Sr. Director, Brand Strategy, Menu and Planning

Job DescriptionThe Sr. Director, Brand Strategy, Menu & Planning is a critical leader within Pizza Hut U.S., responsible for shaping the brand strategy, owning the U.S. marketing calendar, and driving the end-to-end menu and innovation pipeline to deliver against business goals.This role sits at the center of the business-connecting consumer insights, brand strategy, menu innovation, and integrated planning to drive sales, profitability, and brand relevance. As a key partner to the CMO and cross-functional leadership, this leader ensures strategies are not only compelling, but executable across the system and impactful for both company and franchise restaurants.ResponsibilitiesKey Responsibilities:Brand Strategy & Business OwnershipDefine and evolve Pizza Hut U.S. brand and customer strategy, ensuring alignment with growth, traffic, and profitability goalsOperate with a General Manager mindset, balancing brand ambition with financial and operational realitiesTranslate strategy into clear priorities and actionable plans across the organizationMarketing Calendar & Commercial PerformanceOwn and lead the U.S. marketing calendar, including promotions, LTOs, pricing strategies, and key campaign windowsEnsure calendar strategies deliver against sales, traffic, and profit targets for both company and franchise systemLead cross-functional teams to execute high-impact marketing windows with operational excellenceMenu Strategy & InnovationOwn the end-to-end menu strategy and innovation pipeline, including new product development, line extensions, and portfolio optimizationPartner closely with Operations and Finance to ensure feasibility, scalability, and financial impact of innovationDrive a disciplined approach to testing, learning, and scaling successful initiativesConsumer Insights & Data-Driven Decision MakingLead Consumer Insights to translate data, research, and trends into actionable strategiesLeverage analytics to inform product, pricing, and marketing decisionsChampion a data-driven culture across Marketing and cross-functional teamsFinancial & Franchisee AlignmentPartner with Finance to evaluate initiatives through sales impact, margin, and ROIIncorporate Franchisee P&L and system economics into all major decisionsBuild strong relationships with Franchise partners to ensure alignment, adoption, and successful executionIntegrated Planning & Cross-Functional LeadershipDrive alignment across Marketing, Operations, Finance, and Development to ensure seamless executionServe as a key connector between CORE and the field, ensuring strategies are grounded in restaurant realitiesInfluence senior leadership through clear storytelling, insights, and recommendationsTeam Leadership & DevelopmentLead and develop a high-performing team across Insights, Planning, and Innovation (~10-12 team members; 3-4 direct reports)Build organizational capability and bench strengthFoster a culture aligned to Pizza Hut's Smart, Heart, and Courage valuesQualificationsKey Qualifications:You will be required to attend the Plano, TX office 3 days a week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.10-12+ years of experience in Marketing, Strategy, or related field (QSR, retail, or consumer brands preferred)Proven experience leading brand strategy, marketing calendar planning, and product innovationStrong financial and commercial acumen; ability to connect strategy to business outcomesExperience working in a franchise or multi-unit environment strongly preferredExceptional communication and influencing skills across senior stakeholdersHighly analytical with strong problem-solving capabilitiesAbility to lead through ambiguity and drive clarity in a fast-paced, matrixed environmentKey Leadership Traits:Strategic thinker with strong execution disciplineOperates with a bias for action and ownership mindsetInfluences and aligns cross-functional stakeholders effectivelyBalances creativity with commercial rigorResilient, adaptable, and thrives in dynamic environments