Communications Director, Customer & Commercialization

Overview

We’re looking for an excellent storyteller who has experience working with strategic third-party partners, ideally in the consumer space. This role serves as a leader on the PepsiCo Global Communications and the PepsiCo North America (PNA) Communications team, acting as Communications Business Partner to the North America Customer & Commercialization teams at the executive level. Serves as functional expert on North America initiatives for PepsiCo at large and leads major programs for the North America region, covering U.S. and Canada.

The leader must be a well-rounded expert in key communications disciplines, including media relations, strategy development, executive visibility, messaging and crisis communications. As part of this matrixed role, the leader must have extensive experience managing a cross-functional team and agency resources to deliver against both operational and functional goals.

Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience modernizing communications programs to go beyond the traditional PR approach. Understanding the evolving media landscape and targeting key audiences with a data-driven outreach strategy are critical to this role. Must have hands-on media relations experience across traditional and emerging outlets and ability to develop the same in others.

Responsibilities

• Promoting and protecting reputation of PepsiCo in the North America region, inclusive the Foods and Beverages portfolio
• Contributing to the promotion and protection of the PepsiCo brand in partnership with Global Communications and North America Communications team, inclusive of PepsiCo Beverages U.S. (PBUS), PepsiCo Foods U.S. (PFUS) and PepsiCo Canada
• Serving as a senior leader within Global Communications and member of the PepsiCo North America Communications leadership team
• Driving North America-specific corporate reputation communications initiatives, as well as overseeing executive communications across North America Customer & Commercialization teams to drive consistent messaging from C-suite through entire organization
• Leading cross-functional communications team and managing PR agency support to ensure proactive external storytelling opportunities and thought leadership
• Managing proactive communications program creation and message development for PepsiCo Customer & Commercialization narrative/storytelling and executive thought-leadership platforms to actively promote PepsiCo reputation with consumers, customers and employees
• Providing executive counsel and preparedness for internal/external issues and crisis management

Compensation & Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $125,900 - $249,900.
• 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 25% of annual salary paid out annually and an additional target payout of 10% of annual salary is paid out over
• 3 years following the end of the performance period.
• Long term incentive equity may be awarded based on eligibility and performance.
• 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

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year College or University, preferably with focus on Communications/Journalism/PR
• 10+ years of PR experience managing corporate reputation communications at large corporate entity or agency with large corporate clients (fast-moving consumer goods category preferred)
• Expert in key communications disciplines like media relations, strategy development, executive visibility, messaging and crisis communications
• Experience in corporate reputation matters relevant to PepsiCo Foods including labor, sustainability, nutrition, R&D, manufacturing, growth and innovation and proven ability to serve as counselor to senior executives
• Outstanding media relations skills including strategic planning, managing complex issues, mitigating negative stories and the ability to storymine
• Strong expertise in strategic influencer and key opinion leader communications
• Unique experiences that demonstrate media instincts