Director, Government Relations (Dallas & Nashville Field Offices)

Company Description

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 of outstanding 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.

Job Description

McDonald’s North America Impact Team is seeking a Director, Government Relations, supporting the company’s Dallas and Nashville Field offices. The role will report to the VP, US State & Local Government Relations and Community & Public Affairs.

The Director will serve as the government relations representative for McDonald’s in a territory that includes some or all of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas.

Role is remote. Candidates must live within the territory outlined above though.

A successful candidate will lead a dynamic team of government relations (GR) and community affairs professionals and consultants to develop and implement comprehensive advocacy strategies to shape state and local legislative and regulatory activities that support the McDonald’s system. Director must anticipate legislation, public policy trends and emerging issues with potential impact on McDonald’s including those related to franchising, business operations, workforce development, sustainability, technology, food and nutrition. 

The Director will represent McDonald’s point of view and steer active engagement with key stakeholders including: policymakers, local elected officials and leaders, suppliers, owner/operators, business groups and trade associations. Director will contribute to meaningful thought leadership both externally and internally and protect and enhance the company’s reputation through their work.

Responsibilities:

STRATEGIC PLANNING and CRITICAL THINKING

• Develop and executive comprehensive advocacy strategies that shape state legislative activity and advance business priorities, through direct lobbying, trade association management and engagement with third-party groups / coalitions.
• Proactively assess state and local political and public policy environment, develop an informed business point of view, determine where legislative and regulatory action is advisable and where it is not, and effectively socialize recommendations in order to build appropriate strategic buy-in, including with Senior Leadership.
• Represent McDonald’s in matters of state and local legislation, regulations, or rules that have an impact on the System and state/local business operations, and drive favorable resolutions to those matters.
• Serve as thought-leader across broader North America Impact organization to ensure effective strategy integration that acknowledges the intersection of state and national politics and the business policy environment.

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT:

• Develop values-driven goals with direct reports, outline expectations to guide their efforts, and provide frequent feedback to ensure accountability.
• Develop close working relationships with key business partners – including suppliers, owner / operators, field teams in order to develop a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities and ensure GR strategies best support McDonald’s objectives in the territory.
• Align cross-functionally and inform expectations of the business regarding the legislative and regulatory environment and the potential impact on the company.
• Cultivate and maintain strong external relationships with state legislators and staff, state executive branch officials, regulators, and local government officials in order to anticipate action and execute effective GR strategies.
• Lead and manage engagement with key working groups and coalitions, and drive action on key issues of importance to McDonald’s.
• Manage outside consultants and legal counsel within region, setting objectives for action plans and ensuring optimal execution of GR strategies.
• Ensure rigorous compliance to all legally required lobbying and ethics rules and registrations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree
• 10 years of experience in lobbying, campaigns, public administration, political party activity, legislative staff work, or related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of legislative rules and procedures, legislative processes, politics, and how government makes decisions.
• Ability to master complex policy and legislative issues, think creatively, and develop and execute innovative strategies and solutions including through: lobbying, association engagement, third party advocacy, digital/social/earned media
• Strong executive presence necessary. Ability to deal effectively with high-profile stakeholders such as elected officials, executives and a variety of external constituencies; including ability to influence and navigate political landscape.
• Ability to lead and influence diverse stakeholders and coalitions
• Ability to act independently and demonstrate sound, ethical business judgment.
• Possess strong analytical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills, the ability to speak and write persuasively, authentically and with clarity
• Strong organizational skills, flexibility and adaptability to changing requirements and with tenacity, resourcefulness and creativity
• Strong attention to detail, a proven track record of being able to work under deadlines and an ability to work collaboratively in a fluid, highly demanding culture while effectively collaborating with business leaders and other internal stakeholders.

Additional Information

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.