Director, Program Management

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. 

Job Description

Job Summary

The Strategy & Planning team is focused on strategy formulation and prioritization, strategic and operational planning, program management, and vendor management efforts while building next-gen Total Cost of Ownership capabilities.

The Director, Program Management Office (PMO) role reports to the Sr. Director, Global Technology, PMO. This role is responsible for driving excellence across the Global organization and leading strategic programs for technology. The Director coordinates the portfolio and will be a dedicated lead to specific program(s) to provide direction and leadership ensuring successful delivery and value realization.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

Primary Duties:

Lead the business and technical community on Program management processes to deliver business outcomes:

• Strong ability to solve complex problems and translate to action that has a broad impact on the function.
• Facilitates and participates in program discussions including internal directors & above and external managing directors / partner executives.
• Ensures efforts are aligned to organizational strategic objectives.
• Holds program resource planning accountability across multiple organizations and levels of leadership for complex multi-phased programs.
• Develop company-wide project management policies, standards, and procedures for delivering new capabilities and transformation initiatives.
• Drives risk assessment and vital trade-off conversations to maintain acceptable risk program risk profile.
• Implement an inclusive organizational operating model that integrates multiple vendors and partners to deliver complex capabilities.
• Advises leadership and/or business executives at the highest levels about the project portfolio, status and resource planning for delivering strategic business initiatives.
• Accountable for leading special projects and company initiatives.
• Allocates and aligns appropriate resources to ensure that projects, enhancements and support is/are completed within committed time, scope and budget.

Influences and advocates for the work between key stakeholders, partnerships, global functional teams and markets:

• Strong ability to advocate a creative atmosphere, facilitate entrepreneurial meetings, and envision a final product and overall market acceptance early in the design and / or development process.
• Establish and nurture positive relationships with customer organizations, communities of practice and sourcing agencies. Support all areas of the business with finding and assessing talent.

Provide leadership, direction, and coaching. Demonstrates servant leadership:

• Demonstrates the ability to adapt and lead change and mentor others in the acceptance and support of change and the ability to formulate questions and ideas.
• Has ability to see and account for the “big picture” as well as the details.
• Possesses the ability to problem-solve by bringing to bear critical thinking, analytical data, and adaptability.
• Present findings and recommendations to leadership in a clear and compelling manner both visually and verbally.
• Presents information on projects, initiatives