Job Description

McDonald’s is looking for a passionate, culture-obsessed MANAGER ON THE BRAND COMMUNICATIONS TEAM (IN OUR CORPORATE HOME OFFICE) who knows how to get things done. You’re a creative, solution-oriented leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and feels comfortable managing up, down and across to provide strategic counsel in what is best for the business. You understand the ever-evolving social and earned media landscape and want to be on the cutting-edge of the industry when it comes to innovation in PR strategy.

Reporting to the Director of Retail & Affinity Communications, you will be responsible for developing and executing PR campaigns for one of the most iconic brands in the world. You’ll collaborate with a large cross functional team to drive the U.S. business with initiatives focused on food and menu, digital, brand and reputation with support across all critical audience segments.

In this role, you’ll serve as the PR subject matter expert counseling internal business partners, collaborating with third party partner brands and managing external agencies. You will craft best-in-class creative platforms, strategies and communications materials with a data-driven and fan-forward mindset. Your can-do attitude and willingness to think outside of the box will positively impact awareness & sales, and enhance & improve overall brand image and advocacy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

In addition to following McDonald’s policies and procedures, your principal accountabilities will include, but are not restricted to:

COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY & COUNSEL

When it comes to pushing boundaries and navigating what channels to strategically tap into for PR, you’re the expert. In this role, you’ll align communications and PR strategy with supported U.S. Business departments such as Marketing, Digital/Social, Menu Innovation, Supply Chain and within McDonald's Global Impact Team (Community & Culture, Field PR, System Communications, Government Relations, Media Relations, Brand Trust, etc.), as well as other relevant departments across the global business in addition to key franchisee partners.

• Create, develop and execute bold and innovative public relations campaigns for defined focus areas to drive the U.S. business including craveability (food), digital drivers and brand trust + relevancy.
• You’ll collaborate closely with other functions of Brand Communications to ensure campaigns are reflective of their teams’ needs for a robust plan that fires strategically on all cylinders.
• Stay on your toes and identify opportunistic ways to put McDonald’s at the forefront of the cultural conversation, creating a steady cadence of buzz.
• Council partners on unique tactics to reach and then engage key external audiences (e.g., media, influencers and general consumers), meeting the key audience authentically where they are.
• Protect the business from risk by always thinking a few steps ahead and stay calm in situations of high pressure when offering up solutions to leadership or media in crisis situations.
• Leverage data, key learnings and trend spotting to align & inform strategy and tactics that will reach the target audience.
• Bring fresh and dynamic thinking to tell a brand story that breaks through the clutter and excite external audiences through content and other new online and offline approaches.
• Continuously seek ongoing development opportunities to strengthen individual leadership and counsel.
• Understand our fan-forward, conversational tone of voice and apply it when writing and editing media, social and influencer content and communications materials.
• Measure and reports on success of communications & PR strategy for ownership programs

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

• Develop and maintain relationships with key partners within Brand Communications (field, multicultural, media relations, etc.) and across the business such as marketing, supply chain, operations, Owner/Operators and national and local PR agencies.
• Strive to demonstrate teamwork within the Brand Communications/Global Impact team as a whole, i.e., providing coaching/mentoring to direct reports and new team members, identifying ongoing opportunities to contribute to cross- functional initiatives.
• Serve as a steward of the PR industry and larger McDonald’s business by:
• Representing the team within the McD's system and externally at industry and business functions, events, etc.
• Bringing back knowledge and new information to the team and department in order to drive the business, development skills and lead with intention.
• Sharing relevant materials, articles and more with team in order to inspire the team and identify ways to support the business.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT/ADMINISTRATION

• Develop and manage all resources to support and guide the ownership of communications & PR programs (e.g., budget, agency support, team support, etc.).
• Ensure that all programs are kept within established budgets.
• Provide Director with regular updates on resource management (e.g., budget updates/projections, agency support, etc.).
• Complete all routine administrative functions (e.g., expense reports, budgets, etc.) in an accurate and timely fashion.

AGENCY & VENDOR MANAGEMENT

• Manage and guide national PR agencies, and act as part of integrated agency team process in the development of leadership communications strategy & PR programs to support ownership areas.
• Monitor quality of work and provide ongoing feedback and counsel in ownership areas to agency partners to help them meet objectives, deliver the best work.
• Monitor and guide agency spend against established budgets to ensure effective resource management.

Qualifications

Must be fully vaccinated (i.e., at least 2 weeks after last dose) for COVID-19 and, if hired, present proof of vaccination by start date.

• 5+ years of experience working in Public Relations, Integrated Marketing or Digital/Social
• BA/BS degree in Communications, Public Relations, Digital/Social, Marketing or other related field preferred
• Experience leading cross-functional PR campaigns, with multicultural campaign experience a plus
• Results-oriented with proven experience in leading teams
• Strong networking, relationship-building and interpersonal skills
• Experience partnering with and influencing others outside direct line of control, management
• High level of strategic focus, planning, perspective
• Excellent writing, deck development and presentation skills
• Strong attention to detail, self-starter and great teammate
• Creative thinker with strong strategic mindset; solid experience in concept to execution of new ideas
• Solution oriented problem solver
• Positive attitude and a willingness to learn
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, deadline-focused, ambiguous yet dynamic environment with constant change
• Demonstrated knowledge of existing and emerging traditional media outlets and trends
• Experience utilizing existing and emerging social media channels to engage audience for brands
• Experience managing public relations agencies, account/business management
• Familiarity with traditional and social media monitoring tools and related metrics reporting

Additional Information

McDonald’s is committed to providing qualified individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their jobs. Additionally, if you (or another applicant of whom you are aware) require assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise seek assistance in the application process, please contact recruiting.supportteam@us.mcd.com

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.