Senior Director Scientific Affairs

Dairy Management•Rosemont, IL

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

The National Dairy Council (NDC) is seeking a Senior Director for Scientific Affairs to report to the Senior Vice President for Scientific Affairs. This role will be instrumental in amplifying research about dairy's health benefits and integrating knowledge and expertise in nutrition, product, and environmental research. The strength of dairy science within nutrition guidance is foundational to the work of the Scientific Affairs function, whose main aim is to protect and maintain dairy's position in domestic and global food-based dietary guidelines. The Senior Director will have a strategic leadership role in the overall nutrition guidance strategy development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. This position will provide strategic guidance to educate scientists, health professionals, and the dairy community about dairy's role in sustainable diets nationally and globally. The role fosters cross-functional collaboration and integration of Scientific Affairs with Nutrition Research, Nutrition Affairs, Sustainability Affairs, and Communications teams, as well as other dairy partners and food and nutrition key opinion leaders. The candidate will represent the dairy community for Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) and National Dairy Council, as appropriate. DMI is funded by America's dairy farmers and dairy importers, working to increase demand for dairy through research, education, and innovation. NDC, a non-profit organization founded by dairy farmers, has been committed to research-based nutrition education and communications since 1915, dedicated to a healthy, happy, sustainable world with science as its foundation.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in related disciplines such as food and nutrition, agriculture, public health/policy, food systems
Master’s degree in nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, or related studies
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Research background and experience in science translation and thought leader education
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Strategic and analytical thinker who can translate complex science into credible, engaging information to educate expert and scientific thought leaders
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
Demonstrated capacity to be self-directed within a team and have a passion for collaborative efforts
Analytical and technical skills essential

Nice To Haves

Experience in global nutrition and food systems work is a plus
CPG experience is a plus

Responsibilities

Translate science and develop science-based content on dairy’s role in a healthy diet and sustainable food system
Act as an expert scientific resource on dairy and contribute scientific expertise and leadership to NDC’s nutrition guidance strategy
Lead in science writing of key knowledge products that amplify the latest science on the role of dairy foods in health, wellness and sustainable food systems e.g., science summaries, public comment
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Nutrition Research, Nutrition Affairs, Sustainability Affairs and Communications team to interpret and translate science to develop educational resources, POVs and scientific symposia (e.g., ASN)
Evaluate new relevant studies published in peer-reviewed literature; educate dairy community on implications, as needed
Ensure research outcomes are credible, peer-reviewed, and communicated effectively to scientific and regulatory audiences
Author papers for peer-review journals and partner with key opinion leaders to draft and finalize consensus, perspectives and proceeding papers to amplify dairy science
Educate key opinion leaders about science on dairy’s role in heath, wellness and sustainable food systems
Develop outreach and education programs for expert and scientific audiences on priority topics
Create and execute scientific symposia at key scientific meetings
Oversee development of literature reviews, meta-analyses and symposia proceedings
Organize and implement science roundtables about new and emerging areas of research on dairy foods
Identify and engage with respected scientists, academics and health professional organizations with relevant expertise that complements internal capabilities to fill knowledge gaps, as needed
Attend scientific and other authoritative meetings of existing and emerging organizations focused on health and sustainability; review relevant authoritative reports and policy documents; submit public comments as appropriate
Support advancing amplification of dairy science in global food systems, food-based dietary guidelines, and relevant global efforts and initiatives.
Advance NDC deliverables supporting global dairy industry partner priorities
Monitor global food-based dietary guidelines approaches and their impact on US nutrition guidance processes
Stay abreast of emerging global food systems research and implications for dairy
Assist with nutrition/health metrics & indicators work to advance it across the dairy industry and encourage adoption within key global frameworks
Assist with science-based education and engagement, including global reports and events support
Lead internal and external partnerships to advance nutrition guidance priorities
Position NDC as a trusted thought leader in nutrition, health, and sustainability
Lead technical team that supports nutrition guidance process
Support Enterprise-wide development of nutrition guidance priority outcomes and coordination of implementation
Build relationships with key opinion leaders, health professional organizations (e.g. American Society for Nutrition), and academic societies aligned with NRSA team strategic plans
Serve as NDC representative in key partner organizational convenings and committees