Director, UX Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director, UX Design Company: McDonald's Corporation Location: Chicago, IL, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Accessibility Leadership Date Posted: December 09, 2025 Experience Level: 10+ Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic vision and execution of accessibility initiatives across McDonald's global digital products and platforms, ensuring inclusive experiences for all users.
• Manage, coach, and develop a diverse team of accessibility experts, fostering their growth and driving impactful results.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Experience Design, and Engineering leadership to integrate accessibility into product roadmaps and development cycles.
• Champion inclusive design principles and elevate organizational competency, moving beyond compliance to set new industry standards for accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Director, UX Design," the detailed responsibilities and qualifications heavily emphasize accessibility leadership. This role is more accurately categorized as a senior leadership position focused on accessibility within the broader UX and Global Technology organization, rather than a general UX design management role. The focus on "Director, Accessibility" within the description highlights this specialization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and articulate the overarching vision and strategic roadmap for accessibility within McDonald's digital ecosystem, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer needs.
• Lead, mentor, and empower a team of accessibility specialists, including those focused on global standards, design systems, inclusive research, and product quality reporting.
• Equip product managers, experience designers, and engineers with the necessary training, tools, resources, and embedded expertise to effectively implement accessibility best practices.
• Partner with peer directors across Experience Design, Product Management, and Engineering to influence quarterly roadmaps, resource allocation, and strategic initiative prioritization.
• Drive organizational competency in inclusive design by advocating for its importance and operationalizing strategies that deliver measurable improvements in user access and experience for marginalized communities.
• Develop and present compelling case studies and data-driven arguments to senior leaders and executives (VP to C-Suite) to secure buy-in and resources for accessibility initiatives.
• Ensure that digital products and platforms, including web, mobile, kiosks, and point-of-sale systems, meet or exceed global accessibility standards and legal requirements.
• Foster innovation in accessibility that extends beyond baseline compliance, aiming to create industry-leading experiences that enhance access for all customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a strategic leadership role focused on embedding accessibility across a large, global organization. The emphasis on influencing senior leadership, operationalizing strategy, and driving measurable outcomes suggests a need for strong business acumen and change management skills in addition to technical expertise.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional work experience. Experience:

• 10+ years of relevant industry experience leading accessibility initiatives across diverse digital products and platforms.
• 5+ years of direct experience managing, coaching, and developing individuals and teams; global experience is preferred.
• Proven track record of leading large teams (10+ individuals, including managers of managers) and driving significant business outcomes related to accessibility.

Required Skills:

• Deep understanding of inclusive design principles and global accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and their practical application across various technologies (web, mobile, kiosk, POS, enterprise software).
• Demonstrated ability to influence and gain buy-in from senior executives (VP and C-Suite levels) through persuasive communication and strong case studies.
• Expertise in defining and executing strategic vision for accessibility within a large, complex organization.
• Strong people leadership and team development skills, with experience in coaching and mentoring diverse talent.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Proficiency in advocating for and operationalizing inclusive design practices throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Experience in driving innovation beyond basic compliance to set new accessibility standards.
• Ability to partner effectively with cross-functional leaders in Product Management, UX Design, and Engineering.

Preferred Skills:

• CPACC, CPWA, or similar accessibility certifications.
• Experience working within the quick-service restaurant (QSR) or consumer-facing technology industry.
• Global experience in managing distributed teams and diverse market needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Preferred Qualifications" section explicitly lists industry certifications, indicating that candidates holding these credentials will have a distinct advantage. The emphasis on influencing executives and demonstrating ROI through case studies points to a need for strong strategic and communication skills, aligning with a senior leadership profile.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies on Accessibility Strategy: Demonstrating the development and execution of comprehensive accessibility strategies that led to measurable improvements in user access and inclusivity.
• Impact Metrics: Evidence of how accessibility initiatives have positively impacted key business metrics, such as user engagement, customer satisfaction, or reduced legal risk, presented with clear data and analysis.
• Team Leadership Examples: Documentation or examples showcasing the candidate's ability to manage, mentor, and develop teams of accessibility specialists, highlighting growth and achievement within their teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Evidence or examples of successful partnerships with Product Management, Design, and Engineering teams to integrate accessibility into product development workflows and roadmaps.
• Innovation & Standard Setting: Examples of contributions that have pushed beyond compliance, setting new benchmarks or innovative approaches to accessibility in digital products.

