Sr. Manager, External Affairs (Corporate Communications)

McDonald’s is proud to be one of the most recognized brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries that serve 70 million customers daily.We continue to operate from a position of strength. Our updated growth strategy is focused on staying ahead of what our customers want and realizing further growth potential. Our relentless ambition is why McDonald’s remains one of the world’s leading corporations after almost 70 years. Joining McDonald's means thinking big and preparing for a career that can have influence around the world.

At McDonald’s, we see every day as a chance to create positive impact. We lead through our values centered on inclusivity, service, integrity, community and family. From support of Ronald McDonald House Charities to our Youth Opportunity project and sustainability initiatives, our values keep us dedicated to using our scale for good: good for our customers, people, industry and planet. We also offer a broad range ofoutstanding benefits including a sabbatical program, tuition assistance and flexible work arrangements.

We are enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid work model, in which employees spend part of their week connecting with co-workers in our state-of-the-art headquarters.Located in the booming West Loop of downtown Chicago, it's set up to be a global hub that cultivates collaboration:

• Take a class at Hamburger University
• Sample future items in our Test Kitchen
• Utilize the latest technology to connect with your team around the globe

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our crew members, staff, operators, and suppliers. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone.

We are improving the Global Communications function of the Global Impact Team to advance how we tell the incredible stories of our business, brand, and impact!

The Sr. Manager, Global External Affairs will help develop integrated communications and media engagement strategies to deliver McDonald’s Accelerating the Arches business strategy and strengthen the brand through advocacy and action across the two Impact priorities of People and Planet. This role reports to the Director of Global Corporate Communications, and primary responsibilities would include leading media relations, partner engagement and executive insight to advance McDonald’s business and brand strategies. This would include initiatives related to the M-C-D pillars (Marketing, Core Menu, Digital, Delivery, Drive Thru and Development) and business performance (e.g., earnings and investor communications).

In addition to following McDonald’s policies and procedures, The Senior Manager will:

Strategy & Planning

• Apply critical thinking & understanding of internal/external landscape to develop integrated external affairs and media engagement plans that advance and promote Accelerating the Arches business priorities.
• Lead third-party relationships with priority industry SMEs, suppliers and business partners as related to projects/initiatives.

Proactive Storytelling

• Lead development of communications assets & materials, including but not limited to: media strategies, key messages, press releases, statements, question and answer documents and develop assets.
• Prepare reactive media relations materials and engagement for corporate/business initiatives, develops risk and leak mitigation strategies to protect the business and/or influence the landscape for efficient storytelling.
• Triage and handle media issues and crisis in the areas of role focus.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Partner with global and regional/market Communications and cross-functional partners to serve and advance business initiatives under Accelerating the Arches
• Align cross-functional subject matter authorities in Marketing, Menu, Customer Experience, Technology/Digital, Government Relations, Investor Relations and Legal to understand, develop, and deploy key elements/messaging of the Impact narrative.
• Serve as an external affairs subject matter authority for partners across the company to deliver a cohesive corporate perspective across key initiatives/critical issues related to the role.
  
  

• Desire a candidate with 12+ years of experienced in agency and in-house roles.
• Experience working on corporate, technology and investor programs with a demonstrated ability to understand business strategy and how to use communications as a mechanism to drive that strategy.
• Knowledge of traditional and emerging media platforms and history of working directly with top tier media outlets and strong roster of personal media contacts.
• A natural storyteller with excellent speaking, writing and editing skills.
• Demonstrated ability in leading integrated communications plans via myriad channels.
• Crisis and issues management experience.
• Excels in people management with a passion for growing the skills and career of direct reports (2 direct reports in this role).
• The ability to influence with and without authority and motivate others toward common objectives.
• Proven ability to support and counsel senior-level executives.
• The ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, while being flexible, collaborative and deadline driven.
• Experience managing partner agencies.
• Experience in project management and large-scale event planning/implementation.
  
  

McDonald’s is an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our workforce. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone. McDonald’s provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact [email protected]. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

McDonald’s provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, disability status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, protected military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Nothing in this job posting or description should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.