Sr. Director, Equity Field Operations

KFC•Irvine, CA

1d•$232,000 - $290,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Taco Bell’s $1 Billion Equity Restaurant business spans coast to coast and is a pivotal piece to bringing the legendary brand to life not only for our guests but by leading the system and inspiring our Franchise Operating Partners. With significant presence in an emerging digital market, new elevating assets that are bigger and bolder, and leading the way on the largest capital investments such as Times Square, the portfolio of 600+ restaurants delivers the third largest profit contribution for Yum! Brands. The Brand is looking for someone who can inspire big leaders to dream bigger and deliver more. A leader who can assess the evolving marketplace and not only identify but develop talent to deliver the business results that truly make Taco Bell a “1 of 1” business and have this transpire at every level of the field, from Regional Directors to Restaurant General Managers. This position reports to the COO of Taco Bell.

Requirements

Deep operational expertise, financial acumen, data-driven decision-making skills, process optimization experience and leadership & culture stewardship
15+ years minimum experience
Experience in restaurant operations with a focus on strategy and execution
Experience leading multiple directors and a team of 10k+ team members
Proven leadership ability with the capability to motivate, manage and develop others (both direct and indirect)
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Regional Directors, Restaurant General Managers, and field leaders
Ability to provide clear direction and business solutions to maximize individual and broader team performance
Ability to engage, motivate and inspire others and create an environment where people want to do their very best
Strong presence, organizational agility and ability to lead by example
Build strong relationships with others, demonstrating emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively
Serve as a key liaison between Field Operations and RSC-based support functions, ensuring partnership and alignment on priorities and impact
Represent the voice of the Field in cross-functional strategy and planning sessions
A creative, conceptual thinker who has a record of building competency and driving breakthrough business results through strategic planning and implementation
Ability to balance the need for change with the understanding of how much change restaurants are capable of realizing in the field
A strong business acumen of the field organization, restaurant operations and key stakeholders
Understand operational drivers to deliver both immediate and long-term results
Focus on delivering margin while simultaneously delivering operational KPIs
Possess strong understanding of industry trends and macro factors that will necessitate a strategic change or approach to teams and consumers
Ability to prioritize issues and opportunities and allocate resources accordingly
In addition to being a collaborative team player, demonstrate ability to build and sustain relationships across all functions and through all levels in an organization to ensure seamless integration and flawless execution of business plans
Strong cultural sensitivity and a track record of building relationships
Able to champion ideas and influence and motivate key stakeholders by sharing vision with a shared sense of purpose and passion
A good listener who can connect easily with others

Responsibilities

Team Leadership: Lead and develop a leading high performing team of Regional Directors, Above Restaurant Leaders, and Restaurant General Managers while transforming the industry standards for restaurant level operations
Operations Strategy & Execution: Create and drive the operational strategy across the equity portfolio to maximize efficiency, profitability, and guest satisfaction by ensuring the seamless implementation of new technologies, streamlined processes, and innovative restaurant solutions.
Cross Functional Collaboration: Build strong, productive relationships with cross-functional partners and equity operators to align organizational priorities, vision, and execution.
Financial Performance & Operational KPIs: Oversee P&L management for the equity portfolio, ensuring optimal cost management and resource allocation while directing strategies to enhance restaurant performance against operational KPIs, including labor optimization, cost management, and guest satisfaction.
Change Management: Lead and manage large-scale organizational changes, ensuring smooth transitions in processes, technology, and operations by effectively communicating and engaging with teams to embrace change, minimizing disruption and maximizing adoption.
Culture & Values: Ensure the Taco Bell values of innovation, inclusivity, and guest-centricity are reflected in every facet of restaurant operations and leadership development by driving a culture that prioritizes guest service, team collaboration, and high performance.

Benefits

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