Process Documentation:

• Accessibility Integration Workflows: Documentation outlining how accessibility is embedded into design systems, research processes, and development lifecycles, with clear workflow diagrams.
• Training and Enablement Programs: Materials or outlines for training programs designed to educate product teams on inclusive design principles and accessibility best practices.
• Standard Setting and Governance: Processes for defining, communicating, and enforcing global accessibility standards across a distributed organization.
• Performance Measurement Frameworks: Methodologies for measuring and reporting on the accessibility posture and performance of digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role focused on accessibility, a portfolio should showcase strategic thinking, leadership impact, and the ability to drive organizational change. The emphasis is less on individual design artifacts and more on the strategic frameworks, team leadership, and demonstrable business outcomes achieved through accessibility initiatives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $195,371 - $244,214 per year.

• This range reflects the expected compensation for the role based on the provided information. The final offer will depend on factors such as the candidate's experience, qualifications, and other job-related considerations.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and welfare benefits.
• 401(k) plan with company contributions.
• Adoption assistance program.
• Educational assistance program for continuous learning and development.
• Flexible ways of working to support work-life balance.
• Generous time off policies, including sick leave, parental leave, and vacation/paid time off (PTO).
• Eligibility requirements may apply for certain benefits, depending on job classification and length of employment.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time).

• The role is designated as on-site, implying a standard office work schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is for the US market. For international locations, salary research would involve consulting reliable sources such as Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, or local compensation data providers, adjusting for cost of living and regional market rates for Director-level roles in technology and UX/Accessibility. The benefits listed are standard for large corporations, with specific details often available upon request or during the interview process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage / Technology (Global Omnichannel Restaurant Brand) Company Size: McDonald's is a massive global corporation, employing over 150,000 people (as per LinkedIn data, though the specific number can fluctuate). This large scale implies extensive resources, complex organizational structures, and a significant impact on global technology trends. Founded: 1940. With a long history, McDonald's has evolved significantly, now placing a strong emphasis on technology to drive its "Accelerating the Arches" growth strategy.

Team Structure:

• The Global Experience Design team is part of the Consumer Products & Platforms team within Global Technology.
• This role leads a group of accessibility specialists who work across various product development teams.
• The Director will report into a senior leader within Experience Design or Product Management and will collaborate closely with directors in Product Management, Experience Design, and Engineering.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, requiring strong partnerships with engineering, product, design, legal, and marketing teams to embed accessibility across the organization.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The company emphasizes using data and insights to inform strategies, including accessibility performance metrics.
• Agile and Iterative Development: While not explicitly stated, leading technology initiatives in a company of this size typically involves agile methodologies for rapid development and iteration.
• Global Standards and Scalability: A key focus is on defining and implementing global standards that can be scaled across thousands of restaurants and millions of customers worldwide.
• Innovation and Emerging Technology: McDonald's is actively exploring AI, robotics, and other emerging technologies, suggesting an environment that values forward-thinking solutions.

