External Affairs Manager

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Company Description

McDonald's is proud to be one of the most recognised brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries and billions of customers served each year. As the global leader in the food and service industry, we have a legacy of innovation and hard work that continues to drive us. Today, we are growing with velocity and are passionate about modernising our experiences, not to make a different McDonald's, but to build a better McDonald's.

Job Description

The EMEA Corporate External Affairs Manager will serve as a strategic business partner to the International Impact teams supporting both proactive and reactive communications that drive a change in brand perceptions, responsible business growth and protect the company's reputation and customer/stakeholder trust in the brand.

This role reports to the Director, International External Affairs and Crisis, and will be based in Europe, preferably our UK office.

What will my accountabilities be? In this role, you will:

Drive Proactive Reputation for International Business

• In partnership with the Director, strategically manage and execute a compelling, trust driving strategy for the European business grounded in persuasive and credible earned and paid media and stakeholder engagement.
  • To include, working with and managing our agency partner to execute our proactive European plan which is designed to challenge perceptions of McDonald's as a global corporation in Europe, demonstrating commitment and progress on key issues that drive impact with media and key stakeholders across the region
  • Use European business plan methodology as a blueprint to drive development of a truly global approach to proactive storytelling
• Develop relationships on behalf of McDonald's with media at international titles/wires

Partner with International Markets to Protect and Promote Reputation

• Establish rapport as a strategic business partner with International Global Impact market teams for external affairs and crisis management support as part of the Global External Affairs and Crisis Centre of Excellence
  • Work closely with other Impact managers in markets outside of the US to consult and assist on media enquiries/strategies that cross borders

Develop and Execute Proactive and Responsive Approaches to core issues and initiatives

• Work closely with our Government Relations and Sustainability teams to drive our people, planet and business strategy through proactive and responsive external campaigns and storytelling and ensure consistency across our markets
  • In support of those campaigns/initiatives, develop key communications materials and assets for international media and templates for local markets to adapt including, but not limited to: media pitches, media releases, statements, strategic communications plans, executive briefing documents, Q&A documents and owned channel posts.
• Support international senior leadership through the development/execution of executive earned media strategy; this includes, but is not limited to, identifying external opportunities, developing messaging/narratives, risk mitigation strategies and media training

What Team will I be a part?

You will be part of the Global Impact Team. McDonald's Global Impact team is aligned around a mission to make McDonald's one of the most respected, trusted, and admired brands in the world. We will do this through actions to drive responsible business growth, investments to foster community, values-based advocacy, and compelling communications that matter to our customers, our System and our global partners.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading external affairs strategies either at an agency or in-house at a large consumer brand
• Proven experience working globally and cross-functionally; collaborative and collegial locally and across the globe; ability to be a self-starter and work independently with minimal direction
• Proven ability to support and counsel senior-level executives on media and stakeholder engagement and build trust within a highly matrixed organization
• Strong business knowledge with a demonstrated ability to understand business strategy and how to use communications as a mechanism to drive strategy.
• The ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, while being flexible, collaborative and deadline driven.
• The ability to influence without authority and motivate others toward common objectives.
• Curiosity and drive to develop a deep knowledge of the McDonald's business and system
• Critical thinking skills with a bias for action and an understanding of how to drive to clarity amidst ambiguity.

Additional Information

At McDonald's we are People from all Walks of Life...

People are at the heart of everything we do, and they make the McDonald's experience. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture that means people can be their best authentic self in our restaurants and offices, which helps us to better serve our customers. We have a strong heritage of diversity and representation within our communities, which we are proud of. The diversity of our people, customers, Franchisees and suppliers gives us strength.

We do not tolerate inequality, injustice or discrimination of any kind. These are hugely important issues and a brand with our reach and relevance means we have a very meaningful role to play.

We also recognise our responsibility as a large employer to continue being active in our communities, helping to develop skills and drive aspirations that will help people to be more aware of the world of work and more successful within it, whether with McDonald's or elsewhere."