Sr Director, Strategy & Planning

McDonald's; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

McDonalds UKI is seeking a Senior Director, Strategy, Insights to shape growth priorities and translate enterprise priorities into practical plans. You will lead cross-functional initiatives, combine consumer insights with commercial judgment, and influence senior decision-makers across a matrix organisation.

You will collaborate with global partners, build the strategy team's capability, and drive disciplined problem solving to deliver actionable roadmaps and governance.

Qualifications

• Strong strategy consulting and/or corporate strategy experience.
• Track record of consumer-centric commercial strategies.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and turning analysis into actionable recommendations.
• Experience operating in matrixed environments and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, financial and commercial capability.
• People leadership and team development for a Senior Director role.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve the UKI strategy function's operating rhythm.
• Coordinate annual and longer-term strategic planning for the UKI.
• Partner with senior leaders to develop consumer-led strategies for profitable growth.
• Translate insights into practical roadmaps and governance.
• Build relationships across UKI, international and global organisations.
• Develop capability of the strategy team and promote disciplined problem solving.

Skills

Strategy consulting

Corporate strategy

Analytical thinking

Commercial judgement

People leadership

Stakeholder influence

Job description

Job Description:

About Us

McDonalds has run its business in the UK since 1974 and currently operates over 1500 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, serving almost four million customers each day. McDonalds is one of the UKs largest private sector employers, employing over 170,000 people.

Department Overview

Reporting to the UKI business leadership, the Senior Director, Strategy, Insights will play a central role in shaping and supporting the UKI growth agenda. The role will translate enterprise and market priorities into clear strategic choices, generate and assess opportunities for sustainable growth, and provide high-quality insight to support leadership decisions. Working collaboratively across the UKI business and with global and international partners, the Senior Director will help define strategic priorities, lead selected cross-functional initiatives and build alignment around practical plans. The role requires a strong balance of strategic thinking, commercial judgement and hands‑on delivery, with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders without relying on formal authority. This role offers significant exposure to senior leadership and provides a strong platform for continued development into broader leadership positions.

Duties

• Lead and continuously improve the UKI strategy function's operating rhythm, working closely with functional, market and enterprise partners.

• Coordinate the annual and longer‑term strategic planning process for the UKI, supporting clear prioritisation, resource choices and alignment with enterprise direction.

• Partner with senior leaders to develop robust, consumer‑led strategies that support profitable growth and market share performance. Lead selected high‑priority, cross‑functional initiatives from problem definition through recommendation and implementation planning.

• Bring together consumer, commercial, competitive and operational insight to identify opportunities, challenge assumptions and improve decision quality. Translate strategic choices into practical roadmaps, measures and governance, working with accountable business owners to maintain momentum.

• Build strong relationships across the UKI, international and global organisation to share learning, access expertise and connect market priorities. Maintain an informed view of the external environment, competitor activity and changing consumer needs relevant to the UKI market.

• Develop the capability of the strategy team and broader organisation by promoting disciplined problem solving, evidence‑based decisions and effective prioritisation

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an accomplished strategist with relevant experience in a top‑tier strategy consulting environment and/or a corporate strategy role. They will combine structured thinking and analytical depth with strong commercial instincts and a practical approach to implementation. Comfortable operating with ambiguity, the candidate will be able to frame complex questions, develop clear recommendations and engage senior decision‑makers across a matrixed organisation.

The successful candidate will be collaborative, low‑ego and delivery focused. They will demonstrate the judgement to know when to challenge, when to build consensus and how to move from strategic ambition to executable action.

Required Leadership Skills

• Strategic orientation: Thinks beyond the immediate issue, connects external trends and internal performance, and translates insight into focused choices for the UKI business.

• Results orientation: Brings pace, discipline and accountability to complex work, while remaining pragmatic about what is required to move from recommendation to delivery.

• Collaboration and influencing: Builds credibility quickly, listens well and creates alignment across senior leaders, peers, teams and external partners. Challenges constructively where needed.

• Commercial judgement: Understands the drivers of consumer demand, growth and value creation, and applies sound financial and operational judgement to strategic decisions.

• Team leadership and capability building: Sets clear expectations, develops strong talent and creates an inclusive, high‑performance environment. Balances empowerment with a hands‑on approach.

• Communication: Distils complexity into compelling, concise narratives and adapts communication effectively for executive and cross‑functional audiences.

Qualifications

Business & Functional Experience - Must Have / Nice to Have

Must Have

• Strong strategy consulting and/or corporate strategy experience.

• A track record of developing and supporting the implementation of consumer‑centric commercial strategies.

• Experience leading complex, cross‑functional projects and turning analysis into clear, actionable recommendations.

• Experience operating in matrixed environments and influencing senior stakeholders without direct authority.

• Strong analytical, financial and commercial capability. Experience in a consumer‑oriented business or advising consumer‑facing organisations.

• People leadership and team‑development experience appropriate to a Senior Director role.

Nice to Have

• Experience identifying and developing strategic partnerships or alliances.

• Food and beverage, retail, hospitality or another high‑frequency consumer sector.

• Experience working across international markets or on global projects.

• Experience supporting enterprise or market‑wide planning and prioritisation processes

At McDonald's, we are People from all Walks of Life...

Company Vision and Culture

Our Global vision is to build a better McDonalds and in the UK and Ireland we are working hard to be the UK & Irelands best‑loved restaurant company.

McDonalds is defined by its culture. Our culture shapes and informs everything we think and everything we do. Our culture influences the way we interact with each other, and how we interact with customers, franchisees and suppliers. Our culture motivates and inspires us to attract and retain great talent, creating positive, energising, exceptional working environment for us all.

Our values drive our culture and shape our beliefs, our priorities and our actions. They influence the decisions we make, how we treat one another and how we show up as a brand to the world.

Serve: We put our customers and our people first

Inclusion: We open our doors to everyone

Integrity: We do the right thing

Community: We are good neighbours

Family: We get better together

At McDonalds we are People from all Walks of Life...

People are at the heart of everything we do, and they make the McDonalds experience. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture that means people can be their best authentic self 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 McDonalds or elsewhere.