Director, Media
Date: Aug 26, 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
With a vision to deliver great media that inspires, amplifies and accelerates our ability to make more of the moments that matter to our fans. The McDonald's Global Media Team exists to inspire and enable a world-class media capability that strengthens customer connections to drive measurable growth.
We are seeking an experienced Director, Global Media to guide and elevate our data-driven paid media strategy across all markets. This role is critical in shaping how McDonald’s connects with audiences around the world. You will play a pivotal role in developing holistic media planning and buying best practices, ensuring brand safety, and fostering responsible advertising in partnership with our global teams.
This role reports to the Sr Director, Integrated Channels. Key partners are the global teams including CRM, Brand, Loyalty, Martech/Adtech, Global Insights & Analytics team (GI&A), marketing segment leads; CMO and media/digital leads across global markets.
Join us at McDonald’s and shape the future of global media for one of the world’s leading brands.
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and implementation of McDonald’s global paid media strategy, driving innovation and ensuring alignment with business objectives across diverse markets.
- Provide global guidance and best practices on paid media strategies and tactics (incl. data usage, segmentations, programmatic buying, etc.) across markets
- Champion the importance of media within One McDonald’s Way of Marketing
- Facilitate cross-market forums and knowledge sharing
- Partner with global media agencies (OMD & Starcom) to embed global best practices
- Lead development of media approach for Global campaigns
- Collaborate with market leaders to codify media planning and buying excellence, adapting strategies to meet local needs while maintaining global consistency.
- Champion brand safety and responsibility in all paid advertising efforts, upholding McDonald’s values and reputation.
- Collaborate with Global Business Insights team to support ROMS analyses and collaborate on cross-market meta learnings; facilitate knowledge sharing globally
- Partner closely with the Director, CRM to develop holistic across channels strategies and best practices
- Support GCE team culture and talent development as part of the GCE Dir+ team
Qualifications
- Proven leadership experience in global media strategy, planning, and buying within a complex, fast-paced environment.
- Deep understanding of digital and traditional media channels, data analytics, and emerging industry trends.
- Ability to build strategic relationships with agencies, and internal stakeholders across multiple geographies.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in media / marketing roles. Deep media experience is essential.
- 5+ years of managerial experience directly managing people and/or leadership experience leading teams, projects, programs or directing the allocation of resources
- Based in Chicago office with ability to travel internationally regularly
- Demonstrated ability to drive business growth and measurable outcomes
- Passionate about QSR and the McDonald’s brand
- Strong track record of working in an innovative, customer-led landscape
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while managing competing priorities
- Strong customer focus, instinct, and passion
- Experience with retail media networks is a plus
- Bachelor’s degree required
Compensation
Bonus Eligible: YES
Long - Term Incentive: YES
Benefits Eligible: YES
Salary Range
The expected salary range for this role is $149,260.00 - $190,310.00 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 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