Manager, Operations Excellence (Comms & Operational Change)

McDonald's Corporation; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A global fast-food leader is seeking an Operational Excellence Manager to drive comprehensive communications strategies and manage change initiatives within their technology team. This role focuses on stakeholder engagement, team collaboration, and ensuring smooth transitions during operational changes. Ideal candidates will bring rich experience in communications management and a strong understanding of change management principles, with a commitment to personal development and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of managing communications effectively across teams.
• Strong understanding of technology initiatives.
• Ability to influence and engage effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of communications strategies.
• Design and manage Change Management processes.
• Personal development, motivation, and coaching of the team.

Skills

Communications management

Change Management

Team collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Industry-recognized qualifications in Change Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Graphic software tools

Job description

Overview

As an Operational Excellence (Communications & Operational Change) Manager within IOM Technology you will be responsible for leading the development and execution of comprehensive communications strategy focused on tailoring internal communications strategy and driving strategic communications and segment narrative across IOM technology. You will also support landing operational and cross‑functional process changes across our wider team.

Accountabilities

Communications Strategy

• Developing and implementing communications strategy to engage key audiences.
• Drives the development of Segment‑level narratives inclusive of developing messages connected to key technology initiatives and their market outcomes.
• Leads development and execution of communications plans for segment narrative which aligns to strategic reporting.
• Influencing wider support or enabling discussion on key outcomes across leadership forums through pre‑reads, discussion decks, and talking points.
• Considering globally distributed team across multiple time zones.
• Partner across Technology and Operational Excellence colleagues to support IOM Segment in delivering communication priorities.
• Builds strong trusted relationships with the Global Market and Segment teams to deliver communications aligned to Technology objectives and goals.
• Serves as a strategic thought partner and advisor to Global Segment and Market teams on cross‑functional communications strategies, templates and tools.
• Develops best practice internal team communications such as personnel announcements, key SLT messages and Executive forums.
• Supports overarching technology narrative for Segment‑wide forums.
• Works with business SMEs and agencies to develop creative presentations for key moments to support Senior leaders.
• Identifies and elevates technology best‑in‑class examples from Segment and markets to showcase in global channels.

Operational Change Management

• Responsible for the design, planning and execution of Change Management across the wider team and segment initiatives or ways of working.
• Collaborates with team leaders and subject‑matter experts across the team to understand strategic goals, current operational processes, user groups and target state.
• Supports and guides transition from current state to target state and defines and plans change activities to support key phases of initiatives to meet business needs.
• Prepares change management strategies focusing on smooth transitions, success and adoption.
• Consults with team members and identifies and manages anticipated barriers to change.
• Works closely with Leadership Teams to support the implementation of continuous improvement.
• Fosters a network across Global and Lead Market teams to build and coordinate multi‑functional change programmes.
• Supports user adoption and embedding desired changes.
• Drives people‑focused activities to support employee engagement.
• Drives alignment and focus on improving, optimizing and streamlining processes.
• Defines and realizes value by supporting our people through the change journey.
• Drives best practice and standardisation.
• Captures feedback from Market Technology teams on Global Technology initiatives to apply stakeholder feedback and adaptations.
• Supports measurement of adoption success and corrective action plans as required on internal change initiatives.

People Management

• Personal development, motivation and coaching of direct report.
• Sets and supports alignment of goals and outcomes to overall team.
• Promotes continuous improvement in ways of working.

What team will I be part of

• You will join the Operational Excellence team within the Global IOM Technology team which forms part of Global Technology.
• Global IOM Technology supports the International Operated Markets (IOM) segment comprising of the largest 16 markets outside the USA.
• These consist of IOM Markets: Australia & New Zealand, Canada, Germany & Luxembourg, France, UK & Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and IOM BU Markets: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic & Slovakia, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and Ukraine.
• The IOM Technology Team partners with our international markets to support their shared needs, adoption and deployment of global products and services.
• With shared expertise and best practice we aim to support the growth performance and experience of a better McDonald’s through technology.
• Global IOM Technology is a corporate team made up of the following areas of focus:
• Strategy & Planning – Operational Excellence team sits within this.
• Solution Readiness
• Data Enablement
• IOM & BU Segment Technologies

Who are my customers

• Global IOM Technology leadership – align comms outcomes and plans with functional leaders and enable them to plan, prioritize and deliver.
• Subject‑matter experts across the department advocating and demonstrating innovative ways of communicating.
• Market Technology Leads ensuring our strategic storytelling is simple, consistent and with clear outcomes.
• Partnering across the Operational Excellence community with other technology teams.
• Markets collaborating with Market Leads to celebrate and showcase success or represent opportunities to influence.

What background do I need to have

You will have the mind‑set and real‑life experience to lead communications and support changes in a large and complex business.

You are someone who can think strategically and work across all levels within the organisation, acting with integrity and managing upwards accordingly.

Qualifications

• A proven track record of managing communications effectively across cross‑functional teams, global and segment structures and matrix organisations.
• A strong understanding or interest in technology initiatives and desire to learn.
• An understanding of Change Management principles, techniques and tools – industry‑recognised qualifications is a plus (e.g. Prosci, ADKAR).
• The ability to influence and engage effectively.
• Strong communications and storytelling experience.
• Works with energy, empathy and passion and can inspire the same in others.
• Able to quickly forge genuine and collaborative relationships with stakeholders.
• Highly collaborative workstyle with the ability to engage and mobilise teams around common goals.
• The ability to spot problems and solve them creatively, establishing best practice routines.
• Curious mind‑set, never settling for the status quo and advocating for continuous improvement.
• You actively seek and act upon feedback and proactively work on your personal and professional development.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and graphic software tools.

Additional Information

At McDonald’s we are people from all walks of life. People are at the heart of everything we do and they make the McDonald’s experience. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture that means people can be their best authentic selves in our restaurants and offices which helps us to better serve our customers. We have a strong heritage of diversity and representation within our communities which we are proud of. The diversity of our people, customers, franchisees and suppliers gives us strength.

We do not tolerate inequality, injustice or discrimination of any kind. These are hugely important issues and a brand with our reach and relevance means we have a very meaningful role to play.

We also recognise our responsibility as a large employer to continue being active in our communities helping to develop skills and drive aspirations that will help people to be more aware of the world of work and more successful within it whether with McDonald’s or elsewhere.

Remote Work: No

Employment Type: Full‑time

Key Skills

Computer Science, Operational Risk Management, Risk Management, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, Lean, Process Improvement, Pricing, Customer Support, Alteryx, Kaizen, Project Management Lifecycle

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1