Manager, International Development

Job Overview

Responsible for developing and expanding Darden’s portfolio of brands with a focus on sales of new territories and the management of current development agreements with existing partners. This includes all strategies and key initiatives around the sizing and prioritization of target markets, sourcing, selecting, and onboarding of new franchisees.

Ensures appropriate objectives and priorities are established and executed to achieve defined growth plans. Provides strategic analysis of franchise-related business to the senior leadership team and advises them on the defined international business opportunities and markets. Reports to the President of International and Franchising.

Roles And Responsibilities

Business Expansion/Building New Partnerships

• Critically evaluates business to determine the feasibility and profitability of new partnerships / markets
• Creates and executes strategic plans for recruiting specific franchise partner candidates that meet the profile of successful new franchisees in targeted priority markets
• Executes the International Development Strategy by recruiting, assessing, and presenting new Area Development Agreements with key business partners in the target geographic markets within the defined Region. The MOD leads this process country by country (strategy, planning, negotiation, execution, risk assessment and mitigation, collaboration, issue resolution) in the effort to achieve new restaurant openings through execution of international franchise recruitment strategies.
• Develops strong partnerships with current and potential franchise partners
• Works closely with President of International and Franchising reviewing all franchise-related documents to ensure full compliance with new potential franchise partners
• Due diligence and analysis of all Franchise restaurant business plans related to all aspects of market entry strategy planning, franchisee identification and validations, site selection.
• Focuses on the project management task of taking franchise businesses into targeted global markets while building the accompanying infrastructure for sustainable future growth
• Responds to queries and requests for further information as part of negotiation process
  
  

Driving Performance with Existing Partnerships

• In collaboration with each brand and franchise partner, partners with the President of International and Franchising to oversee the development and implementation of respective market specific road maps that help each achieve its financial and growth objectives to drive profitability while adhering to their development commitments
• Ensures the protection of Darden’s brand equity and value through ensuring consistent franchise development of great restaurants, in the right locations, ensuring that the brands are represented in the best viable way
  
  

Other

• From time to time will be delegated special projects and initiatives for exploration of entrepreneurial ideas to potentially expand our business in new and innovative ways
• Develops and maintains relationships with other Darden International and regional team members and fosters collaboration with key stakeholders
• Represents the company externally at industry conferences and international franchise development meetings
• Works with President of International and Franchising to work within budgets and resources allocations
  
  

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business, hospitality management or related field
• MBA preferred
  
  

Other Key Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of franchise sales experience in hospitality or restaurant industry
• 3 years direct experience supporting international business/franchise partnerships
• Experience working in global organizations and adept at operating across geographies and cultures; ability to think globally and locally
• Expert negotiator and relationship building who can collaborate across functions and business units
• Strong analytical, quantitative and data management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including ability to prepare clear, concise, and accurate documentation and reports
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and multi-task while meeting tight deadlines with fast-paced changing priorities; exceptional organizational skills; ability to manage several projects at once, even while away from the office
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex situations and develop effective solutions
• Proven initiative-taker with the independence, initiative and drive to succeed with a flexible can-do approach to strategic planning and problem-solving
• Absolute discretion and confidentiality regarding sensitive information
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required
• International travel up to 60% or more, including extended periods of time
  
  

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Demonstrated strategic agility through long-term thinking and perspective; anticipates trends, is initiative-taking about opportunities; connects the dots by understanding how current actions tie to future possibilities and challenges
• Experience in market planning, site sourcing for multi-unit chain
• Experience with organizational design and development
• Proven success driving meaningful innovation
• Proficient foreign language skills