Chicago--Manager, U.S. Media Relations--McDonalds

About the Job
McDonalds is the largest and best-known global foodservice retailer with more than 30,000 restaurants, serving 46 million customers each day in 121 countries. Our outstanding brand recognition, experienced management, high-quality food, site development expertise, advanced operational systems and unique global infrastructure position us to capitalize on global opportunities. We plan to expand our leadership position through great tasting food, superior service, everyday value & convenience. Visit our web site to learn more about us.

About U.S. Media Relations:

The U.S. Media Relations Department develops and executes national media relations strategies designed to proactively tell McDonald's story and deliver consistent, strategic brand messages to all external audiences. The department also manages brand reputation through crisis management across multiple disciplines of McDonald's USA, to help promote and protect brand McDonald's.

Manager of Media Relations: The Role

Working with the Sr. Manager, the Manager of U.S. Media Relations is responsible for providing media relations and crisis and issues management and other responsibilities to support McDonald's U.S. Leadership, home office departments as well as local markets, franchisees, suppliers and others, to help develop and execute media relations strategies that support business priorities, programs and leadership initiatives and executives that drive U.S. business plans.

Employee Responsibilities:

* Assist in the development of media relations strategies and opportunities to help strengthen consumer trust for brand McDonald's at a national and local level.
* Field and manage day-to-day media inquiries.
* Manage brand impacting issues and crisis situations.
* Create and sustain media relationships with national print and broadcast media.
* Execute proactive media placements to promote brand McDonald's and support the U.S. business strategy.
* Facilitate media interviews with company leadership and other internal subject matter experts.
* Facilitate media, crisis and issues management training for leadership, staff, franchisees, suppliers and agency partners.
* Work with the social media and dialog teams to assist with message development and alignment.
* Write and edit press releases, media statements and other relevant communications materials.

Media Relations Strategy & Counsel:

* Identify and media train appropriate company spokespeople for interviews.
* Manage media issues, including support of the 24-hour field assistance MAP Line.
* Actively support marketing initiatives with external communication strategies and support.
* Collaborate with other groups within and outside the department, including field marketing and communications, as well as agencies to ensure alignment and provide support/counsel for national and local media relations and crisis management efforts.
* Counsel partners on effective ways to reach key internal and external audiences with McDonald's messages.
* Gather, analyze and incorporate appropriate brand and industry research to ensure that media relations strategy resonates with, and motivates, McDonald's audiences.
* Measure and merchandise success of media relations strategy and how specific placements help to drive positive business results.

People / Relationship Management:

* Help ensure alignment and synergy with U.S. Marketing and Global Media Relation Team, as well as other functional teams within U.S. Communications and the U.S. Business.
* Build working relationships within and outside of the department / company.
* Participate in maximizing team effectiveness, efficiency, alignment and collaboration across the department.

Skills Requirements:

* Undergraduate degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or other related field.
* 5-7 years Media Relations and Crisis Management experience.
* Demonstrated knowledge of social/new media technology as well as traditional print and broadcast media and crisis and issues management.
* Experience working with public relations agencies, account/business management.
* Must enjoy working in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, deadline-oriented dynamic environment with constant change.
* Detail-oriented, self-starter and good team player.
* Solution oriented problem solver.
* Results-oriented and creative, strategic thinker.
* Networking and relationship-building skills are imperative.
* High level of strategic focus, planning, perspective.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to influence and motivate others in an appropriate manner.
* 25 ' 30% travel required.

To apply Go to McDonalds website code 5230-DP/​JP