Overview
The Director of International Market Development (New & Existing Markets) is responsible for originating, qualifying, and securing high-quality international franchise and development opportunities. This leader is responsible to build and manage a robust global pipeline of prospective partners, focusing on both new market entries and existing market opportunities in existing markets. This role helps to drive long-range international development goals, ensuring that new partners meet the operational, financial, and gold standards required to deliver sustainable PSA performance, profitable net openings, and long-term comp sales growth.
Responsibilities
* Lead Generation & Partner Origination
o Generate a high-quality pipeline of international franchise prospects across markets
o Leverage an established global network of franchise operators, multi-unit restaurant groups, institutional investors, and strategic partners.
o Identify and cultivate relationships with prospective partners who demonstrate strong QSR operational capability, financial strength, and long-term growth potential.
* Partner Qualification & Deal Progression
o Conduct structured due diligence on prospective franchisees, including operational experience, capital readiness, organizational capabilities, and alignment with brand principles.
o Manage all early-stage conversations and progress qualified prospects through the development funnel.
o Collaborate closely with internal experts in Development Agreements, Market Mapping, and regional leadership (MEA, APAC, LATAM, UKE) to ensure alignment and deal readiness.
* Cross-Functional Collaboration
o Bring the right internal stakeholders into the process at the appropriate moments, including Supply Chain, R&D, Marketing, Technology, and Operations.
o Ensure internal alignment and market readiness to support successful new market entries and existing market development.
o Partner with Business Development to ensure consistency of standards, partner selection, and strategic fit.
* Strategic Planning & Market Development
o Create and maintain internal executive one pagers with financial proposals, partner and partner profiles that inform decision-making.
o Develop proactive plans (e.g., communication plans, conferences) to generate new leads across priority markets and white-space geographies.
o Contribute directly to the long-range international development plan by identifying and securing partners capable of meeting growth targets.
* Communication & Leadership
o Deliver clear, concise updates to senior leadership on pipeline progress, partner quality, and market opportunities.
o Represent the brand with professionalism, strategic insight, and commercial rigor in all external interactions.
o Take initiative in designing new approaches, tools, and processes that enhance lead generation and partnership conversion.
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