Director, Franchise Development

Culligan International•Rosemont, IL

2d•$135,000 - $160,000

About The Position

The Director of Franchise Development will support and manage active and new franchise authorizations and development in support of the company’s growth strategy. This role is accountable for overseeing and managing the authorization process from initial contact through contract completion; identifying and sourcing prospective new franchisees, the qualification process, and successfully closing the contracts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
10+ years of experience in franchise management or franchise systems, including franchise agreements, compliance, and dealer relationships.
3+ years of people leadership experience with a demonstrated ability to guide, develop, and support team members.
Strong working knowledge of contracts, with the ability to review and evaluate legal and business terms.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically, assess risk, and balance business objectives with compliance requirements.
Strong relationship‑building and collaboration skills across departments and with external stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders in a fast‑paced, regulated environment.

Nice To Haves

Resourcefulness
Customer Focus
Team Player
Passion
Integrity
Strategic Skills
Goal Setting
Negotiation Skills
Communication

Responsibilities

Provide strategic direction and day‑to‑day leadership for the Franchise Department, with responsibility for franchise administration, agreement management, territory oversight, and ongoing compliance.
Oversee the development, execution, and maintenance of franchise agreements.
Partner with internal and external legal counsel to support regulatory compliance, trademark enforcement, intellectual property matters, and the annual Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) renewal process.
Manage franchise compliance activities, including issuing notices, warnings, and corrective action communications related to billing, collections, and contractual obligations.
Lead the franchise authorization process from initial inquiry through contract execution.
Evaluate and vet prospective franchise candidates by assessing business acumen, financial capability, and alignment with Culligan’s brand, values, and long‑term objectives.
Collaborate cross‑functionally with internal teams to ensure franchise candidates and existing dealers meet brand, operational, and compliance requirements.
Oversee and resolve territory overlap disputes and dealer ownership changes, including account swaps and franchise sales within the dealer network.
Maintain strong working relationships with Regional Sales Managers to support field objectives and assessments.
Develop and sustain relationships with key franchise dealers to promote compliance, engagement, and long‑term success.
Provide direct leadership to the Franchise Administrator and collaborate closely with the Director of Franchise, Canada, to ensure alignment across regions.
Work hand in hand with VP franchise Sales and Business Development on dealer strategy.
Perform other duties as assigned.