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Taco Bell

Director, Strategic Planning

Irvine, CA

Who is Taco Bell?

Taco Bell Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), is the nation's leading Mexican-inspired quick service restaurant (QSR) brand. From breakfast to late night, Taco Bell serves made-to-order and customizable tacos and burritos, among other craveable choices, and is the first QSR restaurant to offer American Vegetarian Association (AVA)-certified menu items.

Taco Bell and its more than 350 franchise organizations proudly serve over 42 million customers each week through over 7,000 restaurants around the world, as well as through its mobile, desktop and delivery ordering services. Internationally, Taco Bell has over 600 restaurants, with plans to add 2,000 more restaurants in the next decade.

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The brand encourages its fans to “Live Mas” and connects with them through sports, gaming and new music via its Feed The Beat® music program. Taco Bell also provides education opportunities and serves the community through its nonprofit organization, the Taco Bell® Foundation™, and connects fans with their passions through programs such as the Live Mas Scholarship program. According to Harris Poll, Taco Bell has been named America’s Best Mexican-Food Restaurant for two back-to-back years.

About the Job:

Taco Bell is looking for a Director to join the Strategic Planning team, which reports to the Vice President, Finance.  The Strategic Planning team is responsible for working with the Executive Team to establish, dimensionalize, and communicate Taco Bell’s financial objectives and the major strategic initiatives to achieve those objectives through the 3-year and Annual Planning processes.  The Strategic Planning team also works closely with the Executive Team and cross-functional partners on special projects.
The Strategic Planning team is a dynamic point of entry into the Taco Bell organization, often serving as a launching point for various parts of the Taco Bell and Yum businesses.  Previous members of the Strategic Planning team have included former consultants, MBA hires, and finance experts.
The chief responsibility of the Director is to support and drive strategic decision-making within Taco Bell as well as Taco Bell’s teaming with Yum! Brands.  This position is ideal for those with high accountability, excellent analytical skills, great communication style, a partnership mentality, and comfort turning facts into recommendations.

The Day-to-Day:

  • Play key role in assessing, prioritizing and communicating strategic opportunities within Taco Bell, with the Taco Bell Executive team, and with Yum! Brands
  • Team across functions to develop ideas into robust business plans and execution plans
  • Develop frameworks and financial modeling to determine prioritization
  • Support presentation development and delivery to convey strategy to Taco Bell senior leadership, Yum Brands, and outside parties (Board of Directors, Investors, etc.)
  • Drive strategic projects including evaluating strategic business opportunities and performing competitive assessments
  • Develop frameworks to guide project approach, timelines and decision-making
  • Ensure solid work of team in collecting, analyzing and communicating relevant information to maximize efficiency, effectiveness and profit impact of strategic projects
  • Team across the organization to develop business cases, cross-functional perspective and execution plans for strategic growth drivers – i.e. delivery, loyalty, digital, etc.
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate goals and strategies into the long-term growth and annual operating plans
  • Partner with Financial Planning & Analysis to steer the organization through the Annual Planning process to establish annual strategic plan, performance guidance, goals and alternate scenarios
  • Ensure solid work of team in developing assumptions, financial modeling, and seamless handoff between Finance groups
  • Develop Long term plans and interim Business Model assessments as needed
  • Manage Enterprise Risk Management program to mitigate internal and external business risks
  • Motivate and grow team to become next generation of leaders
  • Responsible for managing 1 Manager and working with other Analysts across the team
  • Develop International market expansion plan via organic and inorganic growth
  • Work with regional Business units to evaluate strategic projects, investments, and partnerships to drive profitability

Is This You?

  • BA required; analytical degree preferred (e.g., Economics, Mathematics, Engineering)
  • MBA highly preferred
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in highly analytical environments (management consulting, corporate strategy, business development, and/or strategic planning
  • Ability to balance strategic projects and initiatives with tactical day-to-day reporting and management cadence
  • Demonstrated ability to work with senior management teams and partner effectively with a range of cross functional groups
  • Superior analytical and financial modeling skills, with ability to synthesize data from a variety of sources and frame business issues in a straightforward manner
  • Experience leading strategic vision and developing annual operating plan
  • Excellent story-telling and presentation-writing skills, with ability to convey sophisticated concepts in a clear and compelling way
  • Maturity, confidence, and perspective to manage quick/unexpected transitions or conflicts to successful resolution
  • Drive and build high performing teams – and have fun!
  • Proficient with Excel and PowerPoint

Why Taco Bell?

We truly believe that where you work matters, and we know a thing or two about what makes employees happy. Join us on our mission of feeding people’s lives with más!

Work-Hard, Play-Hard:

  • Year-round Flex day Fridays
  • Free snacks, drinks and bagel & donut Fridays
  • 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, salon services
  • Onsite gym with fitness classes and personal trainer sessions
  • 4 weeks of vacation per year plus holidays and time off for volunteering
  • Tuition reimbursement and education benefits
  • Discounts for life’s adventures (ex: theme parks, wireless plans, etc.)
  • Generous parental leave for all new parents and adoption assistance program
  • Opportunity to taste test new products
  • 401(k) with a 6% matching contribution from Yum! Brands with immediate vesting
  • Comprehensive medical and dental including prescription drug benefits and 100% preventive care
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
  • Opportunities to support the Taco Bell Foundation’s educational initiatives and programs.
  • Recognition based culture and unique, fun events year round (recess at work, Halloween Spooktacular, employee art show benefiting Taco Bell Foundation, etc.)

*Please note that some perks/amenities may not be available and/or may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion during the COVID-19 temporary work-from-home period.

Job ID: 2533946
Employment Type: Other

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