Sr. Manager, Culture Catalyst Marketing

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 Más.

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:

As the Senior Manager, Culture Catalyst Marketing at Taco Bell, you’ll be at the heart of shaping our brand’s cultural presence. This role offers you the exciting opportunity to build and drive the pipeline of cultural moments that connect Taco Bell with the worlds of entertainment, sports, music, fashion, and food. Whether it’s integrating into product campaigns or creating standalone cultural initiatives, your work will amplify Taco Bell’s brand and ignite new connections with our consumers.  This role reports to the VP, Entertainment, Energy & Events.

You’ll work alongside a dynamic, cross-functional team to bring cutting-edge campaigns to life and ensure Taco Bell stays at the forefront of what’s next. By collaborating closely with the Brand Integration & Execution team, you'll ensure that every talent and partnership is aligned with Taco Bell’s brand values and fulfills all contractual obligations. Your role will be critical in negotiating and managing talent deals, ensuring that each partnership supports the strategic needs of our Product & Brand teams.

You’ll also play a key role in shaping Taco Bell’s overarching Entertainment & Energy strategy with the team’s Integration & Execution lead, ensuring it’s embraced across the entire business. Your deep relationships within the cultural space will be essential in keeping Taco Bell one phone call away from the next big trend. With your extensive network, Taco Bell will always stay ahead of emerging trends, maintaining relevance and innovation in cultural conversation. If you’re passionate about culture and ready to bring bold ideas to life, this is the role for you!

The Day-to-Day:

• Build and maintain a pipeline of cultural opportunities within entertainment, sports, music, fashion, food, and beyond, to fuel Taco Bell’s marketing efforts and create new connections with our consumer base.
• Intake and assess incoming inquiries from potential new partners
• Partner closely with the Brand Integration & Execution team to ensure that all cultural opportunities are aligned with Taco Bell’s brand standards and integrated seamlessly into product campaigns or standalone cultural moments.
• Lead negotiations, invoicing, and contract management for all partner deals, ensuring all parties meet contractual obligations and align with the strategic needs of Taco Bell’s Product & Brand teams.
• Develop and execute the overarching Entertainment & Energy strategy in collaboration with the team's Integration & Execution lead ensuring its alignment with broader brand goals and its adoption across the entire business.
• Build and nurture a vast network of relationships across cultural tentpoles to position Taco Bell as a key player in the cultural space. Cultivate partnerships and create opportunities that keep Taco Bell at the forefront of emerging trends.
• Work cross-functionally with multiple teams to ensure alignment and integration of cultural opportunities into marketing campaigns, product initiatives, and consumer-facing experiences.
• Track the effectiveness of cultural initiatives and partnerships, providing regular reports on KPIs, ROI, and strategic impact to senior leadership.
• Continuously monitor industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging opportunities in the partnership ecosystem.
• Acts as the primary liaison for international partnership initiatives.
• Owns all retail licensing partnerships and collaborates with the Brand Integration & Execution team to integrate programs into the national marketing calendar.

Is This You?

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field preferred
• 8+ years of experience in marketing, brand partnerships, or related roles, with a strong focus on cultural marketing and talent/partner relations, alternatively 10+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree
• Proven track record of identifying, negotiating, and managing cultural partnerships in areas like entertainment, music, sports, fashion, and food
• Strong network within the entertainment, culture, and marketing industries
• Ability to balance multiple high-priority projects and stakeholders with a strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and navigate ambiguity while delivering results
• Passion for culture, entertainment, and staying ahead of emerging trends in the marketplace
• Curiosity and the ability to think outside the box
• Winning mindset, consistently seeking opportunities to learn, grow and push the status quo
• Ability to manage and lead through change

Work-Hard, Play-Hard:

• Hybrid work schedule 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: ­­$153,200 to $180,300 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 Más 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.  

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Employment eligibility to work with Taco Bell in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for this position.

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