Employment Law Director

About the Company

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

PepsiCo’s Law and Compliance & Ethics function is a critical business partner, enabling strategic objectives while protecting the company legally, ethically, and reputationally. Our team is deeply embedded across the business, with dedicated legal professionals aligned to business units, markets, and specialized practice areas to deliver practical, solutions-oriented counsel. We leverage technology, simplify and modernize processes, and evolve our capabilities to meet the changing needs of the business and deliver best-in-class legal support.

About the Role

This position is a hybrid role (minimum 3 days/week in office) with a preference for the selected candidate to be based in the Plano, TX area. By joining our best-in-class Employment Law and Human Rights team, you will:

• Ensure legal compliance with employment and labor laws with corporate, global, and field-based clients, including support of the People (HR) function’s Centers of Excellence.
• Provide effective counsel to the business in all areas of employment law, including EEO, anti-harassment and retaliation, wage and hour, ADA and religious accommodations, leave rights, wrongful termination, performance management, disciplinary issues, non-competition and non-solicitation issues, various state, federal, and global laws, and any other employment-related matters.
• Assist the Company with its Code of Conduct and compliance initiatives.
• Formulate and draft policies and training on employment law topics, including providing capability-building and training sessions presented both in person and online.
• Effectively and efficiently manage employment litigation, including setting litigation strategy, oversight of outside counsel, and mediation and resolution of claims on single-plaintiff and class/collective action cases.
• Advise the Company regarding legal analysis and document creation related to restructuring activity.
• Oversee the Company’s responses to administrative charges and represent the Company before governmental agencies.
• Conduct investigations, create and/or facilitate employment law-related trainings, and handle special projects as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, practical guidance to stakeholders at all levels of the organization on a broad range of U.S. employment law issues (e.g., EEO, wage and hour, accommodations, leave, performance management, restructuring, and separations).
• Manage and resolve employment-related disputes, including negotiating settlements with opposing counsel and/or government agencies.
• Draft and advise on employment-related agreements, policies, and handbooks.
• Counsel HR and business leaders on day-to-day employment issues and risk mitigation.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar in good standing.
• 4+ years of relevant legal experience, including law firm and/or in-house practice with a focus on U.S. employment law.
• Demonstrated experience advising on a broad range of U.S. employment law issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior in-house employment law experience supporting large, complex organizations.
• Experience managing employment litigation or administrative charges, including working with outside counsel.
• Experience drafting and advising on employment-related agreements, policies, and handbooks.
• Experience counseling HR and business leaders on day-to-day employment issues and risk mitigation.
• Exposure to multi-state employment law issues or systemic risk areas (e.g., accommodations, investigations).

Pay

The expected compensation range for this position is between $132,200 - $262,400. Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting the actual starting salary.

• Bonus based on performance and eligibility: target payout is 25% of annual salary paid out annually, with an additional target payout of 10% of annual salary paid out over 3 years following the end of the performance period.
• Long-term incentive equity may be awarded based on eligibility and performance.

Benefits

In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support 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.
• Paid time off, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.

Schedule

Hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in the office, with a preference for the selected candidate to be based in the Plano, TX area.