Sr Director, Legal Counsel - Technology Practice Group

McDonald's Corporation•Chicago, IL

23d

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. 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 OverviewThis role will lead the Technology Practice Group, the 13-member (and growing) legal team that advises and supports our Global Technology function at McDonald’s. In addition to leading this legal team, the Senior Director, Technology Practice Group, will serve as an important partner to the Global Technology Leadership Team at the Company. This leader will provide strategic advice and perspective on ever-evolving legal and business issues in this area, effectively balancing risk with commercial objectives, acting with agility, and keeping pace with the business. The leader will also focus on strategic initiatives and work streams that impact our Global Legal and Compliance Department. We will also expect the Senior Director, Technology Practice Group, to collaborate across the Global Legal and Technology teams to successfully navigate risk, identify efficiencies and better ways of working and collaboration, create development and training opportunities, and drive innovation. The role will be based in Chicago (though relocation may not be necessary). 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.

Requirements

Minimum of 10-12 years as a practicing lawyer
Ability to manage strong, experienced legal team in face-to-face and virtual environments and across international time zones
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
Excellent judgment with the ability to work effectively and efficiently under time constraints in a demanding environment
Experience with complex technology development and deployment, ideally in a complex global organization
Ability to impact, influence and lead cross-functional teams
Ability to identify and assess risks and provide recommendations and decisions, escalating where appropriate, with experience counseling others through risk assessment in the technology space
Aptitude to handle broad array of technology issues, including but not limited to issues involving software licensing, open source software, professional services and vendor management, digital accessibility, aata and technology access, hardware deployments, technology export compliance, and digital and cashless payment systems
Ability to work with and support our business partners across international time zones
Strong commitment to McDonald’s Values and the Company’s and the Global Legal and Compliance Department’s strategic priorities

Responsibilities

Team Leadership: Leads the legal team that counsels our Global Technology function on technology issues and advises on specific technology transactions. Develops and carries out the team’s strategic plan and priorities in collaboration with team members. Promotes the professional growth and experience of the team members through training, development, coaching and recognition. Reinforces trust, respect, and accountability among the team members.
Strategic Business Partnership: Develops and manages relationships and acts as a strategic, trusted partner with Global Technology leadership. Maintains a high level of credibility with business partners, stakeholders, legal team members and other colleagues. Works closely and collaboratively with other functions to achieve business objectives.
Critical Legal Advice and Management: Advises and leads on all aspects of technology transactions from negotiation strategy to execution to implementation. Identifies, analyzes and advises on relevant legal issues with business partners, licensees, and colleagues in the Global Legal and Compliance Department. Provides sound legal and business advice and drives results on transactions, business counseling and related technology matters.
Pragmatic, Smart Approach to Risk: Identifies, assesses and manages legal risks that have significant potential impact on the brand and Company, and works with legal and business partners to develop and implement practical solutions to manage these risks.
Global Strategy and Collaboration: Proactively collaborates across our Legal and Global Technology teams to identify better ways of working across the globe, creating development opportunities, and driving efficiencies. Promotes the Technology Practice Group’s engagement across the Global Legal and Compliance Department.
Proactive Legal Advocate: Oversees and manages compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies that impact our technology initiatives and the Global Technology function. Identifies and advises on legal and business trends impacting Global Technology and the business more broadly.
Change Management: Identifies the need for continuing evolution and works to drive transformation efforts across the Global Legal and Compliance Department.
Legal Department Excellence and Leadership: Supports the Global Legal and Compliance Department’s plans and priorities. Effectively delegates and allocates work to empower team members and achieve timely execution of key strategies. Regularly engages in performance feedback discussions with team members in a timely manner, ensures growth opportunities are equally accessible to all team members and provides transparency on how to obtain those opportunities. Motivates and engages team members, remains open to differing viewpoints and recognizes and encourages team members to have the courage to be bold, speak up or challenge entrenched organizational attitudes and practices.
Team-Related Management Obligations: Manages team’s budget, including outside counsel spend, with fiscal discipline and diligence. Manages other core team processes and functions that impact the Global Legal and Compliance Department and the Company