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Educational Program Lead

Irvine, CA

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 Taco Bell Foundation

The Taco Bell Foundation (TBF) breaks down barriers to educate and inspire the next generation. Our mission is to fuel bold ambitions and empower the next generation to thrive in careers they love, all while embracing the fun and innovative culture that defines the Taco Bell brand. Since 1992, the Taco Bell Foundation has reached more than 12 million young people across the country and has awarded more than $231 million in grants and scholarships, focused on education, mentorship, and career readiness.

About the Job:

We’re looking for an exceptional Program Lead to lead the development of TBF’s first-ever career exploration and workforce-readiness platform. You will own the full product lifecycle – from problem discovery and user research with students, team members, and educators, through roadmap, delivery, launch, and continuous improvement. You’ll be supported by our Head of Programs, collaborate cross-functionally with TBF and TB colleagues and external vendors to deliver measurable outcomes for young people while upholding the Taco Bell Foundation’s mission. You don’t need to know everything, but you need to have a keen sense of what you don’t know and be willing to collaborate with experts to find the best solution.

Ideal Candidates will:

  • Own the product: Partner with the Head of Programs and Innovation to execute the development of the Product vision while owning the roadmap and execution for an AI-driven digital ed-tech platform that empowers learners to explore and thrive in careers they love.
  • Drive discovery & design: Lead user research with users; working together with the Head of Programs, translate insights into clear requirements, leverage AI capabilities to create intuitive, personalized learner journeys (mobile-first, accessible);
  • Translate the needs, behaviors, Product vision and motivations of Gen Z into recommended platform features that are engaging, gamified, and socially shareable in partnership with 3rd party vendors and the Head of Programs.
  • Influence Cross-Functionally & Partner Broadly: Influence cross-functional teams, vendors, and education partners to deliver a cohesive and scalable product experience.
  • Measure Impact: Work with the Head of Programs to develop KPIs and product health metrics including adoption, activation, completion, satisfaction, equity of access, ensure work with technical development partners to ensure safeguarding, accessibility, privacy, and data and AI ethics into all product decisions, collaborating with Taco Bell digital and legal teams to ensure compliance.
  • Track the ed-tech landscape: Stay current of edtech and AI, LMS/LXP, mentoring and skills credentialing trends to inform long-term product strategy and maintain a competitive edge.
  • Keep youth at the center: Design for clarity, confidence, and human connection, ensuring all young people—especially those taking nontraditional paths—have the support, resources, and confidence to succeed.

Is This You?

  • Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent work experience.
  • At least 5-7 years professional experience with 3+ years in product management or EdTech.
  • Ed-tech fluency strongly preferred (LMS/LXP, youth or early-career programs, credentialing, mentoring, or workforce development). Adjacent domains (education, social impact, fintech for good) welcome. AI experience a plus.
  • Problem-Solving abilities. Being able to quickly and effectively solve problems and adapt to unexpected challenges is a must.
  • Communication skills, you will need to communicate clearly and effectively with technical vendors, program delivery partners and project team members to ensure goals are met.
  • Budgeting and Financial Management: ability to understand budgeting, cost control and financial management.
  • Highly organized with strong attention to detail, exceptional ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines and details simultaneously.
  • Positive, flexible, and the ability to handle stress and pressure calmly and professionally is essential.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams); experience with project management tools like Monday and Jira a plus; Comfortable with Agile project management

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: ­­$115,000 to $120,000 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 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.  

US Job Seekers/Employees - To view the "Know Your Rights" poster, click here: https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal.  You may also access Taco Bell’s Pay Transparency Policy Statement.

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

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 Employees at https://jobs.tacobell.com/wp-content/themes/jobs.tacobell.com-2024/assets/build/doc/Employee+Privacy+Notice+%28TB%29+%2820230701%29_2024%2811-15-2024%29-Final.pdf

 

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