Head of Workplace Investigations

McDonald’s 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. McDonald’s is one of the UK’s largest private sector employers, employing over 170,000 people.

Hybrid Working

This role is based in our East Finchley office working 3 days in the office and 2 days remotely.

Job Description

McDonald’s UK&I is seeking an experienced investigator and people leader to head our Investigations Handling Unit (IHU). In this key role, you’ll provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of our workplace investigations function. This will include leading workplace investigations, ensuring timely, fair and consistent handling of complex and sensitive allegations in compliance with legal requirements, internal policies and ethical standards. The successful candidate will be a trusted advisor to senior leadership, helping to foster a culture of accountability, transparency and respect while driving improvements in how we manage and resolve workplace misconduct cases.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead and manage the Investigations Handling Unit, overseeing case intake, triage, assignment, management and resolution processes for sensitive workplace misconduct investigations.
• Develop and implement robust investigation frameworks, policies and procedures that align with legal and regulatory standards and industry best practices.
• Oversee complex and high-risk workplace investigations including, but not limited to, harassment, discrimination, fraud, misconduct, conflicts of interest and ethical breaches.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect whistleblower and complainant identities in all phases of the investigation process.
• Act as a role model and mentor, providing expert advice and coaching to the IHU team, as well as to HR, legal, and compliance teams on investigations-related matters.
• Ensure investigation team members are trained and supported and that the IHU operates to high standards of quality and consistency.
• Share actionable insights to improve processes, build business-driven solutions, and mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and external investigation partners to identify and implement tools and technologies to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency when conducting investigations, to ensure a coordinated approach to case handling and outcomes.
• Track investigation metrics and provide regular reporting to senior leadership.
• Identify, assess, and advise on risks associated with workplace investigations that could have significant potential impact on the brand.
• Shape and advocate McDonald’s positions to internal and external audiences regarding a variety of business matters.
• Manage the departmental budget and help identify efficiencies within the team and across the business.
• Promote a speak-up culture by ensuring effective communication of reporting channels and no-retaliation policies.
• Promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the department and encourage the sharing of diverse opinions and concerns.

Qualifications

What we are looking for:

• Degree in Law, Human Resources, Compliance, or a related field.
• Extensive workplaces conduct investigations experience: 4-6+ years.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing teams and driving strategic change.
• Expert in handling sensitive misconduct cases with confidentiality and impartiality, with a commitment to integrity.
• Deep understanding of employment law, regulatory frameworks and best practices related to investigations.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders across legal, HR and operations.
• Proven ability to navigate complexity, drive change and improve processes.
• Excellent judgment, integrity and ethical standards.
• High emotional intelligence and cultural awareness.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and upholding organisational values.

Additional Information

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 & Irelands best-loved restaurant company. McDonald’s 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.

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.