Sr Manager, AI Legal Counsel

McDonald's; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 167,366 - 209,207; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare benefits

401(k) plan

Educational assistance program

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

A leading global restaurant chain is seeking an AI Counsel to support its newly established Artificial Intelligence Legal team. This role involves providing legal analysis and compliance guidance on AI initiatives while collaborating with technology and data teams. Candidates should possess a J.D. and relevant legal experience, alongside strong skills in risk management and communication. The position includes competitive compensation and benefits, making it an excellent opportunity for legal professionals interested in AI governance.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to identify risks and provide smart-risk recommendations.
• Comfortable with uncertainty and change in dynamic environments.
• Strong intellectual curiosity with a motivation for continuous learning in AI.

Responsibilities

• Supports legal reviews on AI product development and deployment.
• Advises on compliance with AI regulations and standards.
• Creates AI guidance, playbooks, and governance materials.

Skills

Risk analysis and management

Legal compliance knowledge

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

J.D. degree from an accredited U.S. law school

Active good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction

Job description

McDonald’s is proud to be one of the most recognized brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries. We are committed to driving responsible innovation, building technologies that serve our customers and communities, and developing future‑ready capabilities across our global system.

The AI Counsel will be a key member of McDonald’s newly established Artificial Intelligence Legal team. This role supports enterprise‑wide AI initiatives by assisting in the development, governance, and implementation of safe and responsible AI systems for deployment globally.

Duties

• Supports legal reviews related to the development and deployment of AI products and systems.
• Provides analysis and advice on compliance with emerging global AI regulations and standards.
• Collaborates across Global Technology AI product developers, engineers, Enterprise Data Analytics & AI strategists, data scientists, various global business and legal teams and advises on applicable laws and ways to balance risk and reward for McDonald’s.
• Assists in drafting AI guidance, playbooks and governance materials.
• Supports AI contract reviews and risk assessments.
• Participates optimally and constructively as a member of the team.
• Is a strategic partner and trusted advisor on legal and non‑legal issues.
• Optimally communicates with and influences business clients at all levels of the organization, including senior management.
• Establishes proactive and trustworthy relationships with clients as well as other members of the legal organization globally.
• Works independently and efficiently under time pressures and deadlines in a dynamic, demanding environment.
• Owns dedicated and directed learning of AI.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Active good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Relevant years of legal experience in law firm and/or in‑house counsel roles.
• Knowledge of issues affecting AI/ML, Gen AI, agentic systems, including U.S. and EU AI regulatory compliance obligations, consumer protection, algorithmic bias /discrimination, anti‑trust, employment, intellectual property, data and privacy.
• Proven ability to identify risks and to comfortably make smart‑risk recommendations while balancing reward and business imperatives.
• Sound judgment evidenced through past work.
• Ability to contribute to, influence, and frequently lead cross‑functional teams.
• Comfortable with and effective in dealing with uncertainty and change.
• Strong issue‑spotting, communication, and collaboration skills with a team‑first approach.
• Intellectual curiosity and high motivation in continuous learning of AI.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and familiarity with AI/ML, GenAI systems, technology and privacy.
• Recognized AI governance professional certification.

Compensation

Bonus Eligible: Yes

Long‑Term Incentive: Yes

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Salary Range

The expected salary range for this role is $167,366.00 - $209,207.00 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.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

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 [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.