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.
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.