Director, Consumer Communications

The Director, Consumer Communications leads the development and implementation of integrated consumer communications (Brand PR) strategies across the North America Operating Unit (U.S. and Canada). This role drives an earned-first approach to building consumer preference, brand love, and corporate reputation across our portfolio.

As a key member of the North America Communications team, this role partners closely with marketing, cross-functional stakeholders, and agency partners to deliver culturally relevant, high-impact communications that connect our brands to consumers and drive business results.

What You'll Do for Us

• Develop and lead integrated consumer communications strategies for NAOU brands and priority initiatives, leveraging earned media, social amplification, and cultural storytelling to drive relevance, demand, and advocacy.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior marketing and communications leaders-shaping narratives, messaging, and communications strategies that support brand and business objectives.

• Create and activate breakthrough communications moments that connect brands to culture, with a strong emphasis on sports, entertainment, partnerships, and influencer ecosystems.

• Drive proactive, earned-first media engagement strategies to strengthen brand visibility, credibility, and cultural relevance across key audiences.

• Lead agency strategy and performance, managing multiple partners to deliver cohesive, high-quality work aligned to brand and campaign objectives.

• Operate effectively within a highly matrixed and networked organization-aligning stakeholders across Marketing, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability (PACS), bottling partners, and global teams to ensure consistency and impact.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key media, industry partners, and external stakeholders to amplify brand narratives.

• Ensure communications are fully integrated with colleagues, bottling partners, customers, and system partners, to ensure alignment and consistency across the Coca-Cola system.

• Support issues and crisis communications as needed, partnering with cross-functional teams to help assess risk, shape messaging, and protect brand and corporate reputation.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to anticipate and mitigate reputational risk, providing communications input on campaigns, partnerships, and talent engagement.

• Continuously monitor cultural, media, and social trends to identify opportunities for real-time engagement and rapid-response communications.

• Define and track success metrics, translating performance insights into clear recommendations to optimize communications effectiveness and impact.

• Proven experience (10+ years) in consumer communications with a strong track record of delivering impactful, earned-led campaigns (agency and/or in-house).

• Deep expertise in sports and entertainment communications, with demonstrated success leveraging cultural platforms, talent, and partnerships to drive brand relevance.

• Strong experience managing multiple agency partners and leading integrated agency ecosystems to deliver against business goals.

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and align senior leaders and cross-functional teams in a complex, matrixed environment.

• Demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted advisor-translating business objectives, consumer insights, and cultural trends into clear communications strategies.

• Strong business acumen, with the ability to connect communications strategies to brand, marketing, and commercial objectives.

• Experience supporting issues and crisis communications, with strong judgment and the ability to operate effectively in sensitive or fast-moving situations.

• Experience operating in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, balancing multiple priorities and delivering at speed.

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including experience engaging and advising executive audiences.

• High level of judgment, collaboration, and influence to build trust and drive results across the organization.

• Bachelor of Arts or Sciences in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field (or equivalent experience).