Associate Manager, Business Analytics and Insights

The Associate Manager is responsible analyzing trends and providing key insights that will help Taco Bell make more informed growth decisions. With this role, the opportunities are endless: Drive new unit growth strategy, work directly with field real estate teams, and provide leadership and strategic insight to brand and franchisee partners.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic market planning and development insights workstreams independently, partnering with Development, Finance, field real estate teams, franchisees, and senior leaders to evaluate growth opportunities, profitability, ROI, financial performance, and long-term business impact; Analyze large and complex data sets using advanced analytical tools such as Excel, Alteryx, MicroStrategy, Power BI, and related platforms to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and actionable insights that inform new unit development decisions; Translate ambiguous business questions and raw data into clear narratives, benchmarks, recommendations, and executive-ready work plans that simplify complex issues and support sound decisions under conditions of risk and uncertainty; Evaluate delivery, trade area, competitive, demographic, and sales transfer trends to optimize new unit placement, assess potential cannibalization, and identify innovative solutions for complex market planning challenges; Represent the Market Planning and Development Insights function as a key point of contact on cross-functional projects, influencing internal customers, management, senior personnel, franchise partners, and external stakeholders through data-backed guidance and strategic recommendations; Manage complex projects with short- to mid-term execution needs and mid- to long-term strategic focus, establishing tools, processes, and priorities that distinguish meaningful action from activity and keep deliverables moving across multiple workstreams; Mentor and support less experienced team members, both formally and informally, by sharing subject matter expertise, strengthening analytical capability, and modeling strong judgment in complex or ambiguous situations

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least 5–8 years of experience in development, market planning, real estate, strategy, finance, analytics, or a related field; Strong executive presence, communication, and storytelling skills, with the ability to influence management, senior internal partners, franchisees, and external stakeholders through clear, data-backed recommendations; Capable of working independently with minimal guidance on most assignments, seeking direction primarily in the most complex situations and delivering work that is evaluated from a broader, longer-term perspective for desired business results; Proven ability to solve a diverse range of complex and ambiguous problems by turning issues into logical steps, structured work plans, and innovative solutions; Recognized subject matter expertise in market planning, development insights, or related analytical disciplines, with strong knowledge of adjacent business areas and industry practices; Highly proficient in Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to build compelling analyses, models, presentations, and decision-support materials for senior-level audiences; Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent basis without the need for current or future sponsorship; Employment eligibility to work with Taco Bell in the U.S. is required

Nice to have

Master’s degree preferred; Advanced analytical degree or MBA preferred, with demonstrated ability to apply market planning, financial, statistical, and strategic analysis to support enterprise-level growth decisions; Experience with CRM, Power BI, Alteryx, MicroStrategy, GIS/mapping tools, or similar analytics platforms preferred

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, 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; Bonus eligibility