Senior Director, Strategy & Planning

Job Description Summary

This position is based in Atlanta, Georgia, reporting to the SVP of Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability (PACS) for the North America Operating Unit (NAOU).

The Senior Director, Strategy & Planning will serve as a key team leader in driving strategic initiatives, business planning, and operational excellence for the function. The role also acts as Chief of Staff to the SVP, ensuring operational excellence, team alignment, and execution of key priorities in a fast-paced, networked environment.

Ideal Candidate

• Proven experience working with senior executives and managing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong project and program management skills with the ability to lead through ambiguity and change.
• Highly organized with a passion for continual improvement and operational rigor.
• Excellent communicator (verbal and written skills) and collaborator with strong influencing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and drive engagement in a networked, agile environment.
• High integrity, discretion, and ability to manage confidential information.

• Strategic Leadership: Serve as a strategic advisor to the SVP and PACS leadership team by acting as the primary liaison with internal and external stakeholders, including executive leadership, bottlers, and global PACS teams. Lead and align strategic priorities with business outcomes.
• Business Planning & Governance: Spearhead the annual business planning process and lead robust governance routines. Ensure implementation aligns with the organization's objectives and budget considerations.
• Strategic Initiatives and Project Leadership: Lead key strategic initiatives including capability building, change management and PACS wide initiatives. Drive innovation and continuous improvement to support organizational growth and development. Craft clear and impactful white papers, strategic plans, and project outlines. Lead cross-functional projects, working closely with various teams to ensure everyone is aligned and moving toward shared goals.

• Financial Stewardship: Oversee department budgeting and financial management. Develop a strategic budget plan that aligns resources to priority initiatives and ensures compliance with internal financial processes.
• Internal Communications: Lead weekly communications to the Executive Leadership Team and Global PACS Leadership, providing updates on departmental developments, priorities, and progress. Manage internal messaging, town halls, and team engagement on behalf of the SVP.
• Operational Leadership: Manage leadership routines, team meetings, and cross-functional programs to enhance clarity, accountability, and operational progress toward objectives. Support team in allocating their time to high-priority initiatives and ensuring they flex across groups to support business needs.
• Culture & Engagement: Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture through systems, routines, and development opportunities.
• Team facilitation and management: Guide and support the team through strategic projects and initiatives, acting as a mentor and facilitator to enable progress and delivery across PACS. As the team evolves, prepare to transition into a direct line management role.

• Experience: 10+ years in PACS, Strategy or Operations related roles, with experience working with senior executives and engaging cross-functional teams. All backgrounds will be considered if the appropriate skillsets can be demonstrated.
• Skills: Project/program management, executive communications - excellent writing skills are a must, strong stakeholder engagement, agile ways of working