Activism Manager Ben & Jerry's

Who we are?

Life Tastes Better With Ice Cream

Unilever Ice Cream is the largest global Ice Cream Company in the world, with over 100 years of experience delivering a diverse range of indulgent, yet responsible, craft food experiences and treats delighting consumers. Committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability we have 35 brands, including 3 one billion Euro brands (Magnum, Wall’s, Ben & Jerry’s), a strong presence in over 60 countries, generating annual revenue of over $8 billion. All brands are driven to transform moments into memories 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. 

We turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by designing unique and innovative Ice Cream experiences that make life taste better, creating joyful experiences. In our Ice Cream business, we’re crafting the future through innovation and imaginative minds, creating unique products. We spark moments of happiness for people and within the communities where we operate. However, it is not as simple as it may seem. As Ice Cream makers we are serious about happiness. With warm hearts, we create the coolest products.   

A job at Unilever is a career made by you, with development opportunities, benefits and a working culture that embraces diversity and is pioneering flexibility. There’s no better time to join our team!  

About Ben & Jerry's 

Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc. started in 1978 in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, USA, founded by childhood friends and dedicated activists Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. In 2000, Ben & Jerry's became a wholly owned subsidiary of Unilever, while an independent board of directors took the lead in maintaining and expanding Ben & Jerry's social mission, advocacy, brand integrity and product quality. Today we have fans in 35 countries around the world.

At Ben & Jerry's we have an inspiring ambition. We want to drive the global movement for social and economic justice and sell the most delicious ice cream in the world with our "connected prosperity business model”. That means, we bring in our activist spirit every day and work hard for what we care about, a true value-driven organization with an associated 3-part mission

• Social Mission: impact on human rights, workers’ rights and social justice around the world

• Product Mission: Production and distribution of high quality and natural ice cream with euphoric preparations

• Economic Mission: to operate the company on a sustainable financial basis towards profitable growth.

Our 3-part mission comes to life in everything we do. In Australia, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is known for its big chunks and irreverent tone of voice. For the past few years the brand has been actively engaged in driving marriage equality and advocating for immediate action on climate change.

Job Summary

Do you have at least three years’ experience working in campaigning within the NGO, charity or grassroots movement-building space? Do you believe that business can be a force for positive change? Do issues of social and environmental justice drive you and are you able to persuade others to join in?

Ben & Jerry’s is recruiting an Activism Manager to lead social and environmental justice campaigns in Australia working as a part of our team in Sydney.

Role Responsibilities:

The primary role of the Activism Manager is to lead the strategy development and execution of the company’s issue advocacy / activism campaigns in Australia that align with Ben & Jerry’s progressive values under the direction of the Head of Social Mission for Europe and ANZ. The Activism Manager is a critical part of bringing Ben & Jerry’s impactful activism campaigns to life and requires close coordination across functions internally while also managing a diverse set of external stakeholders and campaign partners. Given Ben & Jerry’s unique position within Unilever, the ability to build excellent relationships within both Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s will be essential. Building networks and relationships across our company as well as with external civil society groups are critical for success.

You will work with a cross functional global team of Ben & Jerry’s staff to develop and execute progressive, innovative, digital first, and strategic winning campaigns that support progressive social change:

• In collaboration with our civil society partners, you’ll support the development of key messages and creative communications of these campaigns inciting Ben & Jerry’s Australian fan-base and extended stakeholder network to take action by using compelling content through our key channels.  

• Ensure our activism campaigns come to life across our scoop stores network in Australia, through working with the internal and external stakeholders.

• Work with several key stakeholders (both internal and external) to organise and mobilise to deliver on our activism campaign strategies.

• Given Ben & Jerry’s unique position within Unilever, build excellent relationships within both Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s. Having the right energy and attitude to connect both parts of our organisation will be critical for success.

• Develop and nurture a broad network of NGOs and other partners that advance public policies that foster a vibrant, just and sustainable economy and society.

• Join a global team of Activism Managers as well as the larger global Social Mission team, and provide vision and leadership within the Global Social Mission Advocacy Team to ensure Ben & Jerry’s remains the most progressive, innovative and impactful activist company.

• Work closely with the digital, social media, communications, marketing teams, and agencies to support the delivery of activism campaigns in ANZ, as well as increasing knowledge and understanding of our activism model within the team and agencies in ANZ.

Skills & Experience:

We are looking for an experienced activist who can ultimately leverage the digital first marketing excellence and operational effectiveness powered by Ben & Jerry’s, while staying true to our 3-part mission and progressive values. Our kind of candidate is/has:

• Three to five years of previous issue advocacy campaign experience and a proven track of campaign strategy development.

• Minimum degree or equivalent practical experiences in Political Science, Sociology, Community Organizing or related fields relevant to this work.

• A strong knowledge of public policy and the political process in Australia. 

• A working knowledge of Climate Change issues.

• A large and diverse network of progressive civil society organisations.

• A belief in the power of grass-roots campaigning and commitment to movement-building as a theory of change. 

• Experience and understanding of how to use a diverse set of tools and channels, including physical stores, digital and social media, to inspire people to action in support of progressive social change.

• Creative, with strong storytelling and communications skills. Able to simplify and create engaging communications around what are often complication and serious issues.

• Experience working across multi-cultural and diverse communities.

• Strong interpersonal, leadership, communication, and diplomacy skills.

• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills and comfortable talking to the media. 

• Attention to detail, planning and preparation.

• Ability to influence internal and external partners to establish a collaborative stakeholder alignment across a complex globally matrixed organization.

• Will work independently, with limited oversight, while defining the role.

Our people profile

To support our 3-part mission, Ben & Jerry’s also has an outspoken people-mission. We look for people with these characteristics to strengthen our team:

• Purpose-driven: passion and drive to make a real impact through our Social Mission.

• Empathy: curious to collaborate with a variety of personalities and styles and to build excellent relationships with internal & external stakeholders – this includes cross-functional relationships and striving for collaborative success.

• Mastery: continuously learn, grow and develop to contribute to Ben & Jerry’s.

• Autonomy: dare to make choices and take ownership.

• Activism: interested in bringing about social or environmental change.

What awaits you at Unilever Ice Cream?

The core of Unilever’s culture is captured as Human, Purposeful, Accountable. You will be joining a dynamic, flexible, and inspiring work environment that truly cares about your wellbeing, values what you do and celebrates your success.

This is your opportunity to be part of a purpose-led business and a global community where you can progress your career both locally and internationally. You will also benefit from amazing discounts on external company products, attractive employee referral reward program amongst other benefits.

This is a great opportunity to work within an iconic and global organization. We have gained our reputation as one of the world's most admired employers by providing an environment where individuals can achieve their goals, both professionally and personally.

Make no mistake we expect a lot from our people as they do of us. So, if you can rise to the challenge, don't waste any time - apply now!

Unilever is an organization committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities.

This means we encourage people with all backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pacific Peoples, and people with disabilities. Interested in learning more, check out our Reconciliation Action Plan and Workplace Adjustment Policy on the Unilever webpage.

At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! We encourage you to advise us at the time of your application if you require any reasonable adjustment so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.