Please Note: The deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the job posting end date.

Job Title: Group Corporate and Governance Senior Legal Counsel - X2

Location: 100VE

Please note: There are 2 positions for this role

JOB PURPOSE

The role is a part of the Corporate Legal, Governance and Corporate Secretaries team.

The role has the responsibility for assistingwith the management of Unilever’s corporate governance.

This includes Unilever’s London, Amsterdam and New York listings and compliance with Unilever’s continuous disclosure and insider trading obligations.

The role also assists with general corporate matters, which involve working with the M&A team and helping with Treasury legal, Finance, Investor Relations and Reward teams matters. 

In addition, as a senior member of the team, the role will provide strategic support to the General Counsel Corporate and Deputy Group Secretaryon, governance, regulatory and improvement matters.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Stock Exchanges

Assist with the management of Unilever’s listings on the London Stock Exchange, Amsterdam Stock Exchangeand also New York Stock Exchange. 

Accordingly, support on all UK, Dutch and US corporate governance matters including liaising with foreign counsel and Unilever’s share registrar and listing agents.

Assist with market reporting requirements and drafting, reviewing and releasing stock exchange announcements. 

Support with ensuring Unilever’s compliance with the UK and EU Market Abuse Regulations and listing rules and providing advice where necessary. This will include liaising with other business stakeholders such as GroupInvestor Relations, Group Strategy and M&A, and with Unilever’s broker and external legal advisers on disclosure issues.

Responsible for emerging risk and compliance considerations.

Boardand Unilever Leadership Executive

Responsible for organising and drafting Board and its Committees’ meeting materials, includingagendas, pre-read papers, presentationsand minutes (where relevant), and liaising with management experts for the timely delivery of their respective materials.

Responsible for themaintenance of the onlineBoard portal.

Assistwith advice on regulatory and governance requirements for the Board and its Committees. 

Responsible for appointment documentationof new Directors and helping with considerations around Board succession.

Assistwithcreating Director induction programmes and organising Board effectiveness reviews.

Coordinate the induction and trainingof Directors, Unilever Leadership Executive membersand other officers.

Work with the Unilever Leadership Executive in relation to Board and Committee planning and logistics.

Annual reporting and the Annual General Meeting

Support the drafting and production of the governance section of the yearly annual report in collaboration with other Unilever stakeholders.

Support with other aspects of the annual report and 20-Fdelivery including associated filings and compliance with relevant corporate governance legislation. 

Support the drafting of Annual General Meetingdocumentation and distribution to shareholders. This will include assisting with preparation for the meeting in all aspects, including proxy monitoring, to ensure that the Board, Unilever Leadership Executive and other senior stakeholders are fully equipped for the meeting.

General Corporate work

Assistwith governance and corporate support for Unilever’s worldwide corporate transactions including M&A and other major projects. 

Manage coordinationand execution with the Treasury team of securities issuances including US and EU bonds. 

Support the coordination and payment of dividends and management of employee share awardschemes and take a senior role in share issuances and share buy-backs.

Support the management of Unilever’s business confidential, insider and closed period lists, and ensuring all necessary notifications are communicated to relevant individuals.

Support the management of company share capital, and handle the filing and disclosure of corporate documents and reports with regulators. 

Stakeholder management

Manage, and act as lead contact for the UK, Dutch and US share registry and responding to retail shareholder queries.

Monitor shareholder proxy voting guidelines.

Responsible for maintaining statutory books, including registers of directors, secretaries, and shareholders with all their past and present shareholdings.

Ensure the governance pages on Unilever’s external website regarding both Board and Unilever Leadership Executive matters are kept up to date.  

Support Investor Relations as required. 

Governance and developments

Responsible for monitoring changes in relevant legislation and the regulatory environment and informing the Board and senior management through regular corporate updates.

Support thedevelopment and oversight of systems to ensure the company complies with all applicable codes, in addition to its corporate governance and statutory requirements.

Digital / AI

Continue to explore and recommend ways to further digitalise and improve ways of working for the team.

ALL ABOUT YOU

Corporate lawyer with over 4 yearsplus PQE.

Solicitor qualified in England and Wales.

Experience of supporting a FTSE 250 listed company.

Extensive understanding of the Companies Act 2006, Listing Rules and UK Corporate Governance Code (US SEC experience preferred but not essential).

Good financial acumen.  

Proactive approach to governance and ESG issues.

Ability to handle multiple assignments and manage major projects to successful completion.

Self-motivated and able to work independently.

Good verbal and written communication skills and an ability to clearly articulate complex and material issues to senior stakeholders. 

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with people at all levels. This includes stakeholder engagement capabilities – ability to build strong working relationships across diverse partners and senior stakeholders, including the Finance, Treasury, Investor Relations and Reward  teamsand theGeneral Counsel Corporate and Deputy Group Secretary and the Chief Legal Officer and Group Secretary. 

Highattention to detail and a well-organised approach to work.

Ability to prioritise work, effectively communicate workloads and to work well under pressure.

What we offer

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 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 (unilever.com).

Location

In 2020, Unilever announced the intention to build a new sustainable campus site in Kingston, London to house the employees who currently work in 100 Victoria Embankment in Blackfriars ("100VE"), Lever House in Kingston and Graze in Richmond, the build is due to be complete in early 2025. Most recently, in August 2024, we announced our intention to retain our premises in 100VE until our lease expires in 2027.

We are due to consult with our existing workforce on the new proposal to retain 100VE for the duration of our lease. Therefore, until such a time consultation has concluded as to the retention of our 100VE office, this role will be based in 100 Victoria Embankment until early 2025 and then will move to the Kingston Campus.