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 informatio