Director, Government Relations (Columbus & Atlanta Field Offices)

Job Description
McDonald’s North America Impact Team is seeking a Director, Government Relations, supporting the company’s Columbus and Atlanta 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:
Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia.
This role is remote. Candidates must live within territories listed above.
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:
STRATEGICPLANNINGandCRITICALTHINKING
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.
STAKEHOLDERMANAGEMENT:
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.