Portfolio Brand Communications, Associate Manager

Overview

This isn't a one-brand role. It's an entire pantry—filled with brands people genuinely reach for, obsess over, and have been loyal to for decades. 

As a Portfolio Brand Communications Manager at PepsiCo Foods U.S., you’ll be the connective tissue between some of the most beloved snack brands in America and the executives, marketers, and media who help bring them to life. 

This role is built for a strategic communicator who thinks in systems, not just campaigns. You’ll develop insight-driven programs that work across brands, ladder up to priorities, and support the leaders who are shaping the future of snacking. From earned media and influencer strategy to executive visibility and corporate storytelling, you’ll help PepsiCo Foods U.S. show up with a clear, confident voice—in culture and in the boardroom. 

No two days will look alike. One week you’re shaping the narrative behind a major innovation launch; the next you’re counseling a senior leader before a high-stakes media interview or identifying the white-space opportunity that turns a business priority into a headline. Across it all, you’ll be the person who takes complexity and makes it feel inevitable. 

We’re looking for someone with strong media instincts, a bias toward earned-first thinking, and the presence to influence across a highly matrixed organization. You’re as comfortable in a strategy session as you are on deadline—and you bring both craft and confidence to everything you do. 

This role reports to the Director of Brand Communications, Growth Portfolio and can be based in Plano, TX; Purchase, NY; or Chicago, IL. 

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary communications advisor to PFUS marketing teams, providing portfolio-level and executive communications counsel aligned to PFUS business priorities
• Lead earned-first communications planning across assigned brands and portfolio platforms, identifying white-space opportunities and developing proactive storylines that drive cultural relevance and brand equity
• Build and execute communications plans that leverage creative ideas, earned media, and influencers to support new campaigns, innovation launches, and PFUS growth priorities
• Act as the day-to-day PR lead, making informed decisions on messaging, spokesperson strategy, and media engagement, with oversight from senior leadership
• Build and steward strong media relationships; story-mine, pitch, and secure coverage with top-tier national, consumer, and trade outlets across brand and portfolio narratives
• Plan and execute high-impact media moments and executive engagements, including launches, events, and visibility opportunities
• Serve as the primary point of contact for PR agencies, setting strategic direction, elevating creative output, and holding partners accountable for results, rigor, speed, and disciplined budget management
• Oversee review of external-facing social, influencer, partnership, and sponsorship content, applying strong judgment to identify and mitigate reputational risk
• Support crisis and issues communications as needed, contributing sound judgment, scenario planning, and executional discipline
• Partner closely with internal communications, corporate communications, and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure aligned, cohesive storytelling across brands and the PFUS portfolio
• Measure performance against defined objectives and deliver clear, actionable reporting and insights to key stakeholders
• Stay ahead of relevant cultural, industry, and current-event trends to inform programming and real-time opportunities 

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $93,500 - $156,450.
• Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
• Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 10% of annual salary paid out annually.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, preferably in Communications, Journalism, or Public Relations
• 5–7 years of progressive PR experience managing brand and/or portfolio communications within a fast-moving consumer goods environment
• Proven