McDonald's buys ingredients from over 17,500 British and Irish farmers and spends over £1.1billion annually on its food and packaging requirements. McDonald's is committed to supporting British and Irish farmers to ensure it can continue to source many of its ingredients from the UK and Ireland.

McDonald's is a market leader in its field, striving for the highest standard of quality, speed and restaurant experience. Re-generation of our restaurant infrastructure, covering digital ordering, re-imaging and dual-point service make working at McDonald's more exciting than ever!

We are dedicated to using our scale for good: good for people, our industry and the planet. From bold recycling initiatives and sustainable sourcing efforts to our partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities, we see every day as a chance to have a genuine impact on our customers, our people and our partners.

We're a people business just as much as we are a restaurant business. We strive to be the most inclusive brand in the world by building diverse teams who create delicious, feel good moments that are easy for everyone to enjoy. Joining McDonald's means thinking big every day and preparing for a career that can have impact around the world.

Company Vision and Culture...

Our Global vision is to build a better McDonald's and in the UK and Ireland we are working hard to be the UK & Irelands best-loved restaurant company.

McDonald's is defined by its culture. Our culture shapes and informs everything we think and everything we do. Our culture influences the way we interact with each other, and how we interact with customers, franchisees and suppliers. Our culture motivates and inspires us to attract and retain great talent, creating positive, energising, exceptional working environment for us all.

Our values drive our culture and shape our beliefs, our priorities and our actions. They influence the decisions we make, how we treat one another and how we show up as a brand to the world.

Serve: We put our customers and our people first

Inclusion: We open our doors to everyone

Integrity: We do the right thing

Community: We are good neighbours

Family: We get better together

Job Description

Regional Communications Officers play an important role as part of the UK & Ireland Corporate Affairs team, acting as the department's representatives in the field. Working closely with our Public Affairs team, the Scotland & Wales RCO will help the business navigate devolved policy and legislation that impacts our restaurant operation and license to operate. RCOs are also expected to devise and deliver an integrated communications plan that supports business growth, drives greater trust in the brand and supports franchisees in their role as local brand ambassadors. RCOs will build positive relationships with elected representatives, journalists and internal stakeholders, land positive news stories, respond to regional media queries, deliver brand campaigns, and support department and business colleagues in delivering key objectives.

What team will I be part of?
A member of the field-based Regional Communications team and a central part of the Corporate Affairs department. The team is a key business partner that protects and promotes the brand with a range of internal and external audiences, and is aligned behind our ambition to become the UK and Ireland's Best Loved Restaurant Company.

Who will my customers be?

• Scottish & Welsh Government
• Local, regional and national elected representatives
• Trade bodies - Scottish Retail Consortium, Welsh Retail Consortium & UK Hospitality
• Corporate Affairs department
• Franchisees, Restaurant Managers and Operations Colleagues
• Communications agencies
• Office and field-based departments
• Regional media and social influencers

What will my key accountabilities be?

• Develop, lead and implement a regional communications plan that aligns with department and business objectives, generating positive coverage within your local area; headlined by legacy-building 'hero' moments in the region. This will be led in partnership with franchisees, agencies and business colleagues.
• Proactively engage with Government, trade bodies and elected representatives on policy areas that could impact our restaurant operation. Working closely with the Public Affairs team, keeping the business informed on any policy developments, issues/opportunities and lobbying work.
• Develop a stakeholder engagement programme for both countries, identifying and engaging with a wide range of local MSPs, MPs, MS and government representatives, supported by the franchisee community.
• Lead on communicating positive news about McDonald's across Scotland & Wales, drafting press releases and developing impactful relationships with journalists.
• Maintain a strong working relationship with the franchisee community, supporting them in their role as brand ambassadors, and providing guidance and counsel on their stakeholder engagement and media relations.
• Assume responsibility for all regional press enquiries, responding to queries, and supporting the Press Office where necessary. This will include regular out of hours support.
• Assume responsibility for the delivery of a project and/or campaign on behalf of the Corporate Affairs department. This work will require developing a plan and framework, engaging all relevant agencies, setting and delivering against KPIs and managing the communication with internal audiences/partners.
• Support business growth plans, with communications support and local engagement for new restaurant applications, openings and extended-hours licensing applications.
• Work closely with department colleagues, owning regional audiences across all work and reporting back any insights, successes or challenges.

Qualifications

We are looking for an innovative and creative communicator who enjoys variety within their role and appreciates the value of relationship building and engagement. Strong knowledge and understanding of the Scottish & Welsh political landscape are preferred alongside the ability to understand business strategy and the role of communications to effectively shape and support it.
As a field-based role, it will suit a motivated, self-starting individual who will enjoy the autonomy and responsibility of managing and prioritising their time and resources and leading the development and implementation of their communications plan. Driving license essential (car or car allowance provided).

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 give 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."