Senior Counsel - Global Compliance & Safety Practice Group

Job Overview

This role supports the ongoing implementation and advancement of McDonald's Global Compliance Program, with a particular focus on International Operated Markets (IOM) in Europe. The position serves as a trusted advisor on compliance and ethics matters, leads complex investigations, designs and conducts compliance risk assessments, provides guidance on anti-corruption and sanctions compliance, and partners with market and functional leads to strengthen compliance culture and risk management practices across multiple jurisdictions.

Duties

Compliance Investigations & Risk Assessment

• Lead and oversee complex compliance investigations involving alleged violations of the McDonald’s Standards of Business Conduct and other compliance-related concerns.
• Conduct compliance reviews and market risk assessments to identify, assess and manage compliance risks with potential legal, financial, operational or reputational impact to McDonald's.
• Develop and oversee mitigation strategies designed to address identified compliance risks and strengthen the overall control environment.
• Monitor emerging compliance risks, enforcement trends, and regulatory developments, and provide recommendations to strengthen compliance controls and program effectiveness.
• Manage outside counsel, consultants, and other third-party advisors, as appropriate.

Compliance Counseling & Legal Advice

• Provide legal counsel and practical guidance to market, segment and business functions on a broad range of compliance matters, particularly in the areas of anti-corruption, sanctions compliance, conflicts of interest, and third-party risk management.
• Advise on compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), UK Bribery Act, sanctions regulations, and other relevant legal requirements.
• Partner with Legal and business stakeholders to develop practical, risk-based solutions that support business objectives while maintaining compliance standards.

Compliance Engagement & Strategic Partnership

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with market, segment and global functions, and business stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions.
• Plan and conduct compliance market and stakeholder engagement, training sessions, and other compliance initiatives tailored to diverse stakeholder groups to promote and strengthen McDonald's culture of compliance and integrity.

Collaborate effectively with markets and global functions to develop, enhance, and communicate compliance policies, procedures, standards, directives, and guidance in One McDonald’s Way.

Qualifications

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Qualified attorney in good standing with a license to practice law in the UK or EU jurisdiction.
• 8+ years of relevant legal and compliance experience.
• Experience with complex compliance investigations, preferably in the anti-corruption space.
• General knowledge of and experience with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), UK Bribery Act, OFAC/sanctions regulations, and related compliance frameworks.
• International market experience and strong cross-cultural acumen required.
• Prior in-house legal experience preferred.
• Travel internationally as required.

DESIRED SKILLS

• Unquestionable integrity and sound judgment.
• Strong investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to operate independently in a fast-paced global environment across different time zones.
• Proficiency in multiple languages is highly desirable.