Vice President- International Development

International Dairy Queen•Bloomington, MN

1d•Remote

About The Position

This role is open to remote within the United States with travel up to 70%. The VP of International Development owns the international development mandate across new market entry and expansion in existing markets. This role sources and diligences brand partners, negotiates development agreements, and drives disciplined market development strategy and planning to ensure growth at franchisees level. The role also leads the end-to-end development process in partnership with internal teams and franchisees, including market planning, site approvals, design, remodels for existing markets, and first store openings in new markets.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent education and experience in lieu of degree.
12+ years of senior level experience in international restaurant franchising, including development, franchise finance, and transactions such as M&A.
Strong communication skills, written and verbal, with the ability to influence franchisees and senior stakeholders.
Strong analytical capability, including ability to build and review business plans and financial models tied to returns and capital plans.
Strong sales, negotiation, and deal making skills, with an established international network in franchising.
Cross cultural fluency and international savvy.
Strong organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple parallel workstreams under deadlines.
Ability to work independently and drive outcomes without heavy oversight.
Ability to collaborate across a matrixed organization and coordinate cross functional work to completion.
Working knowledge of FCPA and Sarbanes Oxley expectations.
Frequent travel, up to 70%, sometimes short notice.
Ability to obtain a passport and visas as required.
Ability to work evenings and occasional weekends to meet deadlines and communicate with international stakeholders across time zones.
Frequent communication via telephone and email, including outside standard hours due to international time zones.
Ability to travel by airplane on flights up to 16 hours long, and to conduct market site visits as needed.
You must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Master’s preferred in Business, Finance, or Commerce.
QSR or fast casual experience preferred, ideally across multiple global concepts at scale.
Domestic franchising experience is helpful.
Experience in finance, banking, legal, or transactional work is helpful.
Experience working or living internationally is helpful.
Second or third language capability preferred.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain a prioritized pipeline of target markets, contiguous markets, and expansion priorities in existing markets.
Develop market entry strategies and multiyear development roadmaps, including format strategy by location type, asset type, and site configuration.
Monitor external conditions that impact development decisions, including macroeconomic conditions, foreign exchange implications, trade barriers, and real estate market dynamics.
Identify, source, and qualify new brand partners for international growth.
Lead partner diligence across operational capability and financial capacity to fund initial and ongoing development.
Prepare and present new franchisee applications and partner recommendations to the Executive Review Committee.
Build and maintain relationships with banks, real estate brokerages, third party brokers, and relevant industry associations to represent the brand and expand the partner pipeline.
Direct company participation in international franchise expos, including development of sales materials and collateral, and hands on participation as needed by geography.
Lead negotiation of development agreements with new and existing partners, aligning obligations to market potential and partner capability.
Ensure existing franchisees meet or exceed development obligations, and drive actions when commitments drift.
Partner with the ADQ Legal department to ensure development and legal processes are followed, and that local registration and compliance obligations are met.
Lead the international development process across site selection and approval, closure approval, renewals, and franchisee approvals, consistent with company process.
Lead design, real estate and site selection, and construction enablement for international franchisees, in partnership with internal stakeholders and franchisees.
Direct leadership of project management for first sites in new markets, including opening readiness and coordination across functions and the franchisee.
Coordinate site selection work, including in market site visits when required, and preparation of site approval reviews supported by analysis and market conditions.
Lead the international development finance scope, assessing franchisee financial health, capital structures, and growth readiness.
Partner with new franchisees to build business plans and capital and financial models, and to align development pace to returns and funding realities.
Lead transactional work tied to development outcomes, including acquisitions, divestitures, investments, and workouts, coordinating with internal partners as required.
Assist with collection of area and store fees across international markets, working with internal partners as appropriate.
Coordinate effectively with internal departments to deliver outcomes on time, including Concept Development, Marketing, Supply Chain, R and D, and Legal.
Special projects as assigned.