R&D Vice President at PepsiCo in Purchase, NY

Overview

The Vice President of Medical Affairs will lead the development and execution of strategies that position the organization as a trusted scientific authority in consumer healthcare and clinical nutrition. This role is responsible for setting standards of care, translating internal science into external practice, driving publication strategy, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, including the Sunshine Act. The VP will serve as a key liaison between internal teams and external scientific stakeholders to advance evidence-based practices and enhance the company’s reputation for scientific integrity.

This role will report solidly to PepsiCo’s Chief Medical Officer & SVP Life Sciences.

Responsibilities

Standards of Care:

• Define and implement evidence-based standards of care across all consumer healthcare categories.
• Translate internal scientific insights into actionable Standards of Care (SoC) for external healthcare professionals (HCPs) and medical bodies.
• Collaborate with R&D, medical affairs, and regulatory teams to ensure alignment with global best practices.

Publication Strategy

• Develop and oversee a comprehensive scientific publication plan to support product claims, clinical research, and thought leadership.
• Ensure timely dissemination of high-quality, peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific congresses.
• Follow the established governance for authorship, transparency, and ethical publication practices.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure full compliance with the Sunshine Act and other applicable transparency regulations.
• Implement robust processes for reporting and monitoring interactions with healthcare professionals (HCPs).
• Partner with legal, regulatory and compliance teams to maintain audit readiness and mitigate risk.

Scientific Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs), professional societies, and academic institutions.
• Represent the company at scientific forums, advisory boards, and industry events.
• Drive internal education on scientific trends and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in medicine, life sciences or related field (MD, PharmD preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in medical affairs, scientific engagement, or related roles within consumer healthcare or pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven track record in developing publication strategies and managing compliance programs.
• Deep understanding of global regulatory frameworks, including the Sunshine Act.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinking and scientific rigor with knowledge of application to consumer healthcare products.
• Strong ethical standards and compliance mindset.
• Ability to influence across a matrix organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.