At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and resource allocation for Coca-Cola's Europe Operating Unit.
- Company: Join Coca-Cola, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to making a difference.
- Benefits: High-impact role with exposure to senior leaders and a collaborative culture.
- Other info: Flexible location with opportunities for continuous learning and growth.
- Why this job: Shape strategic decisions and drive consumer impact across Europe.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in strategic planning or finance; strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
This job is with Coca-Cola, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
Our Purpose and Growth Culture:
We are taking deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in our company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. We act with a growth mindset, take an expansive approach to what's possible and believe in continuous learning to improve our business and ourselves. We focus on four key behaviors - curious, empowered, inclusive and agile - and value how we work as much as what we achieve. We believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive after 130+ years.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do 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.
Role Purpose:
The Director, PACS Strategic Planning & Resource Allocation is a critical Europe Operating Unit leadership role accountable for strengthening the strategic backbone of the PACS function. The role drives clarity, discipline, and alignment across planning, prioritization, and resourcing-ensuring PACS delivers maximum impact against Europe OU business priorities, reputation objectives, and long-term license to operate. Operating at the intersection of strategy, finance, and enterprise governance, this role orchestrates Europewide PACS planning processes, including the Annual Business Plan (ABP) and Long Range Plan (LRP). The Director ensures strong integration across system partners, bottlers, and networked businesses (including Innocent and Costa), positioning PACS as a proactive, value creating business partner. Through robust resource allocation, governance, and performance routines, the role enables leaders to make informed trade-offs, deploy investments where they matter most, and deliver locally relevant, sustainable impact across diverse European markets.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Planning & Enterprise Alignment: Lead the Europe PACS ABP and LRP processes, ensuring alignment with Europe OU priorities, system strategies, and bottling partner plans. Translate Europe OU strategic priorities into clear PACS objectives, investment choices, and execution roadmaps. Enable disciplined prioritization across markets and workstreams, balancing short term needs with long term value creation.
- Resource Allocation & Financial Governance: Design and lead a Europe PACS resource allocation strategy across DME and OPEX, consistent with system-aligned priorities and focused on maximizing impact. Establish clear governance, processes, and decision forums to guide investment choices and trade offs - acting as change agent to get buy-in on investment choices and revised ways of working. Oversee PACS budget planning, tracking, and performance management, ensuring transparency and accountability with all budget owners (central and local).
- Routines, Processes & Ways of Working: Orchestrate core PACS operating routines to maximize efficiency, clarity, and cross functional collaboration. Integrate network and system teams-including Innocent, Costa, bottlers, and market PACS leaders-into consistent, effective planning rhythms. Drive continuous improvement of planning tools, templates, and processes to simplify ways of working and elevate strategic focus.
- Stakeholder & System Leadership: Act as a strategic partner to PACS, Finance, and Strategy leaders across the Europe OU. Provide clear, data driven insights to senior leadership to support decision making and performance discussions. Build strong, trust based relationships across the system to drive alignment and shared accountability.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Strategy, Finance, Public Affairs, Communications, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic planning, business operations, finance, or enterprise governance within a large, complex organization.
- Proven experience leading multimarket or regional planning and resource allocation processes.
- Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets, investment frameworks, and performance tracking.
- Ability to drive change and operate at enterprise level, influencing senior leaders and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
- Highly structured, analytical thinker with strong judgment and the ability to simplify complexity.
- Experience in FMCG, consumer facing, or matrixed global organizations strongly preferred.
What We Can Do For You:
A high impact Europe OU leadership role shaping how PACS delivers strategic and consumer relevant impact at scale. The opportunity to influence enterprise level decision making across one of Coca-Cola's most complex operating units. Exposure to senior Europe OU and system leaders within a collaborative, high performance, values driven culture.
Location(s): United Kingdom City/Cities: London Travel Required: 00% - 25% Relocation Provided: No Job Posting End Date: September 2, 2026.
Director, PACS, Strategic Planning & Resource Allocation employer: Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is an exceptional employer that champions inclusivity and continuous growth, making it a fantastic place for professionals seeking meaningful careers. With a strong focus on collaboration and empowerment, employees are encouraged to embrace a growth mindset while contributing to impactful strategic initiatives across Europe. The company's rich culture, built on values of curiosity and agility, ensures that every team member can thrive and develop within a supportive environment, all while being part of a globally recognised brand with over 130 years of history.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, PACS, Strategic Planning & Resource Allocation
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
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✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Coca-Cola.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
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We think you need these skills to ace Director, PACS, Strategic Planning & Resource Allocation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Coca-Cola.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Coca-Cola. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coca-Cola
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Coca-Cola, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Coca-Cola, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Coca-Cola could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Coca-Cola as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
