People Experience Partner - HR Generalist

McDonald's Corporation; London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a People Partner to join their dynamic Corporate team in London. This pivotal role involves working closely with senior leaders to enhance HR strategies across global functions, handling the full employee lifecycle, and driving culture and engagement initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess in-depth knowledge of UK employment law and experience in a generalist HR capacity, with a focus on building trust and credibility across diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Solid experience in a generalist HR role, ideally within a complex, global organisation.
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law.
• Experience managing a range of ER cases with confidence.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary HR contact for Director-level leaders and below.
• Lead on complex employee relations cases.
• Drive local engagement initiatives and cultural transformation efforts.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Employee Relations Expertise

Agility & Initiative

Project Leadership

Tech-Savvy

Education

HR Generalist Experience

Job description

Company Description:

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a fast-paced, collaborative People team at one of the world’s most iconic brands. In this role, you’ll work closely with senior leaders across our Global Corporate functions, helping them bring their people strategies to life. You’ll act as a trusted advisor-coaching leaders, shaping solutions, and supporting the full spectrum of HR generalist activity, from employee relations and performance management to partnering with our specialist teams in recruitment, reward, and mobility.

You’ll also play a key role in driving culture and engagement initiatives, contributing to projects that make a real impact on how our people experience work. With plenty of variety and visibility, this role is ideal for someone who enjoys wearing multiple hats, thrives in a matrixed environment, and is excited by the opportunity to influence at all levels.

If you're a proactive, curious, and people-first HR professional who thrives on variety and wants to make a meaningful impact in a supportive, high-performing team-we’d love to hear from you.

Job Description:

As a People Partner, you’ll play a pivotal role in supporting our UK-based Global Corporate population-the largest outside our global headquarters. Your responsibilities will span the full employee lifecycle and offer exposure to a wide range of HR disciplines. Key areas of accountability include:

• Partnering with Leaders: Act as the primary HR contact for Director-level leaders and below, providing strategic and operational support across all people matters.
• Employee Relations: Lead on complex ER cases, including performance, grievance, and capability issues, ensuring fair outcomes and alignment with UK employment law.
• Coaching & Capability Building: Coach line managers globally, enhancing their confidence and capability in managing people effectively.
• Global Mobility & Immigration: Collaborate with our Immigration Manager, Deloitte, and Global Mobility teams to manage cross-border moves and ensure compliance with sponsorship requirements.
• Culture & Engagement: Drive local engagement initiatives and recognition moments (e.g., Employee Appreciation Day, World Mental Health Day), and support broader cultural transformation efforts.
• People Insights: Analyse and interpret employee feedback (e.g., Pulse Survey results) to inform action planning and improve the employee experience.
• Reward & Recognition: Support the year-end compensation cycle through data validation and coordination with our Reward team.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and global People Partners to ensure alignment and consistency in people practices, while tailoring solutions to the UK context.

What Team will I be a part?

You’ll be based in our London office, working alongside our vibrant community of Corporate Global employees. Reporting to the Senior Manager, People Partner (also London-based), you’ll form a close-knit duo supporting a diverse and strategically important population. You’ll also be part of the wider People Partnering team, collaborating across borders to deliver a world-class employee experience.

Who are my customers?

Your key customers will include:

• UK-based employeeswithin our Global Corporate functions-spanning a wide range of disciplines and seniority levels.
• Senior business leaders, including around 15 senior stakeholders based in the UK, many of whom lead global teams.
• Line managers across the globe, particularly those based in the US, who manage UK-based employees and rely on your expertise to navigate local employment practices.
• People team colleagues, including global People Partners and CoE specialists, with whom you’ll collaborate to deliver seamless, people-first solutions.
• External partners, such as our immigration advisors and mobility consultants, who support the movement and compliance of our international talent.

You’ll be a connector, coach, and consultant-helping your leaders navigate complexity, make informed decisions, and create a great experience for our people.

Qualifications:

We’re looking for a well-rounded HR professional who thrives in a global, fast-paced environment and is excited by the opportunity to influence across borders. The ideal candidate will bring:

• HR Generalist Experience: Solid experience in a generalist HR role, ideally within a complex, matrixed, or global organisation.
• Employee Relations Expertise: Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and experience managing a range of ER cases with confidence and sensitivity.
• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to build trust and credibility with senior leaders and cross-functional teams, including international stakeholders.
• Project Leadership: Experience leading or contributing to people-related projects, particularly in areas like culture, engagement, or change.
• Global Mindset: Comfort working across time zones and cultures, with an appreciation for the nuances of global HR practices.
• Agility & Initiative: A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and adapt to changing needs.
• Tech-Savvy: Comfortable using HR systems and tools to analyse data, generate insights, and streamline processes.

Additional Information:

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.