General Manager, International Markets (MEA)

Papa John's International , Inc.; United Arab Emirates; Remote; AED 420,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Papa John’s in the UAE seeks a General Manager, International Markets (MEA) to lead growth, profitability, and brand integrity across the region. You will partner with global and regional teams to shape strategy, strengthen franchise relationships, and drive operational excellence in diverse markets.

You will balance global standards with local market needs, deliver annual plans and forecasts, and foster a high-performance culture focused on sustainable sales, store growth, and customer

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leading multi-market regions.
• Experience shaping growth strategy across multiple markets.
• Strong franchise relationship management and stakeholder collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement long-term growth strategy for the MEA region.
• Drive sustainable sales, store growth, and profitability.
• Lead franchise partnerships and ensure brand standards across markets.
• Foster innovation in digital platforms, loyalty, and delivery channels.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and regional performance analytics.

Job description

What’s Unique About You Is What Makes Us Better! Diversity is our strength and competitive advantage. Bring your flavor to the Papa John's team today!

Job Summary

The General Manager, International Markets (MEA) is the senior leader responsible for driving the sustainable growth, profitability, and long-term success of the Papa Johns business across the MEA region. As a key member of the International Leadership Team, the role partners closely with global and regional stakeholders to define and execute business strategy, strengthen franchise partnerships, and ensure operational excellence across all markets. The role combines strategic leadership with commercial execution, fostering a high-performance culture while delivering sustainable sales, store growth, profitability, and brand consistency. The General Manager will act as both strategist and operational leader, balancing global brand standards with local market needs to achieve long-term commercial success and exceptional franchise partner engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities (other duties as assigned)

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the long-term growth strategy for the MEA region in alignment with global organisational objectives.
• Identify opportunities for revenue growth, market expansion, operational improvement, and enhanced profitability.
• Anticipate market trends, competitive activity, and consumer behaviour shifts to inform strategic decision‑making.
• Establish clear priorities and measurable business objectives for the regional leadership team.
• Lead the delivery of annual operating plans, budgets, forecasts, and strategic initiatives.

Commercial Performance

• Deliver sustainable same-store sales growth, market share expansion, restaurant growth, and profitability across the MEA region.
• Maintain accountability for regional financial performance, including revenue, profit, cost management, and investment decisions.
• Monitor and analyse key performance indicators to ensure performance targets are achieved.
• Drive data-led decision making to improve business outcomes.
• Identify and implement initiatives that improve franchisee economics and overall system profitability.

Franchise Partnership Leadership

• Build and maintain trusted strategic relationships with franchise partners across the region.
• Act as the primary executive sponsor for key franchise relationships.
• Support franchisees in achieving commercial and operational success while maintaining accountability for agreed performance standards.
• Facilitate collaborative planning processes to deliver mutual business objectives.
• Ensure franchise partners understand and execute brand standards, strategic priorities, and operational requirements.
• Ensure consistent delivery of the Papa Johns brand proposition across all MEA markets.
• Balance global brand requirements with cultural relevance and local consumer expectations.
• Protect and strengthen brand standards across product quality, customer experience, operations, marketing, and service delivery.
• Champion customer‑centric thinking across all areas of the organisation.

Innovation and Business Development

• Drive innovation opportunities across digital platforms, loyalty programmes, menu development, packaging, customer experience, and delivery channels.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, market opportunities, and consumer trends that can drive competitive advantage.
• Support market entry, expansion, and development opportunities across existing and new territories.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation throughout the regional organisation.

Everybody loves pizza, which means they also love the people who are behind the scenes working to deliver it. This is complex and challenging work – but let’s face it – it’s also pizza! If you want a fulfilling career with a company that’s always moving forward, we’re the right place.

Papa John’s is a Federal Contract employer who participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility for each new team member. For more information please view the following PDFs: E-Verify Poster (English) - Right to Work Poster (English) - E-Verify Poster (Spanish) - Right to Work Poster (Spanish)

Papa John’s is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. For more information please click on the following PDF. See terms & conditions for site use.

At Papa John’s, we LOVE pizza. It brings people together and brings out the best in all of us. Just like our ingredients and toppings, we combine in unique ways to deliver a truly tantalizing result. