Director, IT Compliance

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.
Department Overview
McDonald's is seeking a Director of IT Compliance to lead our global IT compliance program, with a strong emphasis on Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Section 404 compliance. This role is based in Chicago and will report directly to the Sr. Director of Cyber GRC. The Director will oversee the full lifecycle of IT compliance activities-including design, implementation, monitoring, remediation, and continuous improvement of internal controls-ensuring that our technology environment supports audit readiness and regulatory confidence.
While the role has responsibility for all aspects of IT compliance (including PCI, privacy, and control frameworks), the top priority is delivering a high-quality, low-deficiency SOX IT General Controls (ITGC) program in partnership with internal audit, external auditors, and business technology teams.
Accountabilities & Responsibilities
SOX 404 Leadership & Execution

• Lead McDonald's global IT SOX 404 compliance program, with end-to-end ownership for planning, execution, documentation, and issue management.
• Oversee ITGC design and operating effectiveness monitoring across applications, infrastructure, and key systems.
• Serve as the primary liaison between external auditors, internal audit, and Global Technology to ensure timely resolution of requests and issues.
• Develop and maintain documentation (process narratives, RCMs, walkthroughs, test scripts) in collaboration with Internal Audit in support of SOX readiness and ongoing assurance.
• Drive remediation plans for identified deficiencies and ensure sustainable control improvements.

Broader IT Compliance Oversight

• Maintain and evolve the global IT compliance framework, ensuring alignment with key regulations and internal policy (e.g., PCI, privacy regulations, SSAE18, COSO, NIST).
• Monitor changes in laws, regulations, and industry standards, advising stakeholders on compliance impacts and required actions.
• Partner with Cybersecurity, Infrastructure, and Application teams to embed compliance into technology lifecycle and project delivery.

Controls Optimization & Risk Reduction

• Identify control inefficiencies and help streamline monitoring and quality assurance approaches.
• Lead initiatives to rationalize, automate, or enhance IT controls.
• Provide guidance on segregation of duties (SoD), access controls, and change management governance.

Governance & Reporting

• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on SOX status, control performance, and audit findings.
• Prepare executive-level metrics and dashboards to demonstrate compliance health.
• Represent IT Compliance in internal governance forums and cross-functional working groups.

People Leadership & Collaboration

• Manage a team of compliance professionals and/or coordinate external co-sourced support resources.
• Foster strong relationships with IT, Cybersecurity, Internal Audit, Legal, Finance, and external auditors.
• Create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across the compliance ecosystem.

Qualifications
Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in IT compliance, IT audit, or internal controls, with significant time spent directly managing SOX 404 programs.
• Deep understanding of ITGCs, key application controls, access management, change management, and audit methodologies.
• Strong familiarity with Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, PCAOB standards, and COSO framework.
• Excellent project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred:

• Experience in publicly traded global companies, ideally in retail, QSR, or consumer sectors.
• Risk assurance and internal audit experience with Big Four accounting firm, specializing in evaluating business processes, identifying control gaps, and advising on strategic improvements to strengthen enterprise risk management.
• Professional certifications such as CPA, CIA, CISA, or CRISC.
• Familiarity with GRC platforms.
• Understanding of cloud and SaaS control environments.

Compensation
Bonus Eligible: YES
Long - Term Incentive Eligible: YES
Benefits Eligible: YES
Salary Range
The expected salary range for this role is $168,350.00 - $218,860.00 per year
The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors.
Additional Information:
Benefits eligible: 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). Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment.
Bonus eligible: This position is eligible for a bonus, calculated based on individual and company performance.
Long term Incentive eligible: This position is eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to McDonald's long-term incentive plan.
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 [email protected]. 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.