HR Lead R&D, B&W and 1UL R&D

Job Title: HR Lead R&D, B&W and 1UL R&D

Location: 100VE

Work-Level: WL3X

INTRODUCTION 

R&D is at the heart of Unilever’s strategy, ensuring we have the science-backed innovation required to enable unmissable brand superiority, create the technology that sits behind our big bold moves and all our brands to deliver our growth ambition. R&D is 5000+ strong organisation, widely geographically dispersed and organised within the Business Groups and 1 Unilever operating model. Core one-R&D capabilities sit as strategically in the centre serving all BGs and 1U organisations.  

Within that, this role includes: 

• R&D Functional HR Lead – the HR partner to Richard Slater, the Unilever CRDO with responsibility for one of Unilever’s most important and strategic functions. 

• B&W R&D – partnering the CRDO for Beauty & Wellbeing, sitting on the B&W RDLT and driving the R&D agenda for one of our business groups with the highest growth potential. 

• 1 Unilever R&D – partnering the CRDO for 1 Unilever Markets, our new organisational construct – this will be an amazing ‘blank sheet’ opportunity to shape an organisation in its nascent stages.  

• One-R&D capabilities (comprising Safety, Environment & Regulatory Sciences (SERS), One Packaging Centre, Unilever Fragrance House and Digital & Partnerships) 

• As a Key member of the B&W BG HR team, play a role to shape, own and lead for the B&W People agenda with the B&W HRLT and team 

As the HR lead for the R&D function, you’ll be perfectly placed to help shape the people agenda across all the BGs where it makes sense to take advantage of Unilever’s scale and R&D’s uniqueness. It’s an exciting opportunity – R&D is one-of-a-kind in that you will be involved and engaged in work that’s unrivalled: e.g. developing a programme for Labs of the Future (a unique experience within Unilever!), collaborating with some of the most exciting external partners Unilever engages with, or building a function that is the best place to build an R&D career across the FMCG industry. 

JOB PURPOSE 

This role is newly configured for the future and designed to support the Unilever R&D people agenda in the coming years.  

• As functional HR lead you will have responsibility for the overall people and talent plan for the function, particularly at senior levels and strategically important talent programmes where we take an e2e view across all the Business Group and Capability areas. 

• Accountability for the c.600+ FTEs that sit within the one-R&D capability centre across SERS, Packaging, Digital/Partnerships and Fragrance. 

• Partnering the Beauty & Wellbeing the role supports a c.900 FTE organisation – an especially critical role with science-backed innovation being at the centre of this Business Group’s strategy. 

• As partner to the 1U R&D organisation (c.250 FTEs), your role will be key in establishing this new operating model, ways of working, and people/talent priorities. 

Crucially the role has a clear business anchor so a great opportunity for anyone looking for a strategic experience (partnering the function) but one that also sits at the heart of a business group. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Build a deep understanding of the R&D organisation. With this, have direct oversight for B&W, one-R&D and the 1U R&D HR agenda. 

• Develop, own and be accountable for the talent and people priorities for the R&D function. 

• Partner to the Unilever CRDO, the B&W CRDO and 1U CRDO in landing their talent, skills and capability strategy in their direct and to-be-built communities and beyond. Being able to move between operational detail and strategic foresight is a must. 

• Senior (WL4+) succession plans and appointments. 

• Own the OVH and FTE plan and forecast for each area. 

• Lead and drive capability programmes for the R&D in partnership with the R&D academy and capability teams (for example, close partnership with the Digital and Partnerships capability).  

• Strategic project delivery: this will vary based on strategic and in-year plans, recent examples include: 

• Establishing the Unilever Fragrance organisation 

• Location Strategy 

• Organisation design principles for R&D 

• R&D reward principles 

• Functional HR taxonomy and job profile design 

• Support and partner to the Office of the CRDO – including the strategy and comms directors – shaping and crafting the narrative for key moments in the year. 

• Build and facilitate a R&D HR network, aligning and prioritising with BG people agendas. 

ALL ABOUT YOU 

• An independent and pro-active leader – this is a hugely autonomous and empowering role reporting directly to a CHRO and a key partner to a ULE member. 

• A great strategic thinker without losing the focus on execution. The role sits at the nexus between future thinking and delivering the here and now – both is essential. 

• Strong organisational awareness and strength in collaboration to deliver with impact and proven delivery through networks – landing the agenda must be done by rolling up sleeves and collaborating with BGs and BUs. 

• Highly developed business partnering and facilitation skills – especially important in priority setting and helping to be a simplifier and cut through complexity. 

NOTES 

What We Offer  

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment. 

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 are a key advocate of wellbeing 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.  

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 at Unilever | Unilever. 

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