Lead Specialist Franchise Licensing & Compl

Job description

Description

About us

Bringing True Hospitality to the world.

We want to welcome you to a world of bringing True Hospitality to everyone. When you join us at IHG®, you become part of our global family. A welcoming culture of warmth, honesty, and a passion for providing True Hospitality.

We pride ourselves on letting your personality and passions shine, recognizing the individual contribution you make and supporting your ambition to learn and create your own career path. In making a difference to our guests and owners, colleagues and communities, every day is a chance to create great and unique experiences, in your own way.

With over 370,000 colleagues in nearly 100 countries sharing our values, there’s countless opportunities at your fingertips.

We’re growing; grow with us.

Your day to day

Job Summary –

Perform contractual administration duties related to the issuance and approval of licensing and compliance for all New Development/Conversion license agreements as well as relicensing and change of ownership license agreements. Issue and fully execute franchise licensing agreements and associated legal documents; Compose all addenda to modify terms of the license agreement; Issue all compliance-related documents to the franchise community; track franchise data and ensure that all contract and file documentation is complete and accurate in order to issue a legally defensible license; Responsible for maintaining and updating almost all information in the company’s global database. Provides consultation and acts as key contact for franchisees on all issues related to franchising and inquiries relating to license agreements. Negotiate comfort letters with franchisees and outside counsel to assist franchisees in obtaining financing. Follow up and collection of contract-related data and collection of fees. Collaborate with internal counsel in preparation of termination agreements for hotels leaving the system due to default, temporary removal, voluntary or mutual termination. Prepare summary of deal terms and hotel history to organize the various components needed to initiate, run, and conclude FCC meetings. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities –

·  Lead and Review the work of Regional Franchise Licensing Specialists by providing mentoring, technical guidance and/or training in daily activities.
·  Act as liaison with applicant’s and Franchise Development as needed. Ensure all aspects application are complete, and ensure all aspects of licensing execution to include the collection of license agreements and franchise application fees.
·  Receive and review all documents relating to all entities that have an equity interest in the license. Verify all licensing data such as dates, signatures, completion of forms, etc. Send and receive related licensing documents to internal contacts for various forms of approval (Credit, Risk Management, F&B, Franchise Approval Committee, Legal) and follow up to ensure all documents are complete and correct. Enter all franchise license data into Growth, and ensure system is continually updated with the status of licensing changes.
·  Review and approve all 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.
·  Conduct fact-finding research of franchise entities to determine the appropriate contact with binding authority for licensing agreements.
·  Draft addenda to license agreements throughout term of licenses and follow up for completion. Continually update retention system and database to reflect ongoing changes to the hotel/license data.
·  Serve as contact for licensees or representatives of licensees for information relating to the execution of a license agreement. Facilitate smooth progression through the license agreement or revision process.
·  Work with lenders or attorneys to issue and negotiate comfort letters (allowing mortgage holders to acquire a license agreement in the case of franchisee foreclosure or bankruptcy) in connection with loans to licensees. Negotiate language in the comfort letter with lenders and franchisees, making changes to the procedures in place in the comfort letter in order to protect IHG and/or the mortgage company in case a bankruptcy or foreclosure occurs.
What we need from you

Education –

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Business or a related field of work, or an equivalent combination of education and work related experience.

Experience –

·  2 to 5 years progressive work-related experience in legal or franchise administration, 1 to 2 years work-related experience in the Franchise Licensing Specialist position, banking administration, contract administration, or similar, with demonstrated technical proficiency related to the position.

Technical skills and Knowledge –

·  Demonstrated ability to use consultative or persuasive communication skills to effectively resolve compliance and other issues associated with licensing.
·  Demonstrated ability to mentor and train lower-level staff members in departmental processes & procedures.
·  Demonstrated knowledge of PC-based software programs.
·  Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills for the purpose of conveying information to internal and external customers or providing information via written reports or correspondence.
·  Demonstrated strong writing and reading comprehension skills for purposes of drafting, compiling, or interpreting legally binding license agreements and financial letters
·  Demonstrated understanding of contractual agreements and demonstrated ability to administer ongoing contracts or similar detail-oriented projects.
·  Demonstrated attention to detail, time management skills, and organizational skills
·  Demonstrated ability to interpret state regulations for contract compliance and to read and interpret supporting documents (i.e. leases, provisions, license restrictions, credit approvals, guaranty, etc.).
·  Demonstrated knowledge of the license agreement, compliance and supporting documents to review and approve of documents issued and executed by Licensing Specialist
·  Demonstrated ability to work independently
What we offer

We’ll reward all your hard work with a great salary and benefits – including great room discount and superb training.

Join us and you’ll become part of the global IHG family – and like all families, all our individual team members share some winning characteristics. As a team, we work better together – we trust and support each other, we do the right thing and we welcome different perspectives. You need to show us you care, that you notice the little things that make a difference to guests as well as always looking for ways to improve - click here to find out more about us.

IHG is an equal opportunity employer. Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans