Senior Director, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs: Advocacy Strategy

Job Description Summary:

The Senior Director, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs Strategic Advocacy will lead the development and execution of the advocacy strategy to strengthen The Coca-Cola Company’s positioning on nutrition, ingredient safety, beverage regulation, and public policy issues in North America. This role will serve as a key leader in translating USA and Canada scientific, regulatory, and policy developments into actionable business strategies that support enterprise priorities and long-term growth.

The role will focus on identifying emerging state and federal policy trends, assessing business impact, and partnering across the organization to orchestrate science-based advocacy positions and engagement strategies. Leading a small team who works closely with Public Affairs, R&D, Legal, Technical Innovation & Supply Chain, and Commercial leaders, the Senior Director will help ensure alignment across the advocacy function with global Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, while supporting proactive external engagement with trade associations, scientific organizations, and other key stakeholders.

This position is critical in enabling Coca-Cola to anticipate and respond to a rapidly changing global regulatory and policy environment while helping shape industry dialogue and public policy outcomes through credible scientific leadership and strategic advocacy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Scientific & Regulatory Affairs Strategic Advocacy function in the development and execution of North American advocacy strategies aligned with enterprise and business priorities.
• Monitor and assess emerging regulatory, scientific, nutrition, ingredient, labeling, sustainability, and public policy developments that may impact Coca-Cola’s business, brands, and reputation.
• Translate complex policy, science, and consumer trends into actionable business insights, risk assessments, and strategic engagement plans.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to Public Affairs & Communications, R&D, Legal, Sustainability, and Commercial functions on evolving policy issues, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead the development of robust monitoring, analytics, and intelligence processes that support evidence-based advocacy strategies, stakeholder engagement, and enterprise decision-making.
• Represent The Coca-Cola Company within industry associations, scientific organizations, and external policy forums, contributing to strategic industry positions and helping shape broader conversations impacting the food and beverage sector.
• Build and lead a high-performing team while fostering a culture of collaboration, agility, scientific credibility, and strategic impact.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in scientific affairs, regulatory affairs, public policy, government affairs, nutrition policy, or related functions within the food and beverage industry.
• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, policy development processes, scientific advocacy, and consumer dynamics impacting the North American food and beverage industry.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic advocacy and external engagement initiatives in complex, matrixed organizations.
• Strong leadership capabilities with experience aligning cross-functional stakeholders around enterprise priorities; prior experience leading small teams.
• Strong influencing capabilities with the ability to challenge the status quo.
• Sounds judgement under regulatory ambiguity.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate technical or regulatory topics into clear business implications and executive recommendations.
• Strong executive presence and ability to represent the company effectively with policymakers, regulators, trade associations, scientific experts, NGOs, and other external organizations.
• Bachelor’s degree required in Food Science, Nutrition Science, Regulatory Affairs, Public Health, Chemistry, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.

Skills:

Pay Range:

Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

Annual Incentive Reference Value Percentage:

Annual Incentive reference value is a market-based competitive value for your role. It falls in the middle of the range for your role, indicating performance at target.

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Our Purpose and Growth Culture:

We are taking deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in our company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. We act with a growth mindset, take an expansive approach to what’s possible and believe in continuous learning to improve our business and ourselves. We focus on four key behaviors – curious, empowered, inclusive and agile – and value how we work as much as what we achieve. We believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive after 130+ years. Visit Our Purpose and Vision to learn more about these behaviors and how you can bring them to life in your next role at Coca-Cola.

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The Coca-Cola Company is a global community of passionate employees who are refreshing the world and making a difference every day. Innovation has been at the heart of our story since 1886. It goes beyond new flavors and brands. Learn more about our system and how we’re making an impact.

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