Director, Program Management
Date: Jul 21, 2025
Location: Chicago, IL, US, 60607
Company: McDonald's Corporation
Company Description:
McDonald’s growth strategy, Accelerating the Arches, encompasses all aspects of our business as the leading global omni-channel restaurant brand. As the consumer landscape shifts we are using our competitive advantages to further strengthen our brand. One of our core growth strategies is to Double Down on the 3Ds (Delivery, Digital and Drive Thru). McDonald’s will accelerate technology innovation so 65M+ customers a day will experience a fast, easy experience, whether at one of our 25,000 and growing Drive thrus, through McDelivery, dine-in or takeaway.
McDonald’s Global Technology is here to power tomorrow’s feel-good moments.
That’s why you’ll find us at the forefront of transformative technology, exploring new and innovative ways to serve our millions of customers and spread happiness one delicious Hot Fudge Sundae-dipped fry at a time. Using AI, robotics and emerging tech, we’re digitizing the Golden Arches. Combine that with our unparalleled global scale, and we’re reshaping all areas of the business, industry and every community that is home to a McDonald’s restaurant. We face complex tech challenges every day. But that’s where our diverse and talented teams come in. They’re made up of the best and brightest from all over the globe, and they thrive in the space where feel-good meets fast-paced.
Check out the McDonald’s Global Technology Technical Blog to learn how technology and our global team are directly enabling the Accelerating the Arches strategy.
Department Overview
Reporting into the Cyber Business Office, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Program Management (PPM) to lead our Cybersecurity PMO at McDonald’s. This leader will lead the end-to-end management of the cybersecurity project portfolio, ensure alignment with strategic priorities, and drive delivery excellence across complex, fast-paced, and high-impact initiatives.
This is not just a project manager role — we’re looking for a strategic operator and relationship builder who knows how to lead through influence, build order from ambiguity, and scale program operations across a global, matrixed organization.
Duties
What You'll Do:
- Lead and evolve the Cybersecurity PMO (Project Portfolio Management) function, overseeing delivery of all security-related programs and projects across global markets.
- Build and maintain strong multi-functional relationships with stakeholders in Cybersecurity, Technology, Legal, Finance, Risk, and Business teams to drive alignment, prioritization, and execution.
- Manage the cybersecurity project portfolio, ensuring initiatives are properly scoped, staffed, budgeted, and tracked against critical metrics and risk reduction objectives.
- Provide executive-level reporting on portfolio performance, including progress toward strategic goals, resource allocation, and risk mitigation.
- Define and continuously improve PMO processes, tools, governance models, and reporting frameworks.
- Mentor and lead a team of project and program managers, creating a high-performance culture that values execution, transparency, and collaboration.
Who You Are:
- A well-rounded PMO leader with experience standing up or running a program/project management office in a complex environment.
- Adept at working across highly matrixed organizations and navigating stakeholder dynamics with confidence and tact.
- Preferred background in cybersecurity or technology — comprehending the urgency, complexity, and nuances of security initiatives is essential.
- Skilled at driving projects forward and influencing decision-making at the leadership level.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in project/program/portfolio management, including 3+ years leading a PMO or similar function.
- Experience leading large, multi-functional projects in a technology or cybersecurity organization.
- Documented ability to build positive relationships and influence and align diverse collaborators.
- Experience with portfolio governance, resource planning, and executive-level reporting.
- PMP certification preferred; other relevant certifications (PgMP, SAFe, ITIL, CISSP) a plus.
- Experience in multinational or highly regulated environments is a bonus.
Compensation
Bonus Eligible: Yes
Long - Term Incentive Eligible: Yes
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Salary Range
The expected salary range for this role is $168,350.00 - $218,860.00 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