Senior Director, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs: Advocacy Strategy

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.

• →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.

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

Location(s):

Travel Required:

Relocation Provided:

Job Posting End Date:

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.