Director, Employee Relations
Date: Nov 7, 2025
Location: Chicago, IL, US, 60607
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. 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 Director, Employee Relations (Global PBS / Safe, Respectful & Inclusive Workplace) owns the evolution of McDonald’s Global Safe, Respectful, Inclusive Workplace (SRIW) and People Brand Standards (PBS) program strategies, evaluating their effectiveness, and developing guidelines and tools for stakeholders.
In this role, you will work closely with the Director, Global Employee Relations Strategy as well as with all segments (with focus on supporting the IOM, IOM BU and IDLMs) to ensure alignment with broader program priorities. This role reports to the VP, Culture and Engagement.
Duties
1. Strategy and Evolution: Own the strategy and year-over-year evolution of McDonald’s People Brand Standards (PBS) program. This includes management, leadership alignment, stakeholder socialization of key standards and criteria, and leadership reporting via quarterly scorecards and annual/bi-annual meetings as needed
2. Team Oversight: Oversee internal and external teams to support the annual IDLM 3rd party-led PBS program. Ensure the program strategy aligns with global PBS evolution and that all key stakeholders (DL organizations, DL Leadership, IDL BU Teams) are aligned and supported through the restaurant and organization-level visit process
3. Risk Management: Own the evolution of McDonald’s SRIW Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) strategy. Partner actively and cross-functionally on key identified priority workstreams, and keep leadership (GPLT and SLT ERM Committee members) apprised of McDonald’s ongoing efforts to mitigate risk in this space
4. Operations PACE Program: Own the year-over-year evolution of the Operations PACE program (Putting People First Visit) strategy. Partner cross-functionally with key People Solutions teams on all related guidelines and materials for international markets. Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for international markets on all things Ops PACE related to People visit/standards
5. Collaboration: Partner with the Director, Global Employee Relations Strategy to support the progress of shared or related workstreams (e.g., Responsible Recruitment, Youth Protections)
6. Human Rights: Partner with the Human Rights team to support the progress of shared or related workstreams. Serve as the Global People representative on the Human Rights Working Group
7. Global Impact: Partner with the Global Impact team on various ongoing reporting and assessment projects as the SME for PBS/SRIW (e.g., Purpose & Impact Report, Global Double Materiality Assessment, Shareholder Proposals)
Qualifications
Educational Background: A degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field is required. An advanced degree is preferred.
• Professional Experience: Proven experience in Human Resources, Culture & Organization, or Safety & Inclusion. • Corporate Experience: Demonstrated ability to operate within large, multi-national corporations, particularly in highly matrixed and complex structures.
• Global Experience: Experience working across countries, cultures, and time zones.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Business Acumen: Ability to understand the needs of the business (franchisees) and the challenges faced by global leaders.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to leverage data to tell compelling stories.
Preferred Qualifications
• Basic knowledge in areas of organizational culture, safety & inclusion, organizational effectiveness, and HR processes.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse teams.
• Positive attitude and a willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic environment.
• Strong ability to influence others, with the capability to build and drive a compelling business case for people as a growth driver.
• Continuous improvement and growth mindset, always seeking opportunities for personal and professional development
Compensation
Bonus Eligible: Yes
Long - Term Incentive: Yes
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Salary Range
The expected salary range for this role is $157,655.00 - $197,069.00 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.
Competencies
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 mcdhrbenefits@us.mcd.com. 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.
Nearest Major Market: Chicago