Development Licensing Manager

Develop and communicate clear objectives and procedures for the Franchise Licensing & Compliance department; provide a united focus to ensure a more productive, cohesive team environment, effective and consistent workforce, and effectively manage activities related between the pipeline and system size licensing and compliance activities and implement strategies for improvement as necessary. Manage and review the work of assigned department staff by providing supervision, mentoring, technical guidance and training in daily activities. Develop, administer, and monitor a quality assurance program to ensure data and document integrity. Establish and maintain relationships with hotel owners, Manage issuance of business development documentation of deals approved at FAC. Assist Managers with solicitation, and negotiating the license renewal, change of ownership and brand change application process for franchise applicants and current owners. Assure that approval of change of ownership and/or license renewal applications places the distribution of all IHG brands in line with the IHG objectives by working closely with Regional/Field Consultants, VP’s, SVP’s, and Business Development staff. Coordinate complex or multi-property licensing transactions, review official licensing documents prepared by the licensing specialists for accuracy and legality, and interact with franchisees and attorneys to resolve licensing issues, answer questions or provide licensing information or regulations. Manage the licensing compliance process for all franchise applicants and existing franchisees. Manage staff members responsible for administering licensing, hotel opening, and compliance-related processes. Generate daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports

Your day to day 

• Strong leadership capabilities to manage regionally based staff and ensure that product and service quality are being monitored and maintained across the entire Americas Region for all 7 brands.
• Monitor the license renewal and change of ownership application process handled by subordinate staff.
• Coordinate complex or multi-property licensing transactions. Assist subordinate staff with more complicated licensing or compliance actions as needed. 
• Provide and implement improvements in processes, systems and various other tools and programs to support the Franchise Licensing & Compliance Department.
• Manage the activities of the department and subordinate staff to ensure the consistency and integrity of the licensing & compliance process.  Act as an expert on all aspects of the licensing & compliance process.
• Act as liaison with internal stakeholders to streamline processes, implement new programs/procedures, train employees and ensure that practices are consistent throughout the Americas.
• Participate in Franchise Approval and Franchise Compliance Committee meetings or substitute as leader of the meeting in the Director’s absence.
• Conduct classes, seminars, and meetings to educate subordinate staff on processes and procedures.
• Prepare regional reports, performance metrics, and perform data integrity checks to provide to the Director, Franchise Licensing & Compliance.
• Represent the Company in depositions, court appearances, legal proceedings and other litigation matters involving Licensing & Compliance issues as required. Coordinate with Legal Department and provide information and pertinent franchise data as needed.
• Negotiate with lenders, and financial institutions and their legal counsel in regards to foreclosed hotels in order to successfully execute a license agreement with a qualified prospective buyer.
• Negotiate and interact with outside counsel/lenders regarding licensing and comfort letter negotiations.
• Act as point of contact with franchise hotel owners, potential franchisees, or their attorneys to provide information or resolve issues as needed. 
• Act as the primary liaison between the Franchisee and all related internal personnel (i.e. Franchise Development, Field Services, Property Improvement Consultants, Quality Consultants, Sales, Development, etc.) to ensure a consistent line of communication during the licensing process. 
• Manage the administration of Franchise licensing and compliance activities, including issuance of official documents. Assist in developing and/or modifying procedures for licensing administration as needed.
• Maintain intricate/track all elements from license execution to opening, compliance issues through leaving the IHG system.
• Respond to and/or resolve internal and external inquiries regarding information related to licensing., as needed
• Review and approve principal franchising documents and correspondence slated for issuance and execution, including license agreements, comfort letters, default letters, termination letters, etc. to ensure compliance with internal and external laws, rules and regulations. 
• Compose and provide quality control over all stipulations in License Agreements to ensure accuracy and adherence to all state and federal regulations and Company standards while working with our legal department as well as outside attorneys. Ensure accurate and timely follow up for licensing actions and/or requests.
• Manage data entry/revisions of information in the shared licensing database to ensure its continued accuracy and integrity. Manage document retention system to ensure confidential documents, corporate deeds, license applications and other official documentation is scanned and filed in an accurate and timely manner. Provide assistance and additional training as necessary to resolve any discrepancies in entry of information or maintenance of critical file information. 
• Research franchise files for management, Franchise Approval or Compliance committee members, and/or licensees to gather historical information, or to resolve any issues or discrepancies with ongoing licensing activity.
• Coach and develop team members by providing mentoring, technical guidance and/or training in daily activities by way of teaching how to hire, fire, assess, discipline, document performance, recommend salary and classification changes. Act as an advisor to team members to help meet established schedules and/or resolve technical or operational problems.

What we need from you

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Hospitality Hotel Administration or a related field of work or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience. Paralegal or franchise contract experience required.
• 8 to 10 years progressive work-related experience with demonstrated mastery of technical and business knowledge and understanding of multiple disciplines/ processes related to the position. Work experience should include proficiencies primarily emphasizing in legal administration and sales in hotel operations or a similar environment/ related field, as well as 5 to 7 years prior supervisory or team leader experience.
• Demonstrated ability to use consultative or persuasive communication skills to effectively resolve issues with hotel principles and owners.
• Demonstrated project management experience in organizing, planning and executing medium to large-scale projects from conception through implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, supervise and train lower-level staff members in departmental activities and procedures.
• Demonstrated understanding of franchise hotel lifecycle and fundamental components of franchise license agreement
• Demonstrated mediation skills/ability to persuade parties, communicates appropriate information, maintain confidentiality and legality of proceedings, and successfully negotiate solutions of disputes to resolutions
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships with franchisees and hotel owners
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and analyze financial statements and to create accurate financial spreadsheets
• Demonstrated knowledge of rules, laws and regulations surrounding the franchise licensing process while understanding the content, wording, and legality of franchise licensing documents
• Demonstrated understanding of Federal Trade Commission regulations and state franchising laws in order to create accurate documents and effectively negotiate licensing agreements within established guidelines
• Demonstrated ability to keep current with industry trends/changes
• Demonstrated advanced working knowledge of personal computers; included Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc.).

Location – Atlanta, GA: Our hybrid work structure is an expectation of three (3) days a week in office. This expectation may be adjusted to evolve with the changing needs of the business.

The salary range for this role is $58,834.00 to $100,000.00.  This role is also eligible for bonus pay (as applicable). We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401K, and other benefits to employees.  

At IHG, we’ve made a promise. As one of the world’s leading hotel groups, we’re here to deliver True Hospitality for Good. Making our guests and colleagues feel welcome, cared for, recognised and respected – wherever they are in the world. Want to be part of the journey?