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.

The Coca-Cola Company will not offer sponsorship for employment status (including, but not limited to, H1-B visa status and other employment-based nonimmigrant visas) for this position. Accordingly, all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and must not require The Coca-Cola Company's sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

Skills:

Pay Range:
United States: 176,000 - 205,000 USD


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:
30

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):
United States of America

City/Cities:
Atlanta

Travel Required:
26% - 50%

Relocation Provided:
Yes

Job Posting End Date:
November 6, 2026

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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. When we collect your personal information as part of a job application or offer of employment, we do so in accordance with industry standards and best practices and in compliance with applicable privacy laws.