Communications Director

As a Director within our McDonald’s practice, you are the strategic anchor for the Northwest Owner/Operator Cooperatives. While this role is based in the NW, you are part of a premier Los Angeles-based agency that supports McDonald’s markets across the entire United States.

You serve as the senior business counselor and brand protector for our franchisee clients, ensuring their local investments are maximized through modern, social-first communication strategies. This role offers unique visibility and participation in high-impact markets like Los Angeles, DC, Philly, and Chicago, as you will collaborate with our national leads to ensure the NW strategy is synchronized with the country’s most influential regions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Franchisee Client Counsel & Strategic Advocacy

• The "Lead" Counselor: Serve as the primary agency face to the NW Owner/Operator Boards. You own the relationship, lead the boardroom presentations, and win the trust of 20 independent, successful business owners.
• Multi-Market Collaboration: Partner with agency leads in LA, DC, Philly, and Chicago to share best practices and ensure the Northwest is participating in high-profile national initiatives.
• Multicultural & Community Liaison: Act as the bridge between local franchisees and community leaders, specifically focusing on multicultural entities and nonprofits to ensure the brand is authentically represented and respected in diverse NW communities.

2. Strategic Oversight: Social, Influencer & Talent

• Strategy Guardrails: Oversee the regional social media communications strategy. You partner with our internal social specialist departments to ensure their content is "of the moment," locally relevant, and strictly aligned with the NW Owners' business goals.
• High-Impact Partnership Management: Provide strategic direction for partnerships involving professional athletes and sports teams. You ensure these collaborations are leveraged effectively across social and earned channels to amplify the brand.
• Omni-Channel Amplification: Ensure that the national and local marketing calendars are amplified through modern channels, creating a seamless "omni-channel" experience for the customer.

3. Integration & Modern Communication

• Marketing & PR Intersection: Act as the expert voice on how earned media, social content, and traditional marketing intersect. You ensure that PR strategies are not siloed but are integrated into the core marketing funnel to drive restaurant traffic.

Corporate System Liaison (Secondary): While the franchisees are your primary clients, you provide the "field intelligence" and local recon necessary for McDonald’s Corporate to understand the NW landscape.

4. Team Leadership

• Mentorship: Direct and develop a regional Tactician who handles day-to-day coordination and reporting. You are responsible for their professional growth and the quality of the strategic insights they provide to the account.

Qualifications:

12-15 Years Integrated Experience: Background in PR, social strategy, or brand marketing within QSR, Franchise Models, or high-velocity Retail.

• Strategic Oversight Prowess: You are an expert at directing specialist teams (Social, Influencer, Creative) to ensure their output meets the client’s strategic needs without needing to handle the execution yourself.
• Boardroom Presence: A high-EQ counselor who can navigate a room of independent business owners, winning their trust through transparency and clear communication.
• Multicultural Competency: A proven track record of engaging with diverse communities and nonprofits in a way that is authentic and impactful.
• Modern Mindset: You understand the "speed of retail" and how to leverage modern communication channels to keep a legacy brand culturally relevant.