Job Title: R&D Partnerships Catalyst Lead
Location: 100VE, London
Work Level: 2B/C
Background
While the R&D Partnerships team focuses on strategic platforms delivering €100m+ outcomes, thousands of partnerships occur across Unilever annually. The single biggest organisational ask is accelerating partnership processes and removing collaboration blockers that frustrateemployeesorganization-wide across critical steps: competitive landscape awareness, partner capability knowledge, supplier-to-collaboration transitions, onboarding, and scaling pilots.
Main Purpose
The Partnership Catalyst Lead builds digital and AI-enabled operational infrastructure that enables organization-wide partnership execution through systematic frameworks aligned with the Catalyst strategy: systematicallyidentifyand prioritize opportunities, accelerate execution, and scale and sustain impact. You will create connected digital processes that address partnership frustrations across thousands of organizational partnerships while managing Unilever's direct investment vehicle.
Key Focus Areas:
Digital/AI Partnership Infrastructure- Build connected, AI-enabled processes that accelerate partnership execution organization-wide
Systematic Opportunity Framework- Enable competitive intelligence and partner evaluation across the organization
Execution Acceleration- Create streamlined legal frameworks, onboarding, and validation processes
Scaling Infrastructure- Manage investment vehicle and scaling pathways for successful partnerships
Main Accountabilities:
Digital/AI Partnership Infrastructure & Organization-Wide Enablement
Build comprehensive digital and AI-enabled platform that connects all partnership processes from competitive intelligence through scaling
Implement AI-powered capabilities for partner matching, opportunity identification, competitive monitoring, and process automation
Create organization-wide digital infrastructure that enables thousands of partnerships to execute faster and more effectively
Design integrated systems that connect previously fragmented processes across Legal, Procurement, Finance, and R&D functions
Systematically Identify & Prioritize Opportunities
Build AI-enabled competitive landscape monitoring and emerging technology identification systems accessible organization-wide
Create comprehensive partner capability databases with intelligent matching systems that help teams understand existing partner relationships
Develop systematic partner evaluation frameworks with clear criteria and benchmarking tools for consistent assessment
Implement structured opportunity identification processes and prioritization frameworks for high-value partnershipselection
Accelerate Execution
Coordinate with Legal Manager to deploy standardized partnership models and quick-acting collaborative legal frameworks
Build streamlined partner onboarding systems and automated approval workflows that reduce setup time and complexity
Implement digital validation frameworks for systematic technology assessment through POCs and pilot programs
Scale & Sustain Impact
Own Unilever's direct investment vehicle operations, coordinating with Unilever Ventures or Investment Manager for execution
Develop investment criteria, due diligence frameworks, and scaling pathways that enable successful pilots to reach commercialization
Build ecosystem relationships with external scaling partners (VCs, venture studios, accelerators) toprovidecomprehensive scaling options
Create performance measurement and optimization systems that continuously improve scaling success rates
Organizational Change & Capability Building
Lead change management initiatives to drive adoption of digital partnership processes and AI-enabled tools across the organization
Create training programs and capability building initiatives that enhance partnership skills organization-wide
Build internalexpertisenetworks and partnership champions that sustain process excellence across business groups
Measure organizational adoption and continuouslyoptimizeprocesses based on user feedback and performance data
Key Interfaces:
Internal:Head of R&D Partnerships, Platform Innovation Leads, Partner to Win Innovation Lead, Revenue Streams Lead, Strategy & Operations Lead, Legal Manager, Unilever Ventures, Investment Manager, BGteamsorganization-wide
External:Digital platform vendors, AI technology providers, competitive intelligence services, scaling partner ecosystem
Travel Requirement:
No regular travelrequired
Critical Success Factors for the Job:
Key Skills
Digital/AI Platform Architecture- Advanced skills in designing AI-enabled systems and connected digital processes for large-scale organizational deployment
Partnership Process Excellence- Deep understanding of partnership lifecycle with focus on systematic optimization and automation
Investment Operations Management- Understanding of investment processes, fund management, and scaling mechanisms
Cross-Functional Systems Integration- Exceptional skills in connecting processes across Legal, Procurement, Finance, and R&D functions
Organization-Wide Change Management- Proven ability to implement digital transformation across thousands of users and secure adoption
Analytical Problem-Solving- Advanced skills inidentifyingprocess bottlenecks and designing systematic, technology-enabled solutions
Relevant Experience
Educational Foundation-Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field; MBA or digital transformation certifications preferred
Digital Transformation Leadership- 8-12years experienceleading organization-wide digital transformation, AI implementation, or process automation initiatives
Partnership Operations- Proven experience building partnership processes, competitive intelligence systems, or collaboration frameworks
Investment or Fund Operations- Experience with investment processes, fund management, or scaling mechanisms in corporate environments
Enterprise AI/Digital Implementation- Track record implementing AI-enabled platforms, automation tools, or business intelligence systems across large organizations
Cross-Functional Leadership- Extensive experience coordinating complex digital initiatives across Legal, Finance, and business functions
Success Metrics
Organization-wide partnership velocity improvements through digital process optimization and AI automation
User adoption and satisfaction with AI-enabled partnership tools across Unilever teams
Investment vehicle performance including scaling success rates and portfolio returns
Reduction in partnership process pain points measured through digital analytics and user feedback
Cross-functional process integration effectiveness and automation success rates
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with senior digital transformation and operations excellence roles
Professional development opportunities with exposure tocutting-edgeAI technologies and partnership automation
Opportunity to drive significant organizational impact through digital innovation and process transformation
This role offers the opportunity to transform Unilever's partnership capabilities through AI-enabled digital infrastructure that accelerates thousands of partnerships while enabling strategic platform development.
NOTES
Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications may not be processed and include your talent card if completed.
By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.
Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner listed at the right hand side of this vacancy.
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 September 2020, Unilever announced the intention to build a new sustainable campus site in Kingston, London. This site will house some employees who currently work in 100 Victoria Embankment in Blackfriars together with colleagues who are currently located in Lever House in Kingston. We are excited to be creating our own Unilever sustainable, agile work environment. The campus is due to be completed in 2026.
Relocation to the UK
Please be aware if you are applying for this role from outside the UK, if successful, your application will be treated as a self-initiated Change Location Outside of Country (CLOC) transfer. This means any relocation costs must be self-funded with the potential to reclaim some specific pre-approved expenses up to £5,000. Please speak to your Talent Partner if you have any questions.
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