Company Website: https://www.mcdonalds.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The scale of McDonald's presents unique challenges and opportunities for an accessibility leader. The "Accelerating the Arches" strategy, with its focus on digital, delivery, and drive-thru, means that accessibility is critical for reaching the broadest possible customer base and ensuring a positive brand experience across all touchpoints.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role, equivalent to a Director or Head of Accessibility. It involves setting strategic direction, managing significant teams, influencing executive stakeholders, and driving large-scale organizational change. It sits at a critical intersection of technology, user experience, and business strategy. Reporting Structure: The role reports into a senior leadership position within the Global Technology organization, likely a VP or SVP of Experience Design, Product, or Technology. The Director will directly manage a team of accessibility professionals, potentially including managers of individual contributors. Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is to ensure that McDonald's digital products and services are accessible to all customers, regardless of ability. This directly supports the company's growth strategy by expanding market reach, enhancing customer satisfaction, mitigating legal risks, and reinforcing the brand's commitment to inclusivity and "feel-good moments" for everyone. By embedding accessibility into core processes, the role aims to drive long-term value and competitive advantage.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to expand the scope of responsibility to encompass broader UX strategy, design operations, or lead larger, more integrated teams within Global Technology.
• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape industry standards for accessibility in the QSR and retail technology space, influencing how global brands approach inclusive design.
• Mentorship and Development: Continued opportunity to coach and develop high-performing accessibility professionals, building a strong talent pipeline for the organization.
• Cross-Industry Collaboration: Potential to represent McDonald's in industry forums, contribute to accessibility standards bodies, or lead cross-company initiatives focused on digital inclusion.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for impact at a global scale. The growth path is clearly defined towards broader leadership within technology or experience design, with a strong emphasis on strategic influence and industry recognition in the field of accessibility.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in Chicago, IL. This suggests a corporate headquarters environment where collaboration and in-person engagement are prioritized. Office Location(s): Chicago, IL. This location is a major hub for corporate operations, offering access to talent and resources. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The on-site requirement points to an environment designed for team collaboration, in-person meetings, and spontaneous idea exchange, crucial for a Director-level role.
• Technology-Rich Environment: As part of Global Technology, expect access to modern tools, software, and infrastructure necessary for leading digital product development and accessibility initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Interaction: The role will involve frequent interaction with diverse teams across Product, Design, Engineering, and potentially Marketing and Legal, fostering a dynamic and collaborative work setting.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with the expectation of flexibility and dedication typical of a Director-level position, especially when driving strategic initiatives or managing global teams across time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Chicago indicates a preference for in-person leadership and collaboration. This environment is likely designed to foster strong team cohesion and facilitate direct engagement with key stakeholders, which is essential for a role tasked with driving broad organizational change.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application, focusing on leadership experience in accessibility and digital product development.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to assess strategic thinking, leadership style, and alignment with the team's vision. Be prepared to discuss your approach to building and leading accessibility teams.
• Cross-Functional Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with peers and leaders from Product Management, UX Design, and Engineering. These sessions will evaluate your ability to collaborate, influence, and integrate accessibility into their respective domains.
• Executive Interview: A final interview with a senior executive (e.g., VP or C-suite) to gauge executive presence, strategic vision, and suitability for a leadership role within McDonald's Global Technology.
• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present case studies demonstrating your past successes in accessibility leadership, strategic planning, team management, and driving measurable outcomes.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Strategy and Impact: Showcase strategic frameworks, your vision for accessibility, and how you’ve translated that into actionable plans. Emphasize the measurable business and user impact of your initiatives.
• Highlight Leadership: Provide examples of how you’ve managed, mentored, and grown teams, fostering a culture of inclusion and excellence.
• Demonstrate Cross-Functional Influence: Include examples of how you’ve successfully partnered with and influenced Product, Design, and Engineering teams to embed accessibility.
• Quantify Results: Use data and metrics to illustrate the success of your projects. Quantify improvements in accessibility scores, user satisfaction, or business outcomes.
• Tailor to McDonald's: Research McDonald's "Accelerating the Arches" strategy and their digital initiatives. Frame your experience in a way that shows how you can contribute to their specific goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Scenario: Be prepared for a question asking how you would approach a specific accessibility challenge at McDonald's (e.g., improving accessibility for a global mobile app rollout or integrating accessibility into a new POS system).
• Leadership Scenario: Expect behavioral questions about how you’ve handled team challenges, managed difficult stakeholders, or driven change in a large organization.
• Vision Setting: Be ready to articulate your vision for accessibility at McDonald's and how you would operationalize it over the next 1-3 years.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with a significant emphasis on the ability to present a compelling portfolio showcasing tangible results and strategic impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Accessibility Auditing & Testing Tools: Familiarity with tools like WAVE, axe, Siteimprove, UserWay, or similar platforms for evaluating web and mobile accessibility compliance.
• Design and Prototyping Tools: Experience working with or understanding the accessibility features within design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, which are standard in UX.
• Project Management Software: Proficiency with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for managing roadmaps, tasks, and team workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics to understand user behavior and identify areas for accessibility improvement based on usage patterns.
• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with platforms like Tableau or Power BI to create dashboards and reports that communicate accessibility progress and impact to stakeholders.
• User Feedback & Survey Tools: Experience with tools like SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, or in-app feedback mechanisms to gather user insights, including feedback from users with disabilities.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): While not directly managing CRM, understanding how accessibility impacts customer interactions managed through CRM can be beneficial.
