Director, RMH Legal Counsel
McDonald's, Chicago, IL, United States
Role Summary
The RMH General Counsel will play a key role in managing the organization’s legal affairs across a wide range of operational areas. This position is responsible for contract review, legal and litigation support, coordination with external counsel (including the development of a pro‑bono network), insurance oversight, and leading enterprise risk management and compliance efforts. The RMH General Counsel will also oversee estate processing managed by an external firm, manage entity maintenance, and proactively monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting nonprofit organizations.
About Ronald McDonald House Ronald McDonald House® is an independent, nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization that cares for families when they have children who are ill or injured. Through a global network of 250+ independently operated Chapters in 60+ countries and regions, we surround families with the resources, services, and support they need, removing barriers so they can be at the heart of their child’s care and ensure the best possible health outcomes.
Work Model We are enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid work model, in which Ronald McDonald House Global employees spend part of their week connecting with co‑workers in our state‑of‑the‑art McDonald’s headquarters in the booming West Loop of downtown Chicago.
Duties Contract Review & Management
Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of contracts including vendor services agreements, sponsorship agreements, and grant agreements.
Develop and maintain contract templates and standard legal language in line with organizational risk tolerance.
Legal and Litigation Support
Provide legal guidance on potential or actual disputes.
Support document collection and internal investigation efforts and assist with discovery and filings in coordination with external counsel.
External Legal Coordination
Serve as primary liaison with external counsel across jurisdictions as necessary.
Build and maintain a network of pro‑bono legal support globally.
Manage the relationship with the McDonald’s legal team that supports the Charity with board governance and trademark licensing.
Evaluate and manage legal budgets and engagements with external providers.
Insurance Oversight
Review and manage the organization’s insurance portfolio.
Oversee the insurance renewal process, manage claims (if any) and liaise with McDonald’s insurance team and brokers and insurers to ensure appropriate coverage.
Estate Processing Oversight
Oversee outsourced estate administration performed by retained law firm.
Ensure timely and compliant handling of bequests and related donor estate matters.
Enterprise Risk Management
Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the organization’s enterprise risk management (ERM) framework.
Advise leadership on legal and regulatory risks and mitigation strategies.
Regulatory & Government Filings
Ensure timely and accurate filing of all required legal registrations, licenses, and reports.
Monitor changes in applicable laws and regulations and implement necessary compliance measures.
Entity Maintenance
Maintain corporate records, including by-laws, board meeting minutes, resolutions, and required annual filings.
Coordinate with internal departments and external service providers to ensure good standing across jurisdictions.
Qualifications
Attorney licensed to practice law and in good standing with a state bar association.
A minimum of 10 years’ experience as an attorney practicing commercial law preferred.
Strong knowledge of enterprise risk management frameworks, regulatory requirements, and best practices preferred.
Strong understanding of legal issues affecting nonprofit organizations, including contracts, insurance, risk management, and compliance.
Experience working across multiple legal jurisdictions preferred.
Exceptional judgment, integrity, and commitment to the organization’s mission.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
Compensation Salary range: $195,371.00 - $244,214.00 per year.
Bonus Eligible: Yes
Long‑Term Incentive Eligible: Yes
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Benefits 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: calculated based on individual and company performance.
Long‑Term Incentive: eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to McDonald’s long‑term incentive plan.
Equal Employment Opportunity 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 mcdhrbenefits@us.mcd.com. 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.
Notice Nothing in this job posting or description should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
About Ronald McDonald House Ronald McDonald House® is an independent, nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization that cares for families when they have children who are ill or injured. Through a global network of 250+ independently operated Chapters in 60+ countries and regions, we surround families with the resources, services, and support they need, removing barriers so they can be at the heart of their child’s care and ensure the best possible health outcomes.
Work Model We are enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid work model, in which Ronald McDonald House Global employees spend part of their week connecting with co‑workers in our state‑of‑the‑art McDonald’s headquarters in the booming West Loop of downtown Chicago.
Duties Contract Review & Management
Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of contracts including vendor services agreements, sponsorship agreements, and grant agreements.
Develop and maintain contract templates and standard legal language in line with organizational risk tolerance.
Legal and Litigation Support
Provide legal guidance on potential or actual disputes.
Support document collection and internal investigation efforts and assist with discovery and filings in coordination with external counsel.
External Legal Coordination
Serve as primary liaison with external counsel across jurisdictions as necessary.
Build and maintain a network of pro‑bono legal support globally.
Manage the relationship with the McDonald’s legal team that supports the Charity with board governance and trademark licensing.
Evaluate and manage legal budgets and engagements with external providers.
Insurance Oversight
Review and manage the organization’s insurance portfolio.
Oversee the insurance renewal process, manage claims (if any) and liaise with McDonald’s insurance team and brokers and insurers to ensure appropriate coverage.
Estate Processing Oversight
Oversee outsourced estate administration performed by retained law firm.
Ensure timely and compliant handling of bequests and related donor estate matters.
Enterprise Risk Management
Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the organization’s enterprise risk management (ERM) framework.
Advise leadership on legal and regulatory risks and mitigation strategies.
Regulatory & Government Filings
Ensure timely and accurate filing of all required legal registrations, licenses, and reports.
Monitor changes in applicable laws and regulations and implement necessary compliance measures.
Entity Maintenance
Maintain corporate records, including by-laws, board meeting minutes, resolutions, and required annual filings.
Coordinate with internal departments and external service providers to ensure good standing across jurisdictions.
Qualifications
Attorney licensed to practice law and in good standing with a state bar association.
A minimum of 10 years’ experience as an attorney practicing commercial law preferred.
Strong knowledge of enterprise risk management frameworks, regulatory requirements, and best practices preferred.
Strong understanding of legal issues affecting nonprofit organizations, including contracts, insurance, risk management, and compliance.
Experience working across multiple legal jurisdictions preferred.
Exceptional judgment, integrity, and commitment to the organization’s mission.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
Compensation Salary range: $195,371.00 - $244,214.00 per year.
Bonus Eligible: Yes
Long‑Term Incentive Eligible: Yes
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Benefits 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: calculated based on individual and company performance.
Long‑Term Incentive: eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to McDonald’s long‑term incentive plan.
Equal Employment Opportunity 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 mcdhrbenefits@us.mcd.com. 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.
Notice Nothing in this job posting or description should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr