Director, Brand & Innovation
Apply NowCompany: Taco Bell Private
Location: Irvine, CA 92620
Description:
Who is Taco Bell?
Taco Bell was born and raised in California and has been around since 1962. We went from selling everyone's favorite Crunchy Tacos on the West Coast to a global brand with 8,200+ restaurants, 350 franchise organizations, that serve 42+ million fans each week around the globe. We're not only the largest Mexican-inspired quick service brand (QSR) in the world, we're also part of the biggest restaurant group in the world: Yum! Brands.
Much of our fan love and authentic connection with our communities are rooted in being rebels with a cause. From ensuring we use high quality, sustainable ingredients to elevating restaurant technology in ways that hasn't been done before... we will continue to be inclusive, bold, challenge the status quo and push industry boundaries.
We're a company that celebrates and advocates for different, has bold self-expression, strives for a better future, and brings the fun while we're at it. We fuel our culture with real people who bring unique experiences. We inspire and enable our teams and the world to Live Ms.
At Taco Bell, we're Cultural Rebels. Want to join in on the passion-fueled fun? Learn more about the career below.
About the Job:
Taco Bell's renowned marketing team is seeking a dynamic, hands-on, and creative Brand Director of Innovation to lead the company's overall innovation strategy. This individual will oversee both Brand and Product Marketing to drive sustainable growth, elevate core performance, and develop innovative platforms that keep Taco Bell at the forefront of the competitive landscape.
Success in this role demands exceptional leadership, marketing expertise, and an unwavering focus on bold, creative problem-solving. The Director will be responsible for spearheading groundbreaking innovation with a passion for creating impactful products and brand experiences that drive long-term success in collaboration with cross-functional marketing partners (digital, media, PR, CRM, social, insights & analytics, consumer insights).
Lastly, this individual must enjoy mixing work with fun! Taco Bell is very proud of its exciting and innovative culture and is seeking individuals who truly enjoy coming to work each day!
The Day-to-Day:
Partnership & Strategy:
Program Execution:
Strategic Counsel:
People & Process Development:
Is This You?
Work-Hard, Play-Hard:
Salary Range: $180,000 to $215,000 annually + bonus eligibility + benefits
The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.
At Taco Bell, we Live Ms and invite you to do the same. Take a seat at our table. Bring your voice. Bring you, just as you are, a Cultural Rebel. We want you to be your best self!
Taco Bell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all dimensions of diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other protected characteristic.
Taco Bell is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities or special needs.
California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect from you and how we use, sell, and share that information, please see our Privacy Notice for California Contractors and Privacy Notice for California Employees.
Taco Bell was born and raised in California and has been around since 1962. We went from selling everyone's favorite Crunchy Tacos on the West Coast to a global brand with 8,200+ restaurants, 350 franchise organizations, that serve 42+ million fans each week around the globe. We're not only the largest Mexican-inspired quick service brand (QSR) in the world, we're also part of the biggest restaurant group in the world: Yum! Brands.
Much of our fan love and authentic connection with our communities are rooted in being rebels with a cause. From ensuring we use high quality, sustainable ingredients to elevating restaurant technology in ways that hasn't been done before... we will continue to be inclusive, bold, challenge the status quo and push industry boundaries.
We're a company that celebrates and advocates for different, has bold self-expression, strives for a better future, and brings the fun while we're at it. We fuel our culture with real people who bring unique experiences. We inspire and enable our teams and the world to Live Ms.
At Taco Bell, we're Cultural Rebels. Want to join in on the passion-fueled fun? Learn more about the career below.
About the Job:
Taco Bell's renowned marketing team is seeking a dynamic, hands-on, and creative Brand Director of Innovation to lead the company's overall innovation strategy. This individual will oversee both Brand and Product Marketing to drive sustainable growth, elevate core performance, and develop innovative platforms that keep Taco Bell at the forefront of the competitive landscape.
Success in this role demands exceptional leadership, marketing expertise, and an unwavering focus on bold, creative problem-solving. The Director will be responsible for spearheading groundbreaking innovation with a passion for creating impactful products and brand experiences that drive long-term success in collaboration with cross-functional marketing partners (digital, media, PR, CRM, social, insights & analytics, consumer insights).
Lastly, this individual must enjoy mixing work with fun! Taco Bell is very proud of its exciting and innovative culture and is seeking individuals who truly enjoy coming to work each day!
The Day-to-Day:
Partnership & Strategy:
- Own strategy and vision of the innovation platform delivering holistic marketing campaigns rooted in insights to unlock growth with consumers.
- Use consumer insights and data to craft a 3-year strategy and influence cross-functional teams and franchise partners.
- Collaborate with Marketing Leadership, cross-functional teams, and franchisees to identify new opportunities and drive product innovations that elevate the brand and boost sales.
- Lead the development of the Annual Growth and Strategic Plans to align product initiatives with brand goals.
- Leads and influences quarterly franchise meetings, setting vision and key focus areas and clearly articulating the path of growth and key investments needed to enable it.
Program Execution:
- Oversee the innovation pipeline, ensuring product innovations align with business goals.
- Develop marketing campaigns based on consumer insights to drive brand growth and sales.
- Create retail tactics to bring strategic plans to life in restaurants.
- Work with cross-functional teams (food innovation, ops, finance, supply chain) to design programs and identify potential execution risks.
Strategic Counsel:
- Provide input on marketing planning activities, business plans, and key growth drivers.
- Help shape the communications strategy (Paid, Owned, Earned) and marketing calendar.
- Set objectives and KPIs for campaigns.
People & Process Development:
- Coach and develop a team of direct reports, supporting their growth and leadership potential.
- Inspire and develop a high-performing team to execute strategies effectively.
- Partner with Marketing Operations to improve processes and roles within the marketing function.
Is This You?
- Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred.
- 12+ years of relevant experience, with at least 5 years in brand marketing, product marketing, and/or strategic planning.
- Experience in the QSR industry is a plus.
- Proven leadership skills with 5+ years in management role, with a track record of successfully leading and inspiring teams.
- Strong experience in strategic planning, project management, and creative execution.
- Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners to deliver impactful marketing campaigns.
- Demonstrated innovation and intellectual curiosity, with a passion for driving results.
Work-Hard, Play-Hard:
- Hybrid work schedule (onsite expectation Tues, Wed, Thurs) and year-round flex day Friday
- Onsite childcare through Bright Horizons
- Onsite dining center and game room (yes, there is a Taco Bell inside the building)
- Onsite dry cleaning, laundry services, carwash,
- Onsite gym with fitness classes and personal trainer sessions
- Up to 4 weeks of vacation per year plus holidays and time off for volunteering
- Generous parental leave for all new parents and adoption assistance program
- 401(k) with a 6% matching contribution from Yum! Brands with immediate vesting
- Comprehensive medical & dental including prescription drug benefits and 100% preventive care
- Discounts, free food, swag and... honestly, too many good benefits to name
Salary Range: $180,000 to $215,000 annually + bonus eligibility + benefits
The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.
At Taco Bell, we Live Ms and invite you to do the same. Take a seat at our table. Bring your voice. Bring you, just as you are, a Cultural Rebel. We want you to be your best self!
Taco Bell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all dimensions of diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other protected characteristic.
Taco Bell is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities or special needs.
California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect from you and how we use, sell, and share that information, please see our Privacy Notice for California Contractors and Privacy Notice for California Employees.