Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives and shape organisational culture at McDonald's UK & Ireland.
- Company: Join McDonald's, a global brand committed to diversity and community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, free parking, lunch, gym access, and hybrid working.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative role that values your ideas and fosters a people-first culture.
- Qualifications: Proven senior HR leadership experience and expertise in cultural transformation required.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and make a meaningful impact in a collaborative environment.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
Social network you want to login/join with:
HR Lead, UK & Ireland (12-month FTC), London
Client:
Location: London, United Kingdom
Job Category: Other
–
EU work permit required: Yes
Job Reference:
8a7ab5acc3d3
Job Views:
14
Posted:
15.07.2025
Expiry Date:
29.08.2025
Job Description:
What You’ll Be Doing:
We’re looking for a dynamic leader to step into a high-impact interim role at McDonald’s UK & Ireland, leading a strategic agenda focused on organisational culture and design. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on change and transformation—someone who’s ready to hit the ground running and shape the future of one of the most iconic global brands.
In this role, you’ll guide corporate reputation strategy while spearheading transformational projects that drive organisational performance and foster a people-first culture. You’ll partner closely with senior leaders, franchisees, and global teams to embed strategic HR initiatives and evolve how we support our people and communities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leading the corporate People Business Partnering and Reputation teams
- Driving strategic people initiatives that influence company culture and long-term talent outcomes
- Embedding our global Employee Value Proposition (EVP) across the UK & Ireland market
- Shaping organisational design to support business transformation and future-fit ways of working
- Leading our DEI strategy to reflect and celebrate the diverse communities we serve
- Collaborating with senior stakeholders and franchisee partners to ensure alignment and impact
- Acting as a change leader—guiding initiatives through transformation, innovation, and growth
- Enhancing internal capability through team leadership, coaching, and thought partnership
What You’ll Need:
- Proven experience in senior HR leadership roles within large or complex organisations
- Expertise in organisational design, cultural transformation, and strategic change delivery
- Strong commercial acumen and ability to align people priorities to business performance
- Inspiring leadership with a track record of building high-performing teams
- Demonstrable DEI leadership—strategy setting, implementation, and stakeholder engagement
- Confidence operating at executive level and leading through influence and collaboration
- Hands-on attitude and the ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery
What You’ll Get:
- Competitive salary + Bonus + Location and Car Allowance
- Free parking, lunch, and gym access at the office
- A collaborative culture where your ideas are valued
- Hybrid working with 3 days a week in the office and 2 days remote
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 & Ireland’s best-loved restaurant company.
McDonald’s is defined by its culture. Our culture shapes and informs everything we think and do. It influences how we interact with each other, with customers, franchisees, and suppliers. Our culture motivates and inspires us to attract and retain great talent, creating a positive, energising, and exceptional working environment for all.
Our values drive our culture and shape our beliefs, priorities, and actions. They influence our decisions, how we treat one another, and how we present ourselves 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 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 where everyone can be their authentic self. This helps us 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 as a brand with our reach and relevance, we have a meaningful role to play.
We also recognize our responsibility as a large employer to continue being active in our communities—helping to develop skills and drive aspirations that will help people be more aware of the world of work and more successful within it, whether with McDonald’s or elsewhere.
#LI-Hybrid
#J-18808-Ljbffr
HR Lead, UK & Ireland (12-month FTC) employer: McDonald's
Contact Detail:
McDonald's Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Lead, UK & Ireland (12-month FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with McDonald's corporate culture and values. Understanding their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community will help you align your approach and demonstrate how you can contribute to their people-first culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of McDonald's, especially those in HR roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company's expectations and the nuances of the role, which can help you tailor your discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your experience in organisational design and cultural transformation. Highlighting your past successes in these areas will showcase your ability to lead strategic initiatives effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your leadership style by preparing to share how you've built high-performing teams in the past. Be ready to discuss your approach to coaching and developing talent, as this aligns closely with the responsibilities of the HR Lead role.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Lead, UK & Ireland (12-month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in HR leadership roles, particularly in organisational design and cultural transformation. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive strategic people initiatives.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your values align with McDonald's culture and how you can contribute to their vision of being the best-loved restaurant company in the UK & Ireland.
Highlight DEI Experience: Given the emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the job description, be sure to include any relevant experience you have in leading DEI strategies. Provide concrete examples of how you've implemented these initiatives in previous roles.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Demonstrate your inspiring leadership style by sharing instances where you've built high-performing teams or led through change. Highlight your ability to collaborate with senior stakeholders and influence at an executive level.
How to prepare for a job interview at McDonald's
✨Understand the Company Culture
Before your interview, take some time to research McDonald's culture and values. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community. This will help you align your answers with their ethos and demonstrate that you're a good fit for the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As an HR Lead, you'll need to exhibit strong leadership skills. Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully led teams or initiatives. Highlight your experience in organisational design and cultural transformation, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Prepare for Strategic Questions
Expect questions about how you would drive strategic people initiatives and influence company culture. Be ready to discuss your approach to embedding the Employee Value Proposition and leading DEI strategies. Think about specific strategies you've implemented in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Change Management Skills
This role requires someone who can guide initiatives through transformation and innovation. Prepare to discuss your experience with change management, including any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. Show that you can balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
