Specialist, Government

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**Company Description**

At McDonald's, we are committed to being the best, and that starts with finding the best people. We have built a team of extraordinary people from around the world. We are problem solvers, risk takers, innovators, and thought leaders that take our work seriously, but have fun doing it. We challenge ourselves to get smarter and sharper every day, we value personal and professional growth, and believe in rewarding and celebrating our successes.

**Position title**:Government & Public Policy Specialist
**Department**: Corporate Relations
**Position band**: Specialist (Global Grade 2)
**Reports to**: Senior Manager, Government & Public Policy
**Type of position**: Full-time, permanent

**The Opportunity**
In this role on the McDonald's Canada Impact team, you will provide government relations advocacy and stakeholder relations support to protect McDonald's business interests and enhance brand trust. Reporting to the Senior Manager, you will analyze government legislation and regulation that negatively impact the McDonald's system, implement strategies to eliminate or mitigate harmful impacts on corporate and franchised operations, and manage related industry and stakeholder relations activities.

**Who You Are**
You are a strong communicator who can effectively support our system in a fast-paced environment. You have the ability to build strong relationships and work collaboratively in a team environment with both internal and external parties. You are a protector of the Brand who always has an ear to the ground to mitigate risks.

**What’s in it for you?**
This is an unparalleled opportunity to join a winning organization. You will gain exposure across all levels of the organization, from your team members to the Executives and Franchisees. You are looking for a company with a winning culture where you can grow in depth and breadth while making a tangible impact on central initiatives.

**Responsibilities**:
**Policy Analysis, Strategy Execution, and Issues Management**:

- Monitor and assess emerging federal, provincial and municipal legislative and regulatory activities to evaluate impacts on the McDonald’s system.
- Implement and execute against corporate objectives, policies, practices and positions on critical public affairs issues that reflect input from relevant areas of the business.
- Support government relations and stakeholder relations strategies to respond to emerging issues or to advance issues of priority to the McDonald’s system; as well as drive trust in our brand.
- Provide background briefings to enable senior managers to lobby on critical issues to influence government policy to achieve McDonald’s objectives.
- Execute programs to optimize the effectiveness of the McDonald's grassroots system of franchisees, suppliers and business partners.
- Work upon a wide range of critical issues and initiatives concurrently, implementation of tactics, grassroots activation of franchisees and suppliers, management of timeframes and critical paths, and preparation of related tools and support materials.

**Communications and Stakeholder Relations**:

- Prepare and distribute to the McDonald’s system clear and concise status updates and briefing materials for current and emerging issues, and conduct verbal briefings as needed.
- Input insights into the preparation of position papers and submissions to government and public agencies outlining McDonald's and/or the industry’s position on key issues.
- Use a range of approaches for ongoing communication with government officials, stakeholders, and influencers in the course of managing issues and initiatives.
- Use information and intelligence from industry associations and coalitions in the development of positions to ensure that McDonald's interests are represented.
- Develop and maintain key messages, Q+A, issues notes, calls to action, and related tools for the effective management of critical issues and initiatives.

***This position is a Flex Hybrid Model, requiring 3 days in-office and 2 days remote**

**Qualifications**
- 2-3 years of experience in a government relations capacity or related field. Knowledge of industry issues including employment standards, taxation, environment, franchising, food safety, supply management, extended producer responsibility, nutrition etc.
- Bachelors degree in a related discipline is helpful, but not required.
- Demonstrated experience in policy/legislative processes and political dynamics. Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking capabilities.
- Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Team player with proven ability to build relationships and foster collaboration across functional areas.
- French language considered an asset.
- Some travel within Canada will be required.

**Additional Information