R&D/Innovation Data & Analytics, Senior Director

Join The Coca-Cola Company, a global leader in the beverage industry with a rich legacy of research and innovation. With a portfolio of over 200 brands worldwide, we continue to push boundaries in beverage development, strategy, and analytics through cutting-edge research and development (R&D) initiatives. We are currently seeking a Senior Director of R&D/Innovation – Data & Analytics to spearhead innovative data-driven solutions and unlock transformational growth opportunities across the organization. This leadership role is integral to advancing our R&D agenda by pioneering data science methodologies, conducting applied research, and utilizing strategic analytics at scale. 

If you are passionate about leveraging R&D capabilities and data-driven innovation to shape the future of a global enterprise, we invite you to be part of this exciting journey. 

What You’ll Do for Us 

• Lead and oversee the design, development, and implementation of R&D-driven data architectures, analytical models, and research methodologies, enabling the extraction of actionable insights from complex and diverse data ecosystems. 

• Act as the visionary architect for the Coca-Cola System’s R&D-focused data innovation strategy, driving the adoption of emerging technologies, advanced analytics, and research-driven solutions to power business growth. 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and key leadership, including R&D, Marketing, Operations, and external innovation partners, to co-create data-centric initiatives that align with enterprise and Operating Unit objectives. 

• Lead a portfolio of data research and innovation projects, from proof-of-concept through large-scale deployment, revolutionizing the way analytics is used to inform R&D, product development, and system performance optimization. 

• Identify, evaluate, and scale cutting-edge R&D opportunities across data science domains, incorporating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), advanced statistical modeling, and big data. 

• Develop and execute the annual R&D-focused analytics innovation plan, ensuring alignment with prioritized business objectives and enterprise research Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). 

• Serve as the product owner for all R&D-related data and analytics programs, ensuring solutions are designed with both technical rigor and operational impact in mind. 

• Lead the creation and presentation of business cases for R&D investments, securing funding for groundbreaking research projects and prioritizing high-value opportunities. 

• Establish and maintain data governance and R&D standardization frameworks to ensure that processes drive consistency, quality, and compliance across all research initiatives. 

• Act as the driving force behind the continuous evolution of the Coca-Cola System’s R&D and analytics capabilities, identifying future trends and technologies to stay ahead of the market. 

Qualifications & Requirements 

• Advanced degree required: Bachelor’s (minimum), Master’s or PhD (preferred) in Data Science, Analytics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related quantitative field with a specialization in R&D innovation or advanced analytics. 

• A minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in data and analytics leadership roles, with specific expertise in research-heavy environments that prioritize innovation, R&D methodologies, and data transformation strategies. 

• Strong track record of managing R&D projects involving data exploration, hypothesis testing, and product innovation, demonstrating the ability to take solutions from research through full-scale business adoption. 

• Expertise in advanced R&D methodologies, including experimental design, statistical analysis, machine learning, algorithm development, and technology evaluation. 

• Proven success in developing and delivering R&D-driven solutions, including exploratory and applied research initiatives that have unlocked measurable business growth. 

• Experience managing large-scale, complex R&D portfolios and budgets, with demonstrated ability to prioritize and execute impactful research with cross-functional implications. 

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, including influencing C-suite leaders and aligning data innovation strategies to critical business demands. 

• Proficiency in agile methodologies and product management principles, driving R&D programs from inception to scaled implementation in analytics-heavy contexts. 

Additional Skills  

• Strategic, forward-looking mindset with the ability to identify both current and future R&D opportunities, translating them into actionable insights and solutions. 

• Excellent leadership skills, with experience building and mentoring creative, high-performing R&D teams to tackle complex, ambiguous challenges. 

• Technical literacy to engage knowledgeably in technical discussions, assess research methods, and contribute to architectural decisions regarding system design and methodology. 

• Experience in vendor management and external collaboration, including partnerships with R&D partners, universities, or technology vendors to extend research expertise. 

• Preferably, a working knowledge of global, multinational environments, including leading R&D efforts across geographically distributed teams. 

What We Can Do For You: 

• Career Development: Gain access to industry-leading resources, from global R&D training programs to cutting-edge technologies and professional development opportunities. 

• Be a Catalyst for Change: Be at the forefront of beverage innovation and analytics, spearheading game-changing research that directly influences products, markets, and strategies across the Coca-Cola ecosystem. 

• Global Impact: Collaborate with diverse teams worldwide, contributing to R&D and innovation efforts that create global impact and shape the evolution of Coca-Cola as an industry pioneer. 

• Innovation Hub: Work within a forward-looking, agile environment that champions experimentation, embraces bold ideas, and fosters a culture of iterative innovation through R&D-led analytics. 

At Coca-Cola, we don’t just follow trends—we set them through aspirational R&D, creativity, and the power of data science. If you’re ready to push the limits of what’s possible in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, apply now to join us as a Senior Director of R&D/Innovation – Data & Analytics.