About Unilever
Unilever is a multinational consumer goods company headquartered in London, England, with operations spanning over 190 countries worldwide. The company is a leader in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, with a diverse portfolio of globally recognized brands including Dove, Sure, Persil, Simple, Hellmann’s, Knorr, and many others. Unilever employs approximately 130,000 people globally and operates across multiple categories including beauty and personal care, foods and refreshment, and home care products. In 2020, Unilever announced the creation of a €1 billion commitment over a decade to take meaningful and decisive action to protect the health of the planet and connect sustainability with its superior value creation model. This commitment reflects the company’s strategic focus on sustainable business practices and environmental stewardship. The Climate & Nature Fund serves as a platform for collaboration with partners in innovation and financing, enabling greater impact through growth-based global value chain transformation and technology innovation. The Climate & Nature Fund represents Unilever’s dedication to spearheading transformation in global supply chains while maintaining commercial viability. The fund operates as an international platform bringing together investment professionals, program managers, and sustainability professionals to manage global programs and projects focused on environmental and social impact. This initiative is sponsored by Unilever’s Global Chief Procurement Officer and works collaboratively across business groups and value chains to scale sustainable impact faster and further.
About this Role
This is an exciting full-time temporary role based at Blackfriars on London’s Victoria Embankment, requiring 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, running until the end of July 2027. The position offers a mix of remote and onsite working, subject to adjustment based on business requirements. The role presents a unique opportunity to spearhead transformation in a global supply chain as part of an international team of investment professionals. As Investment Manager for the Climate & Nature Fund, you will manage the development, execution, and ongoing performance management of strategic supply chain financing and innovation partnerships and programs. You will be responsible for the origination, completion, and monitoring of direct equity and debt investments, as well as fund investment strategies. In this role, you could be managing a close international team of analysts and assistant managers. The position requires leading investment manager responsibilities for internal partner collaboration within Procurement and with Global Sustainability, Research & Development, Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, Assurance, Brands, and Business Units. You will lead the origination, due diligence, closing, and performance management of direct equity investments forming joint ventures, investments in funds, and in some cases the co-creation of or investment in externally managed blended financing structures. Additionally, you will manage the origination, due diligence, and performance management of co-financing partnership programs and investment strategies that could include raw material supply chains, energy transition, alternative feedstocks, packaging and circular economy, as well as media and business services. As part of a multi-discipline investment team, you will lead overall project creation and delivery working in collaboration with global and business unit teams from Procurement Portfolio, Legal, Supply Chain, Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Research & Development, Global Treasury, Tax, and Accounting. You will contribute to elevating the leadership profile of the Climate &Nature Fund and Unilever’s role in sustainable resilience supply chain transformation while developing and maintaining effective external financing and innovation partnerships.
Responsibilities
- Lead investment manager for internal partner collaboration within Procurement and with Global Sustainability, R&D, Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, Assurance, Brands, and Business Units
- Lead manager for the origination, due diligence, closing, and performance management of direct equity investments forming joint ventures, investments in funds, and externally managed blended financing structures
- Manage the origination, due diligence, and performance management of co-financing partnership programs and investment strategies for raw material supply chains, energy transition, alternative feedstocks, packaging, circular economy, media, and business services
- Present investment cases and performance monitoring to senior leadership team committees
- Lead or support the investment workstream for highly strategic global projects
- Lead overall project creation and delivery as part of a multi-discipline investment team, working in collaboration with global and business unit teams
- Contribute to elevating the leadership profile of the Climate & Nature Fund and Unilever’s role in sustainable resilience supply chain transformation
- Develop and maintain effective external financing and innovation partnerships
- Manage the performance and development of a close international team of analysts and assistant managers
Requirements
- 10-15 years of professional experience in finance, impact investment, mergers & acquisitions, blended finance, venture capital, or innovation partnerships
- Market knowledge and insights of sustainability in industry or supply chains, including alternative materials, regenerative agriculture, circularity, and energy transition
- Proven experience delivering and managing complex multi-stakeholder projects with strong business case execution
- External network desirable within public and private sector financial institutions
- Knowledge and experience preferred in working on investment strategies in supply chains relevant to Unilever’s business groups
- CFA qualifications desirable but not required
- Self-starter with an entrepreneurial growth mindset, strong bias for action, accountability, and interest in innovation and collaboration
- Ability to build, manage, and lead relationships with internal stakeholders
- Proven strength in execution and ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Strong communication skills for conveying ideas to business partners, internally and externally, translating these into effective proposals
- Strong analytical skills for building business cases and developing financing solutions
- Strong program management skills and data-driven decision making
- Business acumen and understanding of how the organization derives value from opportunities, interventions, and capabilities for decarbonization and nature-positive strategies
- Demonstrated ability to strategically motivate and influence colleagues and senior stakeholders while holding oneself and others accountable for reaching ambitious targets
- Inclusive leadership style with ability to motivate and manage teams effectively
- Ability to balance challenge with support and coaching
- Understanding of wider business context and ability to motivate people to deliver what is needed
- Some international travel required once per quarter
Benefits
- Competitive salary up to £83,000 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience
- Iconic working location on the Victoria Embankment at Blackfriars
- Modern working environment
- Short walk from Blackfriars tube station
- Staff shop with discounted products
- Free tea and coffee facilities
- Onsite deli and restaurant open for breakfast and lunch
- Gym available for use (subscription required)
- Mix of remote and onsite working flexibility
- Opportunity to work on global sustainability initiatives with significant impact
- International exposure and collaboration with global teams
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