Director, Legal Counsel

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Job Description

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. We continue to operate from a position of strength. Our updated growth strategy is focused on staying ahead of what our customers want and realizing further growth potential. Our relentless ambition is why McDonald’s remains one of the world’s leading corporations after almost 70 years. Joining McDonald's means thinking big and preparing for a career that can have influence around the world.

At McDonald’s, we see every day as a chance to create positive impact. We lead through our values centered on inclusivity, service, integrity, community and family. From support of Ronald McDonald House Charities to our Youth Opportunity project and sustainability initiatives, our values keep us dedicated to using our scale for good: good for our customers, people, industry and planet. We also offer a broad range of outstanding benefits including a sabbatical program, tuition assistance and flexible work arrangements.

Department Overview

The Corporate Legal team partners closely with global market legal groups, cross-functional leadership, and McDonald's Technology and Operations teams to provide strategic legal support, drive global consistency, and lead risk management efforts.

Duties

• Lead the integration of global legal guidance into market and franchise execution strategies.
• Develop and implement legal frameworks ensuring consistency across markets.
• Drive strategic conversations on risk, compliance, governance, and global legal standards.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks associated with business initiatives.
• Support and lead governance processes, including documentation of emerging risks.
• Partner with global and regional legal teams to align risk and compliance practices.
• Lead drafting, review, and negotiation of high-impact commercial and operational agreements.
• Provide timely, practical, and strategic legal counsel to business leaders.
• Influence senior stakeholders and assist in high‑stakes decision-making.
• Build strong partnerships with TPG, global attorneys, market counsel, and internal senior leaders.
• Advise partners on applying legal guidance to complex or evolving business environments.
• Support change management by offering clear, business-aligned legal solutions.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior business and legal leadership.
• Communicate complex legal concepts to non‑legal partners with clarity and influence.
• Contribute to strategic operational and business planning discussions.

Qualifications

• JD and Bar passage
• 6–10 years of legal experience.
• Proven experience handling complex legal matters, commercial negotiations, or governance issues.
• Strong cross‑functional leadership and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and lead strategic initiatives.
• Exceptional communication, writing, and analytical skills.
• Experience supporting global or multi‑market organizations.
• Experience in franchising, corporate operations, technology, or regulatory environments.
• Prior in‑house experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to improve legal processes, innovate, and drive consistency across markets.

Compensation

Bonus Eligible: Yes

Benefits Eligible: Yes

LTI Eligible: Yes

Salary Range

The expected salary range for this role is $195,371.00 - $244,214.00 per year

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors.

Additional Information

Benefits eligible: This position offers health and welfare benefits, a 401(k) plan, adoption assistance program, educational assistance program, flexible ways of working, and time off policies (including sick leave, parental leave, and vacation/PTO). Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment. 

Bonus eligible: This position is eligible for a bonus, calculated based on individual and company performance.

Long term Incentive eligible: This position is eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to McDonald’s long-term incentive plan.

McDonald’s is an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our workforce. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone. McDonald’s provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact [email protected]. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

McDonald’s provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, disability status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, protected military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Nothing in this job posting or description should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.

Requsition ID: 2963

If you have questions about this posting, please contact [email protected]