Senior Manager, Internal Communications

About Us

McDonalds has run its business in the UK since 1974 and currently operates over 1500 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, serving almost four million customers each day. McDonalds is one of the UKs largest private sector employers, employing over 170,000 people.

Hybrid Working

This role is based in our East Finchley office working 3 days in the office and 2 days remotely

The Opportunity
Internal Communications (part of the Impact team), is predominantly managed by a small in-house team who look after a number of channels and provide support to the UK & Ireland business on general day-to-day communication, projects and business priorities, as well as leadership communications and quarterly Town Halls and the companys AGM.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Impact, this is an exciting opportunity to lead the internal communications team and provide effective communication to our key audiences, enabling them to do their jobs, feel part of the business and act as advocates of the brand.

• Build trust and confidence in the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, and belief in the Company Vision, Purpose and Strategy. Our people play a pivotal role in shaping the customer experience and external reputation; their trust, belief and advocacy is critical.
• Help our various audiences (Franchisees, Restaurant Teams, Company employees and Suppliers) understand their role in executing our strategy and driving business performance and engender buy-in to the business purpose and vision; create a sense of the future that is both motivating and credible.
• Work closely with the Director of Franchisee Engagement, in the Operations team, on a joined-up approach to engaging our Franchisees across all touch-points
• In conjunction with HR, help shape the culture of the organisation, since the way a company communicates, the conversations it has with its workforce (throughout the company) and its willingness to listen to and give them a voice, will have a considerable impact on culture.
• Promote, articulate and champion the function internally and build respect for its contribution and value.

What You'll Be Doing

Strategy, Planning, Insight & Measurement

• Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to understand business objectives/strategic priorities and desired outcomes.
• Develop and implement an internal communications strategy, an overarching evidence-based narrative and supporting plans/campaigns that will engage employees with the Company Strategy and vision.
• Measurement and evaluation of all internal channels.

Stakeholder Management

• Provide honest advice and coaching to the Senior Leadership Team, advising them on visibility, messaging, tone of voice etc. Provide feedback on how communications is landing, and play a key role in shaping both leadership behaviours and its language and tone of voice.
• Provide strategic counsel and advice within key business groups and committees
• Manage communication channels and create key communications talking points and scripts for the Leadership Team to ensure visibility throughout the system, and to continually evidence the corporate narrative.
• Project lead, organise and deliver the key business meetings: the AGM as well as support of ad hoc events such as the Managers Conference and the Global Worldwide Convention.

Content, Channels and Campaigns

• Shape and articulate a credible, authentic and motivating corporate narrative that can flex in order to resonate with a diverse collection of employee audiences and cultures.
• On-going review of internal communication infrastructure including online and offline communication channels to ensure a robust and effective framework for two-way communication
• Develop content to support and bring to life business campaigns that are designed to drive engagement, behavioural and/or business outcomes. Bring the employer brand to life through a wide range of channels, campaigns and activities.
• Work with agency partners to develop content, campaigns and other bought-in expertise. Ensure briefs are rigorous and insightful.
• Ensure that internal communications is aligned with wider corporate and external communications programmes and with the companys brand, purpose and tone of voice.

Leadership of the function

• Professionalise and upskill the internal communications function. Inspire them to work creatively as well as collectively.
• Provide support and strategic internal communications counsel across the organisation, particularly during times of crisis and/or major disruption or reputation related events.
• Build and maintain relationships with wider Impact team (Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, Campaigns and Media) as well as key individuals in National Operations, Franchising and People Team. Go to person for all Department Heads.
• Provide leadership within the Global internal communications team. Ensure the delivery of integrated, cohesive and coherent integrated communications plans across the business and consistency of message.
• Overall, manage the development, performance and delivery of the team.

Leadership and Change Management

• Shape and manage communications around leadership, culture and change, ensuring that there is a consistent and coherent approach to communications
• Work in close collaboration with People Team (HR & Reputation) and Change Director to ensure that employer Brand and change communications and engagement is effectively managed across the company, and ladders up to the Company purpose and Vision so that they make sense.

What You'll Need

• Experience of managing internal communications in a global company with a dispersed and culturally diverse workforce
• Seasoned communications professional with extensive experience of operating and advising at the most senior level of a company
• Proven ability to convert business strategy and CEO vision into a narrative (or individual messages) that will resonate with employees. An understanding of how good storytelling can help reinforce positive behaviour
• Thorough understanding of how communications can impact employees and influence their behaviours (and therefore the strengths and limitations of different channels and methodologies). In-depth knowledge of the range and variety of communications channels, platforms and processes to ensure effective and timely communication and engagement
• Proven expertise in managing internal stakeholders and experience of how to work and influence senior management
• First class written and verbal communications skills and the ability to distil complex issues and express them clearly, authoritatively and in a manner/style that engages audiences
• Creative judgment, with the ability to implement campaigns and activities that get cut through.
• Knowledge of internal and external social media and the latest channels/platforms and how social media can be used to enhance engagement, collaboration and advocacy
• Displays good judgement that builds trust in credibility as a discipline expert
• Excellent inter- personal skills with the ability to build good relationships across businesses, functions and geographies
• Understanding of how to work closely with HR and how to optimise the value of benefits of a close integrated approach to internal communications and employee engagement
• Professional style and manner gravitas, authority and credibility
• Comfort and experience working in a fast paced and changing working environment
• Display leadership behaviours and characteristics and a desire to develop self
• Empower and support team members passion to develop talent
• Experience and an ability to think outside of the box to solve problems
• Facilitate others adapt in challenging circumstances or during periods of change
• Work with energy and passion and inspire the same in others
• Build a feedback-rich environment that inspires and models the exchange of feedback
• Curious mind set, confident, independent and logical problem solver

What You'll Get

• Competitive salary, plus a comprehensive benefits package including Bonus, location Allowance, car Allowance, free parking, lunch and gym access.
• Access to industry-leading training and career development opportunities.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture, where your ideas are valued.

Company Vision and Culture

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

McDonalds 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

At McDonalds we are People from all Walks of Life...

People are at the heart of everything we do, and they make the McDonalds 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 McDonalds or elsewhere.

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