External Communications & Campaigns Lead

KFC Corporation; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 109,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite childcare

Onsite dining center

Onsite gym

4 weeks vacation

401(k) with match

Medical & dental

Free food and discounts

Job summary

Taco Bell Foundation seeks an External Communications & Campaigns Lead to elevate awareness, engagement, and support for its mission across earned, owned, and social channels. The role oversees media relations, messaging, thought leadership, and digital communications, partnering with leadership to craft narratives that connect the Foundation to cultural moments.

The ideal candidate writes well, thinks strategically, and can drive campaigns that advance education and opportunity for youth

Qualifications

• 7+ years of external communications experience in nonprofit, corporate, or agency settings.
• Experience developing integrated communications strategies across earned, owned, and social channels.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling for executives, media, and audiences.
• Strong judgment, project management, and ability to influence across teams.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the Foundation's integrated external communications strategy for awareness and fundraising.
• Develop messaging, narratives, and storytelling across diverse audiences and channels.
• Write/edit press releases, executive messaging, speeches, thought leadership, and reports.
• Lead media relations: pitches, press materials, relationships with outlets.
• Oversee digital presence: website and social content aligned with objectives.
• Manage multimedia storytelling from concept to production with teams and agencies.
• Partner with leadership to shape executive messaging and external engagements.
• Collaborate with Corporate Communications, Brand, and Foundation teams on integrated plans.
• Monitor media trends and reputational issues; provide strategic counsel.

Skills

External communications

Public relations

Nonprofit communications

Agency communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Media monitoring

Social listening

CMS / content management

Social media tools

Job description

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 8,500+ 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:

The External Communications & Campaigns Lead will lead the Taco Bell Foundation’s external communications strategy to elevate awareness, engagement, and support for its mission across earned, owned, and social channels. The role oversees media relations, messaging, thought leadership, impact storytelling, digital communications, and support for key programs, partnerships, fundraising initiatives, and events. Partnering closely with the Head of Marketing & Communications, this person will develop compelling narratives and integrated communications plans that strengthen the Foundation’s reputation and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate is a strong writer and strategist who can uncover meaningful stories and authentically connect the Foundation to relevant cultural moments through impactful campaigns.

About the Job:

The Taco Bell Foundation breaks down barriers to education and opportunity for the next generation. Our mission is to fuel bold ambitions and empower young people to pursue their unique paths, while embracing the creativity, optimism, and innovative spirit of the Taco Bell brand.
Since 1992, the Foundation has reached more than 5 million young people across the country and awarded more than $189 million in scholarships and grants supporting education, mentorship, and career readiness.

The Day-to-Day:

• Own and lead the Taco Bell Foundation's integrated external communications strategy, driving awareness, reputation, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement across key initiatives.


• Develop compelling messaging, narratives, and storytelling that showcase the Foundation’s impact across diverse audiences and channels.


• Write and edit a wide range of communications materials, including press releases, executive messaging, speeches, thought leadership, social content, website copy, and impact reports.


• Lead media relations efforts by identifying news opportunities, developing pitches, managing press materials, and cultivating relationships with media and key external stakeholders.


• Oversee the Foundation’s digital presence, including website and social media content, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with communications objectives.


• Manage multimedia and video storytelling from creative concept through production, partnering with internal teams and external agencies.


• Serve as a strategic communications partner to Foundation leadership, influencing executive messaging, thought leadership, presentations, interviews, and external engagements.


• Partner cross-functionally with Corporate Communications, PR, Brand, Social, Creative, and Foundation teams to deliver integrated, authentic communications.


• Monitor media, cultural trends, and reputational issues, providing communications counsel and support for emerging or sensitive situations.


• Measure communications performance, manage external agencies, provide counsel on reputational issues and emerging communications needs, and represent the Foundation at key stakeholder, fundraising, and brand events.

Is this you?

• 7+ years of experience in external communications, public relations, corporate communications, nonprofit communications, agency communications, or a related field; Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field preferred.


• Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated communications strategies, media relations programs, and campaigns across earned, owned, and social channels.


• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with experience creating executive communications, thought leadership, speeches, digital content, and media materials for diverse audiences.


• Strong communications judgment and project management skills, with the ability to manage agencies, cross-functional partners, multiple priorities, and sensitive or reputational issues in a fast-paced environment.


• Collaborative, proactive, resourceful, highly organized, and detail-oriented, with the ability to influence stakeholders and work effectively across teams.


• Experience using Microsoft Office, media monitoring, social listening, communications measurement, content management systems, and social media management tools.


• Experience in social impact, corporate foundations, consumer brands, or youth-focused organizations is preferred; willingness to travel periodically for Foundation and corporate events.

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, 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 fromYum! 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: $109,400 to $115,000 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.

Work Authorization Notice: Please note that we do not provide visa sponsorship or immigration support for this position. Applicants must already be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent basis without the need for current or future sponsorship.

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. 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 here.