Sr Manager, 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:

The Senior Manager, Program Management, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the successful delivery of high-impact programs and projects by driving standardized program management practices and enabling cross-functional alignment! This position requires a proactive, outcome-focused professional who excels at guiding teams, coordinating sophisticated initiatives, and embedding standard processes to achieve operational excellence.

The ideal candidate is a skilled program manager with the ability to influence without formal authority, foster collaboration across diverse teams, and consistently deliver measurable results. This role is integral to ensuring the seamless execution of organizational priorities.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

Program Management Excellence

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of sophisticated programs with cross-functional dependencies, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Champion and implement standardized program management frameworks, tools, and processes to drive consistency and scalability.
• Develop and maintain crucial program management artifacts, including project plans, RAID logs, and dashboards.
• Monitor program health, track achievements, and communicate progress to stakeholders through structured reporting systems.

Strategic Influence and Execution

• Act as a central coordinator for programs and projects, fostering alignment across teams and ensuring adherence to scope, timelines, and deliverables.
• Identify risks, interdependencies, and opportunities, proactively working with stakeholders to develop and implement solutions.
• Provide structure and clarity by breaking down work into actionable tasks, assigning clear ownership, and driving accountability.
• Guide teams through governance requirements, including stage-gate reviews and scope management, to ensure program success.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build strong working relationships with internal and external partners to align priorities and drive cohesive execution.
• Partner with Product and Deployment Teams to optimize resource allocation and manage capacity across multiple initiatives.
• Facilitate regular communication cadences to keep all stakeholders advised and engaged throughout the program lifecycle.

Driving Results and Operational Excellence

• Provide high-quality program support, embedding standardized practices into project execution to achieve desired outcomes.
• Establish and maintain a critical issue matrix to ensure timely resolution of barriers to success.
• Prepare materials for leadership and stakeholder meetings, articulating program updates and driving informed decision-making.
• Lead program close-outs, ensuring lessons learned are captured and communicated to support continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of demonstrated experience in program/project management with a focus on large-scale, cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated success in implementing and driving adherence to standardized program management practices.
• Strong expertise in governance, risk management, and process improvement.
• Proficiency in program management tools and methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, hybrid approaches).

Key Competencies

• Collaborative Coordinator: Skilled at connecting teams and fostering alignment across functions.
• Outcome-Focused Executor: Demonstrated ability to deliver results through disciplined and standardized program management practices.
• Strategic Problem Solver: Strong analytical skills to anticipate challenges, identify solutions, and mitigate risks.
• Effective Influencer: Ability to guide and inspire teams through collaboration and structured communication.
• Detail-Oriented Organizer: Exceptional attention to detail in planning, tracking, and reporting program activities.

Additional Information:

McDonald’s is an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our workforce. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone. McDonald’s provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact mcdhrbenefits@us.mcd.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

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.