Communications Manager - Research & Development Employee Communications

Overview

The Manager, R&D Employee Communications, will lead the development and execution of strategic employee communications that strengthen engagement, understanding, and advocacy across PepsiCo's global Research & Development organization.

 

Reporting to the Senior Director, Enterprise & Leader Communications, this role will partner closely with senior R&D and pep+ Sustainability leaders and Global Employee Communications to translate complex science, innovation, portfolio transformation, and business priorities into compelling stories and meaningful employee experiences.

 

This individual will serve as a trusted communications advisor, helping elevate R&D's impact across PepsiCo while driving alignment, culture, and organizational effectiveness.

 

 

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Storytelling

 

• Lead the R&D employee communications strategy, aligning communications to business priorities, transformation initiatives, and organizational goals.
• Develop integrated communication plans, campaigns, and content that simplify complex science and innovation topics for diverse employee audiences.
• Build and manage an annual R&D communications calendar tied to key business milestones, innovation launches, and enterprise priorities.
• Identify and amplify stories that showcase R&D's impact on growth, innovation, sustainability, and consumer-centric transformation.

 

Leadership Communications & Employee Engagement

 

• Serve as a strategic communications partner to senior R&D leaders, including the Chief Science Officer (CSO) and CSO’s Chief of Staff, providing counsel, messaging support, and executive communications.
• Develop leader communications, town halls, speaking materials, employee updates, and engagement content.
• Design communication approaches that strengthen employee understanding, connection, and confidence during periods of transformation and change.
• Support culture-building initiatives that reinforce R&D's vision, priorities, and ways of working.

 

Content, Channels & Transformation

 

• Partner with Global Employee Communications to leverage enterprise channels, storytelling best practices, editorial planning, and measurement frameworks.
• Drive adoption of modern communications approaches including digital storytelling, social media, video, and employee-generated content.
• Partner with internal and external communications teams to identify opportunities to extend R&D stories across enterprise and external channels when appropriate.
• Measure communication effectiveness and optimize content strategies based on audience insights and engagement data.

 

Compensation and Benefits

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $110,700 - $185,250.
• 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 12% 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 in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• 8-10+ years of communications experience supporting business functions, transformations, executive communications, or employee engagement.
• Experience translating complex technical, scientific, or business topics into clear and compelling communications.
• Strong executive presence and ability to advise senior leaders.
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and content development skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders in a fast-paced, global environment.
• Experience supporting organizational change, transformation, or culture initiatives preferred.
• Knowledge of food, beverage, innovation, science, consumer products, or related industries is a plus.

• This position is limited to persons with indefinite right to work in the United States

 

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Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age

If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.

Please view our Pay Transparency Statement