Unilever Industrial Placement Programme - Marketing UK

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. Through world‑class brands, cutting‐edge science and technology, digital innovation and AI‑enabled capabilities, we are building unmissably superior products and experiences for consumers around the world. 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.

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. With a strong performance culture, challenging goals, and continuous feedback, we will encourage you to achieve your potential. You will thrive by gaining exposure to real business challenges where your energy and fresh thinking will have an impact. First‑hand experience- it’s the fastest way to learn.

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 softer, 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.

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

What Can Unilever offer YOU?

• A competitive Salary of £27,898.00End 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. E.g., If required extending time spent in any ‘timebound’ assessments/interviews. futurecareers.recruitment@unilever.com.

#LI-Remote

Better Business. Better World. Better You.

We’ve been pioneers, innovators and future-makers for over 120 years.