Public Affairs & Communications Director

Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company, LLC; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company, LLC in Houston is seeking a Public Affairs & Communications Director to lead external and internal engagement, sustainability initiatives, and crisis management for the South Market Unit. You will partner with executives, government affairs teams, media, and communities to protect and grow the company’s reputation.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree with 10 years of related experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to travel 50–60%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 10 years of related experience.
• 50–60% travel; some weekend and night work required.
• Strong knowledge of Coca‑Cola business and system, industry and positions on major issues.
• Strong communicator, collaborator and understanding of cross-territory political processes.
• Excellent interpersonal relationships and communication skills.
• Negotiation, problem solving and crisis management skills.
• Empowerment and decision making personality.
• Proficient in Spanish preferred, not required.
• Ability to travel approximately 50–60%, including periodic travel to Atlanta, GA, and Washington, D.C.

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate key messages and company positioning to stakeholders.
• Create and implement a Market Unit strategy for external engagement, media relations, and risk trends.
• Represent the company to industry trade associations, business and non-profit organizations, and public boards.
• Manage community giving and donations with assessment and deployment.
• Lead trainings for public speaking, media relations, and ambassador programs.
• Build relationships with Coca‑Cola System components to advance PACS priorities.
• Coordinate institutional events involving external and internal stakeholders.
• Lead strategic engagement with media and be a spokesperson for the Market Unit.

Skills

Public affairs

Communications

Sustainability

Risk management

Media relations

Stakeholder engagement

Crisis management

Government relations

Strategic thought leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

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Public Affairs & Communications Director

Date: Oct 1, 2026

Location: Houston, (Northpoint), TX, US, 77038

General Purpose

The Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability (PACS) South Market Unit Director role serve as a specialist in several key areas focused in external and internal stakeholders in order to maintain the local operations social license to operate by strengthen its reputation (business, categories, community initiatives, corporate brand equity etc.), by actively lead shared value and sustainability initiatives (word without waste, water, community outreach etc.), by turning threats into opportunities to shape policy (taxes, regulations, norms, prohibitions etc.) and by an efficient risk, crisis and incident management in the Market Unit to support AC corporate efforts to create an environment in which our business, across all categories, can grow unencumbered.
In conjunction with Corporate, CCSWB ELT and other system partners, this position works to enhance relationships and engagement with all bi-national (as one of the key audiences for AC being the only binational MEX-USA bottler to date*), federal, state and local stakeholders regarding the reputation of the Arca Continental-CCSWB and the industry.
Also serves as an important business partner supporting our President and CEO, the Market Unit Director and CCSWB market unit as whole (areas, plants, sales centers) focusing on government relations/issues management, risk/crisis management, stakeholder advocacy and engagement, sustainability platform, media relations, brand PR and local community giving investment strategy.
Ensures the sustainability of Arca Continental’s operations, promoting shared value generation and positive impact among stakeholders as well as the environment. Identify, manage and mitigate social and environmental risks within the company, associates, communities and value chain are key to transform those risks into value generations and reputation opportunities. Arca Continental shall be recognized as a sustainability leader.
Manage and positively impact the Company’s reputation and relationships with key stakeholders to proactively address business issues and opportunities and mitigate negative impact on the business by being the representative of the Company in several industry and community organizations, through direct engagement or by developing key engagement platforms for specific issues. (Build coalitions and grassroots for advocacy).
Partner with all MU´s areas to create and execute the shared value and sustainability strategy and projects to convey the positive impact AC/CCSWB’s network, products and innovations have on the community to generate solid proof points that support reputation and public affairs strategy in each market. manage or minimize social, environmental or legislative threats. Also, this position will coordinate all sustainability data gathering for the MU to comply with external certifications (Robeco, MSCI, GRI, FTSE4Good etc.) and represent the company before stakeholders related to social responsibility and sustainability issues. (Shared Value and Sustainability strategy and plan)
Permanently lead crisis and incident prevention and resolution (IMCR external engagement) in Market Unit by conducting risk and vulnerability assessment/management to minimize or mitigate impact of the most pressing potential scenarios. (alerts with senior level counsel to management around key risks or issues, determine best way to handle issues on the business’ behalf, etc.) and by being the lead responsible to handle media inquiries and outreach to public agencies as one of the main spokespersons (Other than MU´s GM) and liaison of the Market Unit with external stakeholders. This responsibility requ

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, manage and enable delivery of key messages/company positioning to important stakeholder audiences to clearly define and communicate Company’s strategic business priorities (Direct content generation and strategy for external and internal ELT and company participation regarding issues impacting business, its reputation, specific events or crisis etc.), while also promoting, reaffirming economic footprint, sustainability commitments, bi-national relations* and public policy agenda as one of the key spokespersons representing the point of view of the Market Unit or AC/CCSWB in general. (Define company voice and narrative to stakeholders)
• Develop and put in place a dedicated Market Unit strategy, plan and actions to address public affairs, communications, sustainability and risks trends, challenges and opportunities to strengthen MU growth, trust and assure partnerships between civil society, governments and business. (Integral plan for external engagement, build and maintain relationships with relevant media, government communication officers and other third parties to help shape the perceptions of key allies and critics.)
• Represent the Company/Market Unit and provide strategic guidance and support on select issues with industry trade associations, business and non-profit organizations and public boards to enhance Industry an Company position to avoid taxes and discriminatory regulations, bans, restrictions, labeling, and environment/social issues. (Foster industry defense and advocacy in common threats)
• Manage all Market Unit community giving contributions and donations providing assessment, approvals and deployment.
• Direct, plan and standardize the trainings and for public speaking, message development, Media Relations, Ambassador programs, external risk management; provide resources for facility leaders to proactively engage stakeholders and build
• relationships to address business issues and minimize or mitigate risks towards the business. (Media relations and MU internal and external communications)
• Build effective relationships with TCCC, Bottlers and key constituencies within the US KO System to improve identification of key PACS priorities while delivering solutions that drive business growth. (System coordination)
• Coordinate and lead Institutional events involving external and internal stakeholders (visits, plant openings, community, schools and associates events etc.)
• Building Capabilities for our leaders to be Ambassadors for the company; build capabilities of beverage association board members and SAOs
• Lead a process that creates alignment on Key Issues and Priorities in the market unit & with industry partners
• Manage Relationships with local Media and provide strategic engagement plans
• Provide Strategic Thought Leadership for Engagement with Beverage and Industry Associations
• Invest in Strategic Charitable Giving and ensure an annual plan for activation of priorities
• Provide Strategic Proactive and Reactive Issues Management
• Engage National Customers, Suppliers and others in our efforts
• Deliver local relevant PR extensions for key big bets and brand programs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 10 years’ related experience
• 50-60% of time travelling; some weekend and night work required
• Strong knowledge of Coca-Cola business and system, industry and positions on major issues
• Strong communicator, collaborator and understanding of cross-territory political processes.
• Excellent interpersonal relationships and communication skills
• Negotiation, problem solving and crisis management skills
• Empowerment and decision making personality
• Proficient in Spanish preferred, not required
• Mustmaintainaflexibleschedule,includingoccasionaleveningsandweekendsasbusinessneedsrequire.
• Abilitytotravelapproximately50–60%,includingperiodictraveltoAtlanta,GA,andWashington,D.C.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain Texas or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages. Please inform us at [e-mail] if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in this application process.

Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.