Sr Manager, Communications

Job 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.

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.

The Global Communications function is responsible for telling the incredible stories of our business, brand and impact.

This role is part of the Global External Affairs team that develops integrated communications and media engagement strategies that bring to life the Brand’s business strategy.

This role reports to the Director of Global Corporate Communications and is responsible for leading external storytelling to advance McDonald’s growth priorities, with a heavy focus on media relations.

The Business Communications Sr. Manager is part of the Global External Affairs team that develops integrated communications and media engagement strategies to deliver McDonald’s business strategy and strengthen the brand through advocacy and action with a focus on our global growth pillars. This role reports to the Director of Global Corporate Communications, and primary responsibilities would include leading media relations, stakeholder engagement and executive visibility to advance storytelling related to McDonald’s growth strategy.

This role is based at McDonald’s Headquarters in the West Loop of Chicago.

In addition to following McDonald’s policies and procedures, responsibilities include:

• Develop integrated external affairs and media strategies that advance McDonald’s global growth pillars.
• Apply strong critical thinking and business/media landscape understanding to identify opportunities that elevate McDonald’s narrative.
• Manage relationships with priority media, industry experts, suppliers, and partners.

• Use business acumen and insights to drive proactive earned‑media moments that deliver breakthrough storytelling.
• Own and evolve McDonald’s external narrative; continuously source insights, data, and trends to uncover newsworthy opportunities.
• Build and execute earned‑media strategies that generate impactful global coverage.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with top‑tier media outlets.
• Identify and develop executive visibility opportunities tied to major business moments (e.g., earnings, global launches, category announcements).
• Lead integrated communications campaigns in partnership with cross‑functional teams.
• Develop high‑quality communications materials, including media strategies, messaging, press releases, statements, Q&A, and creative assets.
• Lead reactive media preparedness, including issues management and response strategy.
• Prepare senior leaders and subject matter experts for high‑stakes media engagements through briefings and coaching.

• Partner with global and market‑level communications teams to deliver cohesive, enterprise‑wide storytelling moments.
• Collaborate with SMEs across Marketing, Finance, Technology, Restaurant Experience, Menu, Supply Chain, and Legal to ensure message alignment.
• Serve as a trusted external affairs advisor, ensuring a unified corporate viewpoint on priority initiatives.

• Significant experience with top‑tier global…