Director, Government Relations; Dallas​/Nashville Field Offices

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.

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.

* This role is remote but candidates must live within the territory outlined above.

• 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.

• 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.

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree preferred
• 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,…