Director, Individual Philanthropy

McDonald's Corporation • Chicago, IL

10d

About The Position

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 OverviewThe Director, Individual Philanthropy provides strategic leadership for RMH’s global individual giving program, driving major and principal gifts from new and existing donors. The role oversees a high‑performing individual giving team and manages moves management and portfolio strategy to advance fundraising priorities. The Director also personally manages a portfolio of principal donors and is expected to secure significant new and increased commitments from major gift donors. This leader collaborates closely with other revenue leads and partners across the organization to ensure alignment and integration of individual giving strategies with broader organizational goals.

Requirements

• Proven ability to lead and develop high‑performing fundraising teams.
• Strong knowledge of major, annual, and planned giving best practices.
• Demonstrated success securing significant major and principal gifts at the seven-figure level.
• Track record of new donor acquisition and portfolio growth.
• Excellent relationship‑building and communication skills.
• Strategic and analytical thinker able to use data to drive fundraising results.
• Experience managing moves management, donor segmentation, and portfolio optimization systems and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across functions and influence without authority to align individual giving with organizational priorities.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• 7+ years of fundraising experience, including significant experience managing major or principal gift programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy and execution for individual gift fundraising nationally (US).
• Manage relationships with principal and major individual donors and prospects, including highest capacity new donor/prospect relationships.
• Provide tools and guidance for individual giving at the national and chapter level.
• Consult and support international donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Oversee moves management, donor segmentation, and portfolio strategy to maximize revenue and donor engagement.
• Set fundraising goals, monitor team progress, and adjust strategies to meet annual and long-term targets.
• Set the strategy and oversee the development of an individual donor pipeline from direct and digital marketing.
• Ensure prospect research is maximized by the team to identify and cultivate prospective donors.
• Work collaboratively with RMH system leaders to collaboratively prospect, cultivate, solicit and steward donors.
• Manage a team of individual giving professionals, providing coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Ensure alignment of individual giving efforts with broader organizational priorities.
• Partner with program, communications, marketing, and events teams to ensure alignment between organizational priorities, revenue generation strategies and proposals and donor interests.
• Work closely with leadership to align individual giving strategy with organizational goals and initiatives.
• Advise senior leaders on donor engagement, solicitation strategies, and stewardship opportunities.
• Builds relationships with system leaders to advance fundraising and create collaboration between global, national and local giving.
• Supports donor engagement events, as needed.
• Monitor key performance indicators and provide regular reporting on individual giving outcomes.
• Analyze fundraising results to inform strategy and identify opportunities for growth.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, ethical standards, and donor confidentiality.

Benefits

• 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).
• This position is eligible for a bonus, calculated based on individual and company performance.
• This position is eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to McDonald’s long-term incentive plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level