Senior Director (Managing Counsel) - Corporate, Securities and Governance & Assistant Secretary

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 - check them out here!

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our crew members, staff, operators, and suppliers. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone. 

McDonald’s Global Legal Department offers a powerful combination of business perspective and legal solutions. The Department partners with the business to solve the most challenging problems, while keeping its focus on the broader picture - the long-term best interests of McDonald’s business. It is a global team that champions brand trust and inclusion and innovates solutions to help the business grow and deliver the best experience for its customers.

The Senior Director - Corporate, Securities and Governance ("CSG") & Assistant Secretary will champion McDonald’s strategic priorities and values. The successful candidate will have a department-wide leadership role in driving productivity and fostering a culture of empowerment, ensuring accountability, and focusing on providing and demanding the highest level of client service. The right candidate will motivate and engage team members, remain open to differing viewpoints, and recognize and encourage team members.

Reporting to the Vice President, Associate General Counsel (CSG), the Senior Director (CSG) will be accountable for providing significant securities and corporate governance counsel to senior leadership and members of McDonald’s Board of Directors and certain of its committees. This individual will be responsible for managing various members of the Corporate, Securities and Governance Team, which supports the relevant work for McDonald’s enterprise-wide.

Responsibilities

In partnership with the Vice President, Associate General Counsel (CSG), the Senior Director (CSG) & Assistant Secretary will assist in leading critical securities and corporate governance matters for the company.

In this role, you will:

Securities

• Provide guidance, advice, and legal expertise on a vast range of issues related to McDonald’s public company disclosures, including compliance with SEC securities laws and regulations, as well as NYSE listed company requirements.
• Actively assist leadership of quarterly earnings and related 10-K/Q processes and work with cross-functional teams regarding the same.
• Provide advice and counsel regarding the preparation and filing of certain Form 8-Ks and other required SEC filings.
• Oversee the preparation and filing of other securities-related and governance filings, including periodic reports in Japan and Luxembourg, and certain U.S. state filings.
• Maintain oversight of McDonald’s disclosure controls and procedures.
• Assist with disclosure and governance matters related to environmental, social, and governance ("ESG") topics.
• Advise on capital market activities, including credit facilities, outstanding notes and notes offerings, and a variety of other finance and treasury matters.
• Provide business counsel on matters related to Delaware corporate law
• Oversee inter-company restructuring transactions.
• Keep abreast of proposed and existing corporate and securities legislation and regulations, as well as NYSE listing requirements.
• Co-Lead all aspects of Proxy Statement organization and production, together with the Sr. Director (CSG) in charge of executive and director compensation, and lead efforts for Annual Shareholders’ Meeting.
• Actively co-manage cross-functional task force to address shareholder proposals and other partner inquiries
• Partner with accounting, investor relations, treasury, human resources, communications, and other company leadership, and provide insightful, innovative thinking and problem-solving on critical legal and business issues.

Governance

• Assist with reviewing, revising, and interpreting corporate organizational documents, Board Charters, Board Policies, and other corporate policies.
• Assist in supporting the overall relationship by and among the Board of Directors, senior management, and outside partners.
• Assist in the preparation of Board of Directors and Committee meetings and related materials.
• Liaise with Directors to help ensure fulfillment of their oversight responsibilities.
• Actively manage the Company’s robust shareholder engagement program with top institutional investors and other partners.
• Provide business counsel to leaders across the organization on a wide range of legal issues that may impact the Company’s Board of Directors or its relationship with shareholders.
• Keep abreast of the broader corporate governance landscape, in particular the evolving expectations of significant investors and proxy advisory firms (including updated voting policies), and how developments may impact the Company.

CSG Leadership

• Lead and mentor the securities and corporate governance section of the broader CSG Team through deliberate and thoughtful talent management and development.
• Evaluate and assist in management of outside legal and business resources and expert advisors, as needed.

• JD required
• Admission to, and good standing in, a State Bar of any jurisdiction in the United States.
• 10+ years as a practicing lawyer gained in a combination of law firm and in-house settings.
• Significant experience leading sophisticated securities and governance matters, preferably for a recognizable brand, and engaging with senior leadership and Board of Directors.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with securities regulations and governance, as well as NYSE listing requirements.
• Consistently demonstrate ethical behaviors and decision-making and set clear expectations of unassailable integrity for others.
• Skills for, and preferably experience in, leading a team.
• Effective relationship building and communication with diverse client teams and business clients at all levels (including Executive leadership and Board of Directors).
• Ability to contribute to, influence, and frequently lead cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to think critically and make clear and well-reasoned decisions; ability to see and handle more than the legal issues of a project; strong, pragmatic business insight with the ability to recognize the business consequences of legal advice; a strategic and innovative thinker
• Commitment to promoting and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Proven ability to identify risks and to comfortably make risk recommendations and decisions, raising where appropriate.

McDonald’s is committed to providing qualified individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their jobs. Additionally, if you (or another applicant of whom you are aware) require assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise seek assistance in the application process, please contact recruiting.supportteam@us.mcd.com 

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.