completing a year in industry as part of their degree studies. In the UK, our IP programme is a 12-month development scheme, for which we recruit top-performing undergraduate talent, with fresh ideas who are eager to gain exposure to real-world challenges. All new joiners are given real responsibility from day one and have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the business. Alongside this, they receive one-to-one mentoring and support to aid their development and help them achieve their goals. These programmes provide a variety of experiences, enabling individuals to learn, grow, develop personally and professionally, build confidence and gain a comprehensive understanding of the business.
About Unilever: Unilever is one of the world’s leading FMCG companies, home to iconic brands including Dove, Vaseline, TRESemmé, Lynx, Persil, Domestos, Surf, Radox, Sure and Liquid I.V. Through products used by millions of people every day, we help improve health, wellbeing, confidence and care around the world. Established over 100 years ago, Unilever has a proud heritage of innovation and a long-standing belief that great brands, great people and responsible business go hand in hand. Today, we are transforming into a faster, more focused growth company centred on Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care and Home Care.
A career at Unilever offers the opportunity to work at global scale while helping shape the future of some of the world’s most recognised brands. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, bringing curiosity, creativity and passion to solve real business challenges and make a meaningful impact every day.
As we receive a high volume of applications, please make sure to read the job descriptions on our website carefully and apply for the ONE function you are most interested in. Only your first application will be considered.
What do we look for?
Success in this role goes far beyond creativity; it demands sharp commercial awareness and the ability to read a market’s performance, identify opportunities, and take decisive steps to improve results. You’ll bring strong social and digital instincts, staying ahead of trends and understanding how audiences behave across platforms. It’s a hands-on environment where you’ll be driven to get stuck in, make an impact quickly, and keep momentum high. Collaboration is essential, as you’ll work closely with multiple teams and agencies, coordinating moving parts with confidence, clarity, and a genuinely team-focused mindset. Students must have completed the penultimate year of their undergraduate degree by the time they start their placement and be returning to study after their placement.
Our Marketing Industrial Placements are a chance to showcase your thinking and skills, with total support from a line manager and a buddy.
What could your day-to-day role include (depending on your role)?
You’ll be constantly deepening the already expert knowledge of our brands and the people who use them. You’ll use this level of insight to help develop our products’ personalities and bring them to life. That could mean working on the launch of a new fabric softener, undertaking research on the latest trends in hair care, or planning a digital campaign for Lynx.
Skills Required Include:
- Market & Commercial Insight – Ability to interpret market performance, identify growth opportunities, and recommend clear, commercially grounded actions.
- Digital & Social Media Expertise – Strong understanding of platform behaviours, audience trends, and how to leverage digital channels to drive brand impact.
- Hands-On Execution & Drive – Proactive mindset with the energy to get involved, move projects forward, and deliver meaningful results.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration – Skilled at working with internal teams and managing multiple agencies, ensuring alignment and smooth coordination across all moving parts.
- Strong Organisational & Analytical Skills – Confident handling data, structuring workstreams, and managing projects with clarity.
- Microsoft Office Proficiency – Competent in Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint to support analysis, communication, and planning.
Please note, that at Unilever, we have development programmes; the skills above are skills that would be good to have at the beginning however you will develop them over the course of the 12 months.
Programme details:
- 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 14 September 2026
- Applications Close: This is a rolling deadline, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment in case applications close early.
- Start Date: June 2027
Industrial Placement (IP) Application Process:
- 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.
- 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.
- Digital Interview: Complete a video 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.
- Pre-Screening Interview: Attend a virtual pre-screening interview with a member of our recruitment team.
- 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.
- Connections with the Graduates (UFLPs) who can share helpful tips on how to be successful at Unilever.
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 well-being 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.
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.
Email: futurecareers.recruitment@unilever.com
At Unilever, we are committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever, we are interested in every individual and the talent they can bring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.
Unilever Industrial Placement Programme - Marketing UK in Kingston employer: Unilever
Unilever is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of London, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and a commitment to sustainability, making it a rewarding place to advance your career while contributing to meaningful projects in the energy and packaging sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Unilever Industrial Placement Programme - Marketing UK in Kingston
✨Get Social with Marketing Communities
Join marketing-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook to connect with professionals in the field. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and ask questions—this is a great way to get noticed and find placement opportunities in marketing-communications.
✨Attend Marketing Events and Workshops
Make it a point to attend local marketing events, workshops, or meetups. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but you'll also be able to network with industry insiders. Plus, these events often lead to placement opportunities you won’t find online!
✨Craft Your Own Personal Brand
Start building your personal brand online by creating content related to marketing-communications. Write articles, share case studies, or post about your projects on social media. This will not only showcase your skills to potential employers but also demonstrate your passion for the field!
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you spot a placement at Unilever, don't hesitate to apply directly through our website. Tailor your application to highlight relevant skills and experience in marketing-communications, and don’t forget to mention any networking contacts you might have!
We think you need these skills to ace Unilever Industrial Placement Programme - Marketing UK in Kingston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creativity:In marketing communications, coming up with fresh and original ideas is key! Make sure your application shows off your creative flair—whether that's through a unique CV design or showcasing a standout project from your studies or placements that demonstrates your innovative approach.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Marketing:When writing your cover letter for the Unilever Industrial Placement Programme - Marketing UK role at Unilever, focus on your passion for storytelling and engaging audiences. Grab their attention by discussing specific marketing campaigns you've executed or contributed to, and highlight any metrics that reflect your success or learning in those projects.
Demonstrate Your Communication Skills:In this field, clear and compelling communication is everything! Include samples of your writing, such as blog posts, press releases, or strategic plans. These will show your potential employer that you can craft messages that resonate with target audiences, which is vital for a marketing communications role.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Even if you haven’t had a proper job yet, don’t sweat it! Include any relevant internships, volunteer roles, or university projects that relate to marketing communications. These experiences show that you understand the industry and are ready to learn even more during your placement at Unilever.
How to prepare for a job interview at Unilever
✨Know Your Marketing Basics
Brush up on key marketing concepts like the 4 Ps (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) and digital marketing trends. Expect questions that gauge your understanding of strategic communication and how it applies to real-world scenarios—this will show Unilever you're ready to jump in.
✨Showcase Your Creative Flair
Make sure to bring a portfolio or samples of your previous work, even if they're from university projects. If you've done any social media campaigns or content creation, be ready to discuss your thought process and the tools you used—like Canva or Adobe Creative Suite. This will help us visualise how you'd contribute to the team at Unilever.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
You might face some role-play questions where you’ll need to think on your feet. For example, how would you handle a crisis in communication or engage a difficult audience? Practising these types of scenarios beforehand can give you a huge edge over other candidates.
✨Express Your Eagerness to Learn
As we're looking at a placement, showcasing your willingness to learn and adapt is crucial. Be open about your career goals and how this placement at Unilever fits into them. They'll appreciate your ambition and desire to grow in the marketing field.
