Manager, Operations Innovation
Date: Mar 5, 2026
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
A career at McDonald’s is an opportunity to excel in an environment where you are valued and respected. We are committed to creating a workplace where employees are rewarded and recognized for their contributions and supported through meaningful growth opportunities.
Our Corporate Home Office has an exciting opportunity for an Ops Innovation Manager. The ideal candidate will live within driving distance of MHQ and Chicagoland restaurants.
This role provides leadership, coaching, and strategic direction to operations project teams. The candidate will demonstrate McDonald’s values and leadership behaviors while building strong relationships with U.S. business leaders, cross‑functional project teams, area supervisors, restaurant leadership teams, and crew members.
Duties
- Support the development of robust charters and roadmaps for strategic initiatives
- Maintain a portfolio‑level view of all strategic initiatives and facilitate leadership discussions on strategic portfolio planning
- Track initiative progress against defined timelines and milestones
- Provide ongoing thought partnership and support to project teams
- Manage regular reporting to leadership
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to lead restaurant implementations, including new store standards, procedures, and experience impacts
- Advocate for the employee and customer experience
- Partner in developing operational support and training materials for major business programs
- Work strategically with McOpCo, U.S. Technology, Operations Experience, Restaurant Experience, Customer Experience, and Employee Experience teams
- Advise on training tools, technology, and restaurant layouts that impact operations
- Build relationships and collaborate across U.S. and Global departments
- Partner with McDonald's suppliers and vendors on solution‑based approaches
Qualifications
- Resilience and adaptability to changing circumstances
- Experience in business growth consulting with data‑driven insights and innovative solutions
- Excellent stakeholder management skills
- Collaborative and customer‑focused approach
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
- Ability to consult on equipment placement and restaurant design
- Strong operations proficiency
- Advanced problem‑solving skills
- Deep understanding of equipment functionality and restaurant processes
- Ability to translate ideas into workable solutions
- Strategic thinker who connects work across the business
- Preferred experience with Speedee Labs testing, staffing, scheduling, and positioning
- Must reside in Chicagoland for visits to concept restaurants and in‑person MHQ discussions
Compensation
Bonus Eligible: Yes
Long - Term Incentive: Yes
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Salary Range
The expected salary range for this role is $115,872.00 - $144,840.00 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