Sr Director, Tax Strategy

McDonald's; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 237,000 - 296,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Bonus eligible

Long term incentive

Job summary

McDonald’s is seeking a Senior Director of Global Tax Strategy to define and drive the company’s worldwide tax approach. You will influence senior finance and business leaders, translating complex tax concepts into actionable guidance and partnering across regions.

The role requires deep U.S. international tax and transfer pricing expertise, plus proven leadership of a large, diverse team. You'll engage with external advisors and tax authorities to support sustainable business outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, law or a tax‑related field.
• 15+ years of diverse tax experience in a fast‑paced global environment including 5+ years Big Four.
• Deep expertise in U.S. international taxation, transfer pricing and global tax principles.
• Experience supporting cross‑border planning, restructurings and controversy matters.
• Leadership experience developing and motivating diverse talent.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead a forward‑looking global tax strategy aligned with the business model.
• Partner with senior business and finance leaders; provide practical tax guidance.
• Lead cross‑border tax planning to enhance efficiency and manage risk.
• Direct transfer pricing strategy and ensure alignment with operating models.
• Provide governance for tax disputes, audits and authority engagements.
• Engage external advisors and maintain an external perspective on developments.
• Provide clear recommendations and drive decision making with governance.
• Lead and develop a diverse global team, building succession pipelines.

Skills

Global tax strategy

Transfer pricing

Tax controversy

Cross-border planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance/law/tax-related field

Master’s in Tax/LL.M./J.D./CPA or equivalent

Job description

Company Description:

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 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 ofoutstanding benefits including a sabbatical program, tuition assistance and flexible work arrangements.

Department Overview

The Senior Director, Global Tax Strategy is a highly visible role responsible for defining and advancing the Company’s global tax strategy. The role provides strategic direction across global tax planning, transfer pricing, and tax controversy and audits.

This leader will serve as a trusted advisor to global Finance and business colleagues, translating complex tax considerations into clear business implications and actionable recommendations. Success requires strong executive presence, sound judgment, and the ability to build trust and influence decisions across a broad range of high-profile stakeholders.

Reporting directly to the VP of Tax, this leader will contribute to functional strategy and translate enterprise priorities into executable plans for the Global Tax Strategy team. The role will also maintain high levels of engagement with external advisors, tax authorities, and other stakeholders to manage risk and support sustainable business outcomes.

Duties

• Global Tax Strategy and Leadership. Define and lead a forward-looking global tax strategy aligned with the Company’s business model, growth agenda and Finance priorities. Contribute to the broader Global Tax functional strategy and convert priorities into clear operational plans.
• Business Partnering. Act as a trusted partner to senior business and finance leaders. Build credibility through practical, balanced advice that integrates tax, financial, operational, and reputational considerations.
• Tax Strategy. Develop and lead execution of cross-border tax planning to enhance tax efficiency, manage risk, and enable global business priorities. Provide strategic tax guidance on operating models, financing, transactions, and structural changes in partnership with key enterprise stakeholders.
• Transfer Pricing. Provide direction for both strategic and operational transfer pricing, ensuring that business changes and cross-border operating models are evaluated holistically and implemented effectively.
• Tax Controversy, Audits and Authorities. Provide leadership for significant tax disputes, audits and tax authority engagement across jurisdictions. Establish disciplined positions, negotiation strategies, and escalation paths that protect the Company’s interests and support constructive relationships with tax authorities.
• External Advisors and Market Insight. Direct external advisors, legal counsel and other specialists. Maintain an external perspective on legislative, regulatory and enforcement developments and translate emerging issues into implications for the business.
• Risk, Governance and Decision Support. Provide clear recommendations on complex matters, articulate alternatives and trade‑offs, and support timely decisions under shifting priorities. Promote appropriate governance, documentation and transparency.
• People and Team Leadership. Lead and develop a high‑performing, diverse global team, including 2–3 direct reports and multiple teams. Set clear accountabilities, build technical and leadership capability, strengthen succession pipelines and foster an inclusive, collaborative culture.

Qualifications

• Education. Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, law or a tax‑related field required. Master’s in Tax, LL.M., J.D., CPA or a comparable advanced degree or professional credential is strongly preferred.
• Experience. 15+ years of diverse tax experience in a fast‑paced global environment, including at least 5 years with a Big Four accounting firm and a minimum of 3 years in an in‑house corporate tax role.
• Technical depth. Deep expertise in U.S. international taxation, global tax principles and transfer pricing, with experience supporting cross‑border planning and controversy matters.
• Transactions. Significant experience supporting business combinations, restructurings, and strategic business initiatives.
• Leadership. Demonstrated success leading, managing, developing and motivating high‑performing, diverse talent.

Compensation

• Bonus Eligible: Yes
• Long-Term Incentive: Yes
• Benefits Eligible: Yes

Salary Range

The expected salary range for this role $237,102- $296-377 per year

Additional Information:

• Benefits eligible: This position offers health and welfare benefits, including but not limited to comprehensive health insurance, which includes medical, prescription drug, mental health, dental and vision coverage, as well as, life insurance.
• 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. 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 [e-mail]. 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.

Job Details

Categories Tax Planning Corporate

Job title Sr Director, Tax Strategy

Date Posted 10/29/2026

Location(s) Chicago, IL, 60607, US

Job ID 5511