Manager, Recognition

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Date: 9 Sept 2026

Location: London, GB, N2 8AW

Company: McDonald's Corporation

Company Description
McDonald’s is proud to be one of the most recognized brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries that serve 70 million customers daily. As the global leader in the food service industry, our legacy of innovation and hard work continues to drive us.
From drive thru updates to delivery to mobile order and pay, we are innovating quickly and growing. Joining McDonald's means thinking big and preparing for a career that can have influence around the world.
 

Department Overview

McDonald's is evolving its global recognition strategy to support the NEXT strategy by creating a more aligned, consistent, and impactful approach to recognition across the System.

As Manager, Recognition, you will play a critical role in project managing and operationalizing key global recognition initiatives that reinforce the behaviors, performance, and experiences that bring NEXT to life. You will lead the end-to-end delivery of the NEXT Restaurant Team Award as the flagship global recognition program while also supporting the ongoing management and evolution of enterprise-wide recognition initiatives, including SHINE and other global award programs.

Working across Global People, Operations, Impact, Communications, and market stakeholders, you will help ensure recognition programs are strategically aligned, effectively governed, and consistently executed across the System. This includes driving adoption of global recognition programs, identifying opportunities to simplify the recognition landscape, and supporting the transition away from local recognition initiatives where appropriate to create a more cohesive global approach.

This role combines program management, stakeholder engagement, governance, communications, change management, and recognition strategy. Success in this role requires the ability to manage multiple recognition initiatives simultaneously while balancing strategic priorities with operational excellence.

What team will I be part of?

You will sit within the Global Total Rewards team and report to the Sr. Manager, Recognition & Wellbeing. You will work closely with key internal stakeholders and external vendors to build and sustain a world-class recognition experience at McDonald’s.

Duties

  • Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of global recognition initiatives that support the NEXT strategy, ensuring programs are delivered consistently and effectively across the System.
  • Manage the end-to-end delivery of the NEXT Restaurant Team Award as a flagship global recognition program, overseeing all program milestones, timelines, dependencies, budgets, governance activities, and stakeholder communications.
  • Support the execution and operational management of enterprise recognition initiatives, including SHINE and other existing global award programs.
  • Partner with Global People, Operations, Impact, Communications, market stakeholders, and external partners to drive alignment, readiness, and successful program delivery.
  • Develop and maintain integrated project plans, implementation roadmaps, governance processes, and delivery schedules across multiple recognition initiatives.
  • Monitor risks, dependencies, and issues, escalating and resolving challenges to ensure successful program outcomes.
  • Support market adoption of global recognition programs through implementation resources, communications, training, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Contribute to efforts to align and streamline recognition programs across the System, supporting greater adoption of global recognition solutions.
  • Provide regular status reporting, updates, insights, and recommendations to leadership and governance groups.

Qualifications

Required

  • 5+ years of experience in program management, employee recognition, employee experience, communications, or related disciplines.
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex global initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to manage timelines, budgets, risks, and dependencies.
  • Exceptional stakeholder management skills with experience influencing across functions and geographies.
  • Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
  • Experience managing vendors, agencies, or external partners.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft 365 including Teams, Excel, SharePoint, and PowerPoint.

Preferred

  • Experience in employee recognition, engagement, culture, rewards, or communications programs.
  • Experience supporting global or franchise-based organizations.
  • Familiarity with McDonald's restaurant operations and market structure.
  • Experience launching new programs or initiatives at scale.
  • Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile, or equivalent).
  • Experience managing recognition technology platforms, nomination systems, or employee engagement tools.

Additional information
At McDonalds we are People from all Walks of Life...


People are at the heart of everything we do, and they make the McDonalds 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 McDonalds or elsewhere.