• Collaboration & Communication Platforms: Extensive use of tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, Confluence, and Google Workspace for team communication, documentation, and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is focused on accessibility leadership, a strong understanding of the broader technology stack used in digital product development (design tools, analytics, project management) is essential for effective collaboration and integration of accessibility practices. The emphasis will be on how these tools support or are impacted by accessibility standards.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to serving the needs of all customers, ensuring a positive "feel-good" experience for everyone.
• Inclusivity and Diversity: Actively promoting an inclusive environment and ensuring that products and services are accessible to people of all abilities and backgrounds.
• Innovation: Embracing new technologies and creative approaches to solve complex challenges and set new standards.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across teams and functions to achieve shared goals and drive organizational success.
• Accountability: Taking ownership of outcomes and driving measurable results through strategic planning and execution.
• Excellence: Striving for high quality and continuous improvement in all aspects of work, moving beyond compliance to set aspirational standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: A highly collaborative style, actively engaging with Product, Design, Engineering, Marketing, Legal, and other departments to embed accessibility.
• Empowerment and Support: Leading teams by empowering individuals, providing support, and fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and can contribute their best work.
• Data-Informed Dialogue: Engaging in constructive dialogue based on data, research, and user insights to make informed decisions and drive consensus.
• Advocacy and Education: Proactively advocating for accessibility and educating stakeholders across the organization on its importance and practical implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes creating "feel-good moments" for customers, which directly aligns with the mission of accessibility. The values highlight a blend of customer-centricity, innovation, and strong teamwork, essential for a Director role driving significant organizational change.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scale and Complexity: Implementing consistent accessibility standards across a vast, global organization with diverse digital products and legacy systems presents significant complexity.
• Driving Organizational Change: Shifting mindsets and ingrained practices across multiple departments to prioritize accessibility requires strong change management and continuous advocacy.
• Balancing Innovation with Compliance: Ensuring cutting-edge digital experiences are also fully accessible and compliant with evolving global standards.
• Resource Allocation: Securing and prioritizing resources (budget, personnel, time) for accessibility initiatives within a large, fast-paced technology organization.
• Global Harmonization: Navigating different regional regulations and cultural nuances related to accessibility while maintaining a unified global strategy.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Leadership: Opportunity to become a recognized leader in accessibility within the QSR and broader technology industry by shaping best practices and influencing standards.
• Executive Influence: Developing advanced skills in executive communication, strategic planning, and stakeholder management at the highest levels of a global corporation.
• Broad Technology Exposure: Gaining deep insights into the technological landscape of a major omni-channel retailer, including AI, digital platforms, and operational technology.
• Team Development: Building and leading a high-performing global team of accessibility experts, fostering their career growth and expertise.
• Professional Certifications: Pursuing advanced certifications or contributing to industry bodies related to accessibility and inclusive design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is ideal for a leader who thrives on tackling complex organizational challenges and driving impactful change at scale. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to shape the future of digital inclusion for one of the world's largest brands.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your philosophy on accessibility and inclusive design, and how it extends beyond mere compliance to create exceptional user experiences for all."
• "How would you define and measure success for an accessibility program at a global company like McDonald's, considering our 'Accelerating the Arches' strategy?"
• "Outline your approach to embedding accessibility into the product development lifecycle, from ideation and design to engineering and post-launch."
• "How would you gain buy-in and secure resources from senior executives (VP/C-suite) for a significant accessibility initiative?"
• "Given our focus on digital, delivery, and drive-thru, where do you see the biggest accessibility opportunities and challenges for McDonald's?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about leading accessibility at McDonald's, and how do you see your role contributing to our 'feel-good' mission?"
• "Describe a time you successfully influenced a cross-functional team (e.g., Product, Engineering) to adopt new accessibility practices. What was your strategy?"
• "How would you foster a culture of accessibility awareness and ownership across a large, distributed organization?"
• "What are your thoughts on the balance between innovation and ensuring accessibility for marginalized communities?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your strategic approach, the actions taken, the team involved, and the quantifiable results.
• Highlight Leadership and Influence: Explicitly detail your role in leading teams, influencing stakeholders, and driving change. Use "I" for your direct contributions and "we" for team achievements.
• Showcase Data and Impact: Present metrics that demonstrate the positive outcomes of your work. This could include improvements in accessibility scores, user satisfaction, engagement rates, or risk reduction.
• Tailor to McDonald's Context: Frame your examples to resonate with McDonald's business goals and technological focus (digital, delivery, drive-thru, AI).
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your methodologies, challenges faced, and how you would apply your learnings to McDonald's specific situation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic leadership, deep accessibility expertise, and the ability to drive change within a large, complex organization. Quantifiable results and a clear vision for the future of accessibility at McDonald's will be key differentiators.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Director, UX Design (Accessibility Lead) position:

• Submit your application through the McDonald's careers portal via the provided URL.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate a portfolio that prominently features your strategic leadership in accessibility, with case studies detailing your impact on digital products and organizational processes. Emphasize your experience managing and developing teams.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords such as "accessibility," "inclusive design," "UX strategy," "team leadership," "stakeholder management," and "global standards." Quantify achievements with numbers and metrics where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your vision for accessibility at McDonald's, preparing specific examples of how you've driven change, managed teams, and influenced senior leaders. Be ready to present your portfolio confidently.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research McDonald's "Accelerating the Arches" strategy, their digital transformation efforts, and their stated commitment to inclusivity. Understand how accessibility plays a critical role in their business objectives.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.