Employment Legal Counsel in London, United Kingdom

Company Description:

Who are McDonald’s? 

McDonald’s is the largest family restaurant in the world, serving approximately sixty-nine million customers across more than 36,000 restaurants a day, in more than one hundred countries. The UK & Ireland market is one of the most successful entities across the wider business, serving on average four million people a day. It has operated in the UK since 1974, and the business is growing continuously with more than 1,400 restaurants and over 136,000 employees.

McDonald’s UK & Ireland has a consistent record of investing in the development of its employees and offering flexibility as part of its commitment to being a modern and progressive company. Every year it invests over £40 million in developing people, giving every one of its employees the opportunity to take part in structured training.

We are a people business just as much as we are a restaurant business. We strive to be the most inclusive brand on the planet by building diverse teams who create delicious, feel-good moments that are easy for everyone to enjoy. Joining McDonald’s means thinking big every day and preparing for a career that can have an impact around the world.

We are dedicated to using our scale for good: good for people, our industry, and the planet. From bold recycling initiatives and sustainable sourcing efforts to our partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities, we see every day as a chance to have a genuine impact on our customers, our people, and our partners.

Company Vision and Culture

Our Global vision is to build a better McDonald’s, and in the UK and Ireland we are working hard to be the UK & Ireland’s best-loved restaurant company.

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

Job Description:

The Opportunity 

We are seeking a bright, enthusiastic and experienced Employment lawyer to join our high performing, dynamic and friendly Legal Team in the UK&I.  The role would involve handling a variety of employment and workplace matters with minimal supervision and supporting a range of departments across our business.

What will my responsibilities be?

• Advising on a broad range of employment law matters across the UK&I market.

• In particular, supporting the Legal team with any employment law related matters including responding to any regulatory enquiries, and advising on contracts, employee DSARs and TUPE matters.

• Supporting the Investigations Handling Unit with any employment law related queries.

• Managing certain employee claims that may arise.

• Delivering strategic employment law advice to relevant departments within the business.

• Proactively identifying legal trends and regulatory/legislative changes and communicating with/training the business on the impact of any such changes and how the business can achieve compliance. 

• Advising on certain workplace policies and helping to ensure compliance in respect of these.

What Team will I be part of and who are my customers?

This position will be a part of the UK&I Legal Team and you will primarily support our Legal team and the Investigations Handling Unit but will also work with other teams across the UK&I market when they require specific employment law support. 

Qualifications:

What background/skills do I need to have?

• Qualified solicitor in England/Wales with 5-7 years PQE.

• Strong experience in employment law, with experience handling the full suite of employment law related matters.

• Experience in mediation and conciliations.

• Able to work collaboratively in a team environment.

• Strong communication skills, stakeholder management and relationship building skills, with an ability to effectively articulate complex legal language to non-legal stakeholders.

• A results driven individual with the ability to meet goals, targets and deliver business plan objectives.

• Proactive in own self-development.

• Curious and resilient; not afraid to ask questions.

• Self-motivated and proactive, taking the initiative to pre-empt problems.

• Organised, methodical and able to effectively manage and prioritise multiple complex matters at once.

• Ability to work with versatility and adaptability in a fast paced and high performing environment.

• Able to engage and influence large audiences (both internal and external).

• Comfortable in working autonomously.

• Demonstrated ability to appropriately identify, assess and balance legal risk against commercial business needs.

Additional Information:

At McDonald’s we are People from all Walks of Life… 

“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 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 McDonald’s or elsewhere.”

Requsition ID: REF8204M_744000028337677