Development Manager

EWC Corporate LLC•Plano, TX

19d

About The Position

The Manager, Franchise Development reports to the Director, Franchise Development & Strategy and owns site development execution for assigned markets and franchisees. This role exercises independent judgment in site selection, development prioritization, and franchisee guidance to drive timely, high-quality new center openings aligned with the company’s growth strategy. The Manager partners with Construction, Real Estate, Finance, Legal, Operations, and Training to lead development from franchisee onboarding through lease execution and opening, while supporting portfolio initiatives and strategic development projects that enable disciplined, scalable growth. A Day in the Life Site Selection & Development Leadership Lead site evaluations using market, financial, and operational data to assess viability and brand alignment. Independently recommend sites for approval within parameters; escalate only non-standard risks. Serve as development lead for assigned markets and franchisees through site selection and approval. Own project kickoff, governance, timelines, and accountability for approved sites. Manage the New Center Openings (NCO) pipeline, identifying risks and mitigation plans to keep projects on track. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Lead development coordination across Construction, Real Estate, Finance, Legal, Operations, and Training. Drive alignment among stakeholders to ensure timely execution and clean handoffs. Own development reporting and communication in systems such as FranConnect, translating data into actionable insights. Market Execution & Portfolio Support: Support development territory creation and market optimization initiatives. Provide market and site validation input to internal and external partners. Franchisee Relationship Management: Serve as a trusted advisor to franchisees throughout the development lifecycle. Guide franchisees through site selection, approvals, expectations, and timelines while balancing brand and financial discipline. Build strong relationships with franchisees, brokers, and partners to support efficient execution. Franchise Agreements & Leasing Oversight: Partner with Business Development and Legal to align Franchise Agreements with development timelines. Review LOIs and leases to assess financial, operational, and risk implications. Provide development input into lease negotiations and real estate strategy as needed. Process Ownership & Continuous Improvement: Drive improvement of development processes, tools, reporting, and standards. Identify inefficiencies and implement scalable solutions to support growth and portfolio management.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in franchise development, real estate development, site selection, or related field.
Prior experience within a franchisor organization.
Experience making independent site or development recommendations.
Familiarity with LOIs, leases, financial considerations, and development timelines.
Experience with franchise systems (e.g., FranConnect) or similar CRM / project tools.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams).
Operates with autonomy and sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects while meeting timelines.
Excellent written and verbal communication with executive presence.
Proven ability to influence partners and franchisees without direct authority.
Organized, proactive, and results-oriented.

Responsibilities

Lead site evaluations using market, financial, and operational data to assess viability and brand alignment.
Independently recommend sites for approval within parameters; escalate only non-standard risks.
Serve as development lead for assigned markets and franchisees through site selection and approval.
Own project kickoff, governance, timelines, and accountability for approved sites.
Manage the New Center Openings (NCO) pipeline, identifying risks and mitigation plans to keep projects on track.
Lead development coordination across Construction, Real Estate, Finance, Legal, Operations, and Training.
Drive alignment among stakeholders to ensure timely execution and clean handoffs.
Own development reporting and communication in systems such as FranConnect, translating data into actionable insights.
Support development territory creation and market optimization initiatives.
Provide market and site validation input to internal and external partners.
Serve as a trusted advisor to franchisees throughout the development lifecycle.
Guide franchisees through site selection, approvals, expectations, and timelines while balancing brand and financial discipline.
Build strong relationships with franchisees, brokers, and partners to support efficient execution.
Partner with Business Development and Legal to align Franchise Agreements with development timelines.
Review LOIs and leases to assess financial, operational, and risk implications.
Provide development input into lease negotiations and real estate strategy as needed.
Drive improvement of development processes, tools, reporting, and standards.
Identify inefficiencies and implement scalable solutions to support growth and portfolio management.