Sr Director, Tech Strategy & Planning

Date: Oct 21, 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. As the global leader in the food service industry, our legacy of innovation and hard work continues to drive us.
From drive thru updates to delivery to mobile order and pay, we are innovating quickly and growing. Joining McDonald's means thinking big and preparing for a career that can have influence around the world.
 

Department Overview

The Senior Director, Global Technology Strategy & Performance will report to the VP, Global Technology Strategy & Planning and serve as a strategic partner to the Global CIO and Global Technology leadership team. This role is responsible for shaping long-term technology strategy, aligning with enterprise planning, driving performance management (KPIs, OKRs, metrics), and leading executive-level communications and business reviews. The role requires a strong presence, analytical rigor, and the ability to translate complex strategies into compelling narratives for senior stakeholders.

Duties

  • Lead the development and execution of long-range strategic plans in partnership with the Global CIO and Strategy & Planning teams.
  • Drive the performance management agenda across Global Technology, including the definition, tracking, and reporting of KPIs, OKRs, and other success metrics.
  • Serve as the architect and facilitator of Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), ensuring alignment, accountability, and visibility across the organization.
  • Build and deliver high-impact executive presentations and strategic narratives for senior leadership forums, board updates, and global CIO communications.
  • Partner with Finance, HR, and Strategy teams to ensure strategic initiatives are resourced, sequenced, and measured effectively.
  • Lead a team of strategy and performance professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Establish and maintain strategic operating rhythms, including annual planning, mid-year reviews, and strategic offsites.
  • Monitor industry trends, competitive benchmarks, and emerging technologies to inform strategic direction and innovation opportunities.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing insights and recommendations that shape enterprise-wide technology decisions.
  • Ensure alignment between strategic priorities and operational execution through close collaboration with Operations Excellence, Product, and Engineering teams.
  • Lead a high performing team of directors and managers – provide strategic vision for the department while also balancing near-term deliverables
  • Ensure professional development, performance management, and succession planning activities to build and retain a high-performing team
  • Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team culture that aligns with the organization's values and mission

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree in Business, Technology, or related field preferred.
  • 15+ years of experience in technology strategy, performance management, or enterprise planning roles.
  • Proven track record of leading strategic planning and performance management in a global, matrixed organization.
  • Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with experience preparing materials for C-level audiences.
  • Strong analytical and financial acumen, with the ability to synthesize data into actionable insights.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing without authority.
  • Strong organizational skills to manage deadlines, communicate strategy, and ensure readiness for strategic objectives
  • Structured and methodical, yet adaptable to changing needs and innovation
  • Experience working across diverse teams and enabling change
  • Deep understanding of technology trends, digital transformation, and innovation frameworks.
  • Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving clarity in complex environments.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word), Smartsheet, and performance dashboards.
  • Comfortable working across global, hybrid, and virtual teams

 

Nice to Haves

  • Experience in the QSR industry
  • Familiarity with the McDonald’s business model and global market dynamics.
  • Experience working with external consultants and managing strategic partnerships.

Compensation

Bonus Eligible: Yes

Long - Term Incentive: Yes

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Salary Range

$193k-$251k

Competencies

Execution Proficiency
Background & Values
Strategic Proficiency
Building Blocks
Talent Proficiency

Additional information
At McDonalds we are People from all Walks of Life...


People are at the heart of everything we do, and they make the McDonalds experience. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture that means people can be their best authentic self in our restaurants and offices, which helps us to better serve our customers. We have a strong heritage of diversity and representation within our communities, which we are proud of. The diversity of our people, customers, Franchisees, and suppliers gives us strength.

We do not tolerate inequality, injustice, or discrimination of any kind. These are hugely important issues and a brand with our reach and relevance means we have a very meaningful role to play.

We also recognise our responsibility as a large employer to continue being active in our communities, helping to develop skills and drive aspirations that will help people to be more aware of the world of work and more successful within it, whether with McDonalds or elsewhere.


Nearest Major Market: Chicago