External Communications Sr Director

Overview

PepsiCo is defining what it means to be a modern CPG company: a forward-thinking, agile and connected organization. With a global workforce and thousands of products across our portfolio, bringing our brands to shelves is a complex task. To remain fit for the future, we are fundamentally rethinking our processes from seed to shelf.

Driving this evolution is our global Strategy and Transformation team, which spans digital, strategy, data & AI, cybersecurity, transformation and more. The Sr. Director, Global Strategy & Transformation (S&T) Communications is an integral leadership role this high-visibility cross-functional team, responsible for leading the communications strategy for PepsiCo's technology-enabled transformation efforts.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Vice President of Global External Communications, the Sr. Director, Global S&T Communications will:

• Serve on Global Communications extended leadership team and represent Communications on the leadership team of our Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer.
• Establish an external Communications (earned and owned) strategy that advances our digitalization and business transformation agenda, including leading press engagement with influential, global-reaching media, both reactively and proactively.
• Work with our Employee Communications team to develop innovative, global internal Communications strategies to drive awareness and understanding of our S&T agenda with all PepsiCo employees, from frontline to executive.
• Proactive story-mining with global, local and third-party partners to identify, develop and publicize examples of PepsiCo's S&T initiatives in external channels.
• Work closely with technology and S&T leaders and their teams to create communications materials that highlight the impact of technical progress and articulate how technology is driving business innovation.
• Develop and execute an executive visibility strategy that positions of Chief S&T Officer and other key executives as thought leaders in key areas (AI, digitalization, business strategy, change management), including overseeing social media strategies.
• Co-develop content that will drive engagement, bolster PepsiCo's reputation and establish PEP executives as thought leaders in relevant S&T, technology and business themes, including but not limited to bylines, podcasts, videos, speaking platforms, event sponsorships and activations, etc.
• Oversee the development and timely delivery of S&T messaging and communication tools to global
• Corporate Affairs colleagues and other internal stakeholders to drive narrative consistency across all channels and geographies.
• Act as strategic advisor on external strategies, media responses and materials related to technology (AI) from market and brand teams to ensure alignment to global narrative.
• Lead a team of highly motivated professionals and effectively manage agency/partner relationships.

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $151,200 - $300,000.
• 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 35% of annual salary paid out annually.
  and an additional target payout of 15% 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.
  A company car and reimbursed mileage.

Qualifications

Key Skills/Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Previous PR/communications experience with a technology-driven company or client(s).
• 15+ years in a dynamic news-making environment with proven experience in generating positive media coverage; experience with crisis management.
• Savvy media engagement skills, including direct interaction with trade, consumer and top tier business media.
• Hands-on experience developing external communications strategic plans and materials, including but not limited to press releases, media lists, pitches and messaging.
• Hands-on experience developing holistic internal communications strategic plans and materials, particularly across a broad employee base.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, particularly under tight deadlines and through the lens of general public, employees and KOLs.
• Deep understanding of the media landscape and interconnectivity between paid, earned, social and owned approaches.
• An awareness of the challenges facing global food and beverage companies.

What it Takes to Thrive in this Role:

• This role is ideal for an individual who has a strong background in both technology and communications, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex, technical information into compelling, easily digestible narratives for both technical and non-technical audiences, including employees.
• Strategic thinking and strong stakeholder relationship skills.
• Ability to stay on top of evolving trends in technology and media.
• Self-starter mentality. Storyteller. Inquisitive by nature. Global mindset. Collaborative. Resourceful. Multi-tasker.
• Comfort engaging with top-tier media and shaping, course-correcting and landing favorable media coverage.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to learn, assess and articulate complex, technical topics and information in a compelling and concise way.
• A collaborative mindset and experience working in cross-functional teams and managing relationships with technical, operational, and leadership teams
• Grace under pressure, executive presence and comfort around senior executives.
• Strong decision-making and resourceful, problem-solving skills.
• Highest-level of interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to embrace ambiguity and to be nimble given shifting priorities, new assignments and challenging business landscape.