Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic marketing plans for McDonald's in the UK & Ireland.
- Company: Join one of the UK's most iconic brands with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, free parking, lunch, gym access, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Access to industry-leading training and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on marketing strategies that shape customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in media strategies and managing marketing budgets.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 ÂŁ per year.
About the Role
You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping how McDonald’s shows up for customers across the UK & Ireland. Sitting within the senior Marketing leadership team and reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, you’ll lead the strategic development of our category plans, marketing calendar and media investment ensuring we focus on what matters most to our customers and our business. This role balances long‑term strategic thinking with operational rigour. You’ll bring clarity, prioritisation and pace to complex marketing plans, ensuring they are insight‑led, commercially focused and deliver meaningful impact year after year.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading the development of annual food category plans, partnering closely with insights and strategy teams to shape Family and Value strategies.
- Synthesising category plans into a single, integrated marketing calendar, ensuring clear prioritisation across campaigns, channels and dayparts.
- Owning the overall marketing plan, tracking performance against key metrics and adapting plans as market conditions evolve.
- Setting media strategy and guiding investment to maximise effectiveness and return on marketing spend.
- Leading agency partnerships, particularly media agencies, to ensure high performance and strong accountability.
- Collaborating cross‑functionally across Marketing, CX, Menu, CBI and Operations to ensure plans are operationally sound and customer‑first.
- Influencing and engaging Franchisees, Co‑op partners and senior internal stakeholders to build confidence and alignment behind marketing priorities.
- Leading and developing a high‑performing team of senior Marketing Managers, setting clear ways of working and a strong team culture.
Qualifications
What will make you successful
- Proven experience leading large‑scale media strategies and managing significant marketing budgets.
- Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to drive value and make evidence‑based investment decisions.
- Experience using econometric models to optimise media performance and inform strategy.
- Confidence influencing senior stakeholders, including C‑suite leaders and Co‑op Directors.
- Experience leading and challenging agency partners, particularly media agencies.
- A track record of delivering at pace, with clear accountability to deadlines.
- Inclusive leadership skills, with the ability to build trust, develop talent and bring people along.
What you’ll get
- A senior leadership role with real influence over one of the UK & Ireland’s most iconic brands.
- Competitive salary, plus bonus and cash allowance.
- A comprehensive benefits package including free parking, lunch and gym access.
- Hybrid working, offering flexibility between home and office.
- Access to industry‑leading training and development, supported by significant annual investment in learning.
- A collaborative, inclusive culture where your voice matters and your impact is visible.
Sr Manager, Marketing employer: McDonald's
Contact Detail:
McDonald's Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sr Manager, Marketing
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its marketing strategies. Understand their recent campaigns and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you're genuinely interested and can hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements and how they relate to the role. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage budgets effectively, just like they’re looking for in a Sr Manager, Marketing.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about joining the team at McDonald's.
We think you need these skills to ace Sr Manager, Marketing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the role. Highlight your experience in leading media strategies and managing marketing budgets, as these are key for us at McDonald's.
Showcase Your Impact: When detailing your past roles, focus on the results you've achieved. Use metrics to demonstrate how your strategic decisions have driven value and influenced stakeholders.
Be Insight-Led: Emphasise your ability to use insights and data to inform your marketing strategies. We want to see how you’ve used evidence-based decisions to optimise performance in previous roles.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we appreciate professionalism, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Show us your passion for marketing and how you can contribute to our inclusive culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at McDonald's
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Manager in Marketing, you'll need to demonstrate your strong commercial acumen. Brush up on key metrics related to media performance and marketing budgets. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
This role requires balancing long-term strategy with operational rigour. Prepare examples of how you've developed and executed category plans in the past. Highlight your ability to synthesise complex information into actionable marketing calendars.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
You'll be influencing senior stakeholders, so practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Think about how you can build trust and alignment with Franchisees and Co-op partners. Have a few anecdotes ready that showcase your collaborative approach.
✨Lead with Inclusivity
Inclusive leadership is key for this position. Be prepared to discuss how you've developed talent and fostered a strong team culture in previous roles. Share specific examples of how you've led diverse teams and encouraged collaboration.