Director - Finance Analytics (AI) [T500-19347]

About McDonald’s:

One of the world’s largest employers with locations in more than 100 countries, McDonald’s Corporation has corporate opportunities in Hyderabad. Our global offices serve as dynamic innovation and operations hubs, designed to expand McDonald's global talent base and in-house expertise. Our new office in Hyderabad will bring together knowledge across business, technology, analytics, and AI, accelerating our ability to deliver impactful solutions for the business and our customers across the globe.

Functional Portfolio Lead, Finance Analytics

Location

Level

Organization

Company Description:

McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer, operating in over 100 countries and serving millions of customers each day. With our Accelerating the Arches strategy, we are transforming our business by integrating data, technology, and AI to drive better outcomes across all areas of the organization. The Enterprise Data, Analytics, and AI (EDAA) organization is at the forefront of this transformation—developing capabilities and solutions that power decision-making, optimize performance, and unlock enterprise value.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Finance Portfolio Lead to direct our global portfolio of data and AI initiatives in the finance analytics domain. This role will bridge strategic finance objectives with digital transformation, encompassing both core finance sustainment (e.g., reporting, analysis, controls) and our GBS Finance Transformation efforts. You will lead a high-impact, cross-functional portfolio that integrates advanced analytics and AI products into daily financial operations and strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Own and evolve the vision and roadmap for data, analytics & AI within the Finance domain, aligned to enterprise goals and market needs.
• Partner closely with Global Finance, GBS, and market CFOs to shape and scale strategic initiatives that unlock value and improve decision-making.
• Be the voice of Data, Analytics and AI (EDAA) for Finance and the voice of Finance to EDAA

Portfolio Execution:

• Work with the Planning and Alignment team to execute on all execution and delivery of all finance-related analytics and AI initiatives, including financial forecasting models, data integrity controls, and executive reporting.
• Ensure alignment between sustain functions and transformation efforts across 15+ global markets, as it relates to the Finance Transformation initiatives.
• Oversee delivery of scalable data products and AI solutions, embedding automation and continuous improvement practices.
• Guide product and consulting teams in delivering scalable solutions that address real business challenges.
• Manage dependencies, risks, and resource allocations across multiple programs within the portfolio.
• Develop story telling that influences major decisions for finance senior leaders.
• Champion a product mindset and foster a culture of experimentation, measurement, and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Act as the key liaison between executive finance leadership and EDAA teams.
• Lead cross-functional governance forums, ensuring transparency, alignment, and outcome orientation.

Performance & Value Realization:

• Define and track KPIs across the finance portfolio, measuring impact on data quality, efficiency, and strategic enablement.
• Ensure solutions are adopted, maintained, and delivering sustained value to finance teams and business stakeholders.

Team Leadership:

• Lead a high-performing team of 15+ Direct and indirect reports
• Indirectly lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams across finance, IT, and analytics to execute against roadmap goals.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture focused on value creation, learning, and delivery.

Qualifications:

Required:

• 10+ years of experience in finance transformation, analytics, or product/portfolio leadership.
• Deep understanding of financial analysis, reporting, and governance in a global context.
• Proven track record of leading enterprise-wide transformations and data product initiatives in matrixed organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to drive adoption of digital and modern reporting tools across Finance and GBS teams.
• Strong storytelling and communication skills to influence senior stakeholders and drive adoption.

Preferred:

• Experience in QSR, retail, or CPG industries.
• Familiarity with AI/ML capabilities for pricing, demand forecasting, or transaction modeling.
• Background in business strategy, consulting, or enterprise data product management.

McDonald’s Values

• Serve:

  We put our customers and people first.

• Inclusion:

  We open our doors to everyone.

• Integrity:

  We do the right thing.

• Community:

  We are good neighbors.

• Family:

  We get better together.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

McDonald’s is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and providing an inclusive, accessible workplace for all. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply and offer accommodations throughout the recruitment process to ensure a fair experience for everyone.