Ice Cream Issues Manager

ICE CREAM IS LOOKING FOR Ice Cream Issues Manager

Location: Weena, Rotterdam moving to Amsterdam in March 2025 the Netherlands

Local conditions apply

Full-time

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will first consider candidates based in the Netherlands. If you are based outside of the Netherlands and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but we can only take your application on if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the Netherlands.

We spark moments of happiness for people and within the communities where we operate. As ice cream makers we are serious about happiness. With warm hearts, we create the coolest products. We are the proof that an unbroken chain of happier people works – for a happy planet and winning smiles. As the largest ice cream company in the world, we have over 100 years of experience in delivering smiles, and we plan to continue this for many more years to come, with our people and planet first.

We have 35 brands, including 3 one billion Euro brands (Magnum, Wall’s, Ben & Jerry’s), in over 60 countries. All driven to spread happiness through indulgent yet responsibly made and marketed products. We have a well-developed strategy to deliver growth and value creation which is clear on where to play and how to win.

INTRODUCTION

We are at a unique inflection point where we are preparing for the separation of Unilever’s Ice Cream business.

The Communications and Corporate Affairs function is responsible for the effective management of issues impacting Ice Cream’s reputation and business operations. These include issues related to brand and corporate reputational issues (NGO campaigns, social media campaigns, media requests, regulatory development), to product issues (related to quality or safety), issues related to cyber security and data and issues emerging from external event affecting our people and operations such as natural disasters or geopolitical developments.

This crucial and exciting new role will report into the Director External Affairs and will work closely with experts across the business to ensure we effectively respond to issues in line with our strategy, commitments and positions (existing and/or new positions as required). 

The person in this role will be primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of Ice Cream’s global issues. The role holder will advise other teams (global functions, Business Groups) on how to manage issue flares, and help track issues and emerging trends. Some flexibility will be required to ensure that we are able to effectively manage issue flares across the team.    

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

• Lead the day-to-day management of Ice Cream’s global issues. This includes advising on external positions, messaging and content e.g. AI, cyber security, marketing and advertising etc.    

• Act as the teams’ primary contact for functional issues playing out on social media. 

• Support our Business Group and Business Units on key issues (including brands) and advise on risk mitigation and handling. 

• Work with Business Group and Business Units to ensure we anticipate emerging issues and trends.

• Oversee the team’s social media monitoring capability, tracking evergreen issues and emerging trends. 

• Develop an issues briefing pack for the AGM and coordinate efforts to address key reputational issues.

• Ensure the governing bodies, such as the Issues and Policy group, are updated regularly, and in accordance with our governance process, on the most significant issue flares we are managing. 

• Respond to issue-related media queries, drawing on the content knowledge of team members and subject matter experts from across the business.

• Prepare media responses, social media responses, content for digital channels and careline responses as needed on active issues.

• Champion effective issues management across the business ensuring all issues are managed in line with established procedures and systems. 

EXPERIENCE YOU SHOULD HAVE/THE QUALITIES WE LOOK FOR

Experiences & Qualifications

Key Skills/Requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (concise, accurate, channel specific, audience appropriate)

• Comprehensive understanding of the media (particularly EU and US); a passion for news

• Strong judgement

• Confidence, drive and initiative

• Ability to work to tight deadlines, calm under pressure and resilient 

• Understanding of how civil society, media, politics, science, business and citizens operate and interact

• Ability and desire to understand complex topics and translate them into compelling stories 

• Experience building alliances and trust with internal stakeholders 

• Real team player. Keeps a balance between personal accountability and delivery through team work

• Bias for action, shows accountability and responsibility and has a ‘can do’ attitude

Essential:

• Issues management and communications expertise including on social channels 

• Media relations handling, PR and issue management experience – corporate and/or for brands

• Highly organised with good judgement

• Able to deliver in a fast-paced environment

Desirable:

• 5+ years’ experience in managing reputational issues 

• Corporate affairs, advocacy, and NGO exposure 

WHAT DOES UNILEVER OFFER/WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme.

• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.

• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.

• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.

• Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40%-60% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate.  For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office , you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products.

• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products. 

• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).

• Home work allowance

• Company laptop and mobile phone

• Green Mobility Policy.   

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter.  Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

Looking forward to meeting you! 

Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against. 

By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.

Please save a copy of this vacancy for personal use as it will disappear from the website after closing of the role.