Senior Director, Government Relations Europe

**Company Description**
McDonald's Global Impact team is aligned around a mission to make McDonald’s one of the most respected, trusted, and loved brands in the world. We will do this through actions to drive responsible business growth, investments to champion community, values-based advocacy, and compelling communications that matter to our customers, our System, and our global partners.

Read more about our Purpose & Impact here. As part of operationalizing the Global Impact function, we have crafted the International Operated Markets (IOM) Impact team to bring together Communications, Government Relations, Sustainability & Social Impact, and Philanthropy to support the IOM Segment and Markets in alignment with McDonald's Impact priorities.

McDonald’s are looking to appoint a Senior Director of European Government Relations (GR) based in Brussels (Belgium) to lead and implement the strategy of the GR team, including McDonald’s government relations vis a vis the European Union and supporting our Markets.

**In this role you will**:

- ** Develop EU Government Relations strategies** and activities that advance McDonald’s goals and values.
- Devise and deliver a strategy to **influence relevant policy making** in the EU through initiative-taking and reactive government affairs, communications, building coalitions.
- Serve as the **lead point of contact** for matters related to European GR and support Markets in their development of GR strategies.
- Advise leadership on all matters relating to **EU legislation and public policy issues** of interest.
- Partner with Global GR and Public Policy Centre of Excellence to **contribute, shape and align** with the global strategy.
- ** Partner with other functions** (e.g., Supply Chain, Marketing, Legal, Operations, Sustainability, Insights) on relevant public policy or legislative matters.
- ** Lead and develop** a team of two direct reports and work with Impact leads across all IOM markets aligning with McDonald’s Impact priorities.
- Be an **active member** of the IOM Impact leadership team.
- ** Represent McDonalds** in meetings with decision
- and opinion-makers and in relevant Trade Associations to advance McDonald’s interests.
- The role reports to the VP - Chief International Impact Officer - IOM

**Qualifications** Skills, Education & Personal Qualities Required.**
- **Education**: BA/BS degree in Political Science, Public Affairs, or a related field.
- ** Government Relations**: Comprehensive experience in EU government relations, public policy, or a related field.
- ** Political Systems**: Practical understanding of political systems in general and practice in EU political systems specifically.
- ** Existing Network**: Strong relationships with EU Institutions and/or customers.
- ** Experience**: Significant, demonstrable experience in relevant field required

**Personal Qualities.**
- ** Influencing Skills**: adept at influencing key external policy makers as well as internal decision makers through excellent written, verbal and influencing communication skills, integrity, flexibility, and personability.
- ** Strategic Execution**: Adept at delivery in a fast-paced & ever-changing environment, leading multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- ** People Leadership**: Confident in leading a government relations team to deliver tangible results.
- ** Enthusiastic and inclusive**: Builds and encourages collaborative teams & accountability - both direct and indirect.
- ** Communication Skills**: Outstanding written, verbal and influencing communication skills, professionalism, flexibility, and personability.
- Strong desire to work in a dynamic corporate environment, across leadership levels and with multiple cross-functional teams around the world.

**Additional Information**
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.