One approach is outlined here:
https://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/153444/insert-newpage-before-section-but-prevent-pagebreak-after-part

Create a file sectionbreaks.tex containing the following:

%%%%
\usepackage{etoolbox}
\newtoggle{afterpart}
\pretocmd{\section}
  {\iftoggle{afterpart}
    {\global\togglefalse{afterpart}}% we're after a part
    {\clearpage}% we're not immediately after a part
  }{}{}
\pretocmd{\part}
  {\clearpage % do a page break
   \global\toggletrue{afterpart}% tell \section we're just after a part
  }
  {}{}\usepackage{etoolbox}
%%%%

Then call pandoc with -H sectionsbreaks.tex -o whatever.pdf


Gabriel Volpe <volpegabriel-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w@public.gmane.org> writes:

> Is there anything like --epub-chapter-level but for PDF outputs?
>
> I really like how I can set up the level in which to split the different
> pages and I would love if I could do the same for PDF.
>
> Thanks!
>
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