Associate Manager, Creative Brand Strategy

Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence

Associate Manager, Creative Brand Strategy at Taco Bell focusing on brand storytelling and campaign execution. Leading creative initiatives and collaborating with teams to enhance brand perception and awareness.

Posted 6/29/2026full-timeIrvine • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $109,400 - $128,600 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Drive the day-to-day success and campaign objectives of marquis tentpole activations, such as Live Más Live, navigating between agencies and cross-functional teams to bring creative ideas and tactical plans to life.
Support the furthered development of evergreen brand strategies and initiatives, such as L.O.C.O.S. and Global Taco Exchange, helping to nurture programs that strengthen Taco Bell's brand presence.
Contribute to the long-term development of future campaigns and brand initiatives by identifying emerging trends, cultural moments, and opportunities that keep the brand relevant and top of mind.
Manage day-to-day campaign development, including timelines, briefs, approvals, and stakeholder communication to ensure seamless execution across initiatives.
Assist in the brand planning process by tracking upcoming programs, maintaining calendars, and helping ensure initiatives support broader business and brand objectives.
Monitor campaign performance and key brand metrics, synthesizing learnings and identifying opportunities to improve future work.
Support the management of brand storytelling platforms and assets to help ensure consistent and cohesive brand expression across touchpoints.
Champion creative excellence by staying connected to culture, consumer trends, and category dynamics, bringing fresh perspectives and ideas to the team.
Build strong relationships across internal and external partners, proactively identifying ways to improve processes and drive effective collaboration.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree required
5+ years of relevant experience in Brand Marketing, Creative Development, or Strategic Planning (agency experience a plus)
Demonstrated ability in driving the development and execution of large-scale integrated campaigns or brand initiatives
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively present ideas
Passionate towards culture; including news, trends, and emerging consumer behaviors
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong partnership and cross-functional collaboration skills
Strategic, creative thinker, and effective storyteller
Self-motivated, results-driven, strong influencing and prioritization abilities and intellectually curious

Benefits

Comp & perks

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, and 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

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Campaign DevelopmentBrand StrategyPerformance MonitoringTrend AnalysisProject Management

Soft Skills

Strong CommunicationCreative ThinkingDetail-OrientedRelationship BuildingResults-Driven

Certifications

Bachelor's Degree