Corporate Affairs Graduate Programme (Hiring Immediately)

Job Description

£40,000 pro rata* | 23 month Fixed Term Contract | 30 days holiday (pro rata) | 10% in-store discount

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Everyone who works at Lidl brings something unique to the table – but we also have a whole lot in common. We’re motivated, commercially aware and ready to take on any challenge.  

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Kickstart your career with a team that makes a difference! Our Corporate Affairs team is looking for ambitious, sustainability-minded, and commercially aware graduates to join our 23-month Graduate Scheme. Corporate Affairs gives Lidl a relevant voice, building bridges between corporate interests and social value, providing the ideal launchpad for your professional journey.

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Building your expertise from the ground up, in this role, you won't just sit behind a desk, you will actively help shape, protect, and promote our reputation as a responsible, quality-driven, and sustainable business. Spanning across CSR, Corporate Communications, and Public Affairs, you will get hands-on experience in community initiatives, brand reputation, and political engagement accelerating your growth from day one. 

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The process will also include a video interview and face-to-face assessment centre held in our Head Office in Tolworth on 16/12/2026. We look forward to receiving your application.

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What you'll don

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Throughout your programme, you will spend your first 12 months rotating around the 3 core areas of the Corporate Affairs team, where you will then specialise in 1 for the remainder of your programme: 

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CSR & Sustainability:

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  Work within our Corporate Sustainability (CSR) Team responsible for guiding the organisation on a clear and sustainable path for growth

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  Play a key role in sustainability governance, supporting annual reporting and quarterly business updates.

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  Coordinate with national charity partners and support community-led initiatives and grant programmes with large-scale customer impact.

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  Deliver in-person CSR workshops and upskilling sessions and collate data for national social and environmental reporting.

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  Support sustainability projects, helping the business to reduce operational waste and reduce its scope 1 & 2 emissions 

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Corporate Communications & Reputation:

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  Actively manage, protect, and promote Lidl’s reputation as a responsible, quality-driven, performance-based, and sustainable company that puts colleagues first.

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  Refresh, review, and create internal and external content to ensure engaging, transparent, and impactful storytelling.

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  Support in monitoring our busy press office, responding to enquiries from the media and building relationships internally to identify potential storytelling opportunities. 

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  Assist in compiling and developing documents, including press releases, presentations, briefs, letters, colleague communication and background research.

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Public Affairs:

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  Work with the Public Affairs Team to enhance Lidl’s reputation and influence across Westminster and the devolved nations. 

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  Horizon scan for regulatory movements from Government that could impact the organisation. 

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  Co-manage the policy priority areas to ensure business preparedness, ensuring alignment and seamless communication flow to internal stakeholders. 

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  Support the delivery of strategic comms campaigns, including collateral development, stakeholder mapping and forward planning.

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What you'll needn

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• Achieved or 2:2 or higher in a Bachelor's Degree

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• Are eligible to work in the UK on a full-time basis and able to provide proof when required

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• Able to commute/relocate within a reasonable commute to our Head Office in Tolworth, South West London

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• Evidence you genuinely care about people and the planet (e.g. volunteering, raising money for charity, or being an active member of a community)

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• Able to manage multiple deadlines, through a previous leadership position

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• Strong written communication skills, high attention to detail, and a proactive, inquisitive mindset

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• Confidence in presenting ideas, communicating with influence, and building strong relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders

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What you'll receiven

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• 10% in-store discount

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• Pro-rata holiday allowance

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• Enhanced professional development and mentoring

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• A chance to work on high-profile projects that impact local communities nationwide

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• Plus, more of the perks you deserve

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*plus an additional 10% non-contractual London Weighting allowance.

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You’re Lidl like us. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. Join us to celebrate individuality and grow in a fair, respectful, and inclusive environment.

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Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

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If you’re ready to get stuck in, begin your professional journey and make a real difference, find your place at Lidl and apply now.

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