Director - Global Labor Relations

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. As the global leader in the food service industry, our legacy of innovation and hard work continues to drive us.

From drive thru updates to delivery to mobile order and pay, we are innovating quickly and growing. Joining McDonald's means thinking big and preparing for a career that can have influence around the world.

We are looking for a Labor Relations Director to help develop a global labor relations framework. You will partner with our international markets to provide support when necessary and help implement and execute a global labor relations strategy.  This role provides strategic advice and consultation to market leadership regarding a broad range of trends and optional strategies, programs and activities. 

In this role, you will also:

Lead

• Play a key role in the long-term strategies and advise on department services and allocation of resources to meet the needs of the organization.
• Assist and chair cross-functional teams accountable for execution of strategic priorities designed to prepare and promote the brand and business model.
• Support international markets in identifying systemic legal risks and collaborate with those markets on response strategies that are consistent with our values.
• Lead innovation and the development of tools, materials, training courses and communications to maintain a positive work environment that supports our values and brand standards in our restaurants and that is consistent with the company’s overall business and human capital strategies.
• Lead efforts on system-wide needs assessments to identify internal/external strengths, risks and workplace patterns and defines strategies for intervention.
• Partner with corporate and market leaders to develop and enhance effective communication strategies to maintain awareness of labor trends.
• Focus on finding opportunities to elevate employer brand reputation and crew-first mindset through existing initiatives.
• Actively stays abreast of labor trends, legislative and regulatory developments or updates that may impact the brand.
• Oversee and mentor team members (1-3) to ensure exceptional customer service and results.

Advise and Influence

• Maintain system awareness of events that impact the business of our restaurants and resources to minimize any impact.
• Counsel leaders to address issues with workforce-related conduct and policies and practices.
• Provide strategic thought-partnership on the development and execution of short and long-term solutions to address complex labor relations matters (i.e. discrimination, harassment, workplace violence, safety, etc.), consistent with company policies and practices and limits exposure to legal liability.
• Ensure sufficient and effective external resources are available to support on complex labor relations matters.
• Partner with market teams to evaluate strengths, opportunities and risks and develops localized plans to prepare and promote the brand.
• Provide strategic advice and subject-matter-expertise to internal and external partners and/or markets during the development and execution of company strategies and programs.
• Advocate for the adoption and execution of employee engagement best practices and McDonald’s people standards.

• You will have a solid understanding of international labor relations principles and ability to educate partners on labor relations matters and labor law;
  • Experience in labor relations in within large, complex global organizations supporting multiple countries would be highly beneficial: Canada, Australia, UK, Germany, France, Spain.
• Proven ability to demonstrate and synthesize information, anticipate business needs, and find practical solutions to business challenges.
• Shown experience managing and leading during uncertainty and change.
• Validated critical thinker with a bias for action and understands how to drive clarity amidst ambiguity.
• Proven track record of managing multi-faceted and large-scale initiatives under tight deadlines.

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrated values-based leadership and decision-making to foster a culture of trust, respect, and inclusion.
• Effective relationship builder and communicator that collaborates with multiple partners to set objectives and influence outcomes.
• Effective people leader and coach that aligns team(s) to strategic objectives and develops self and talent for the future.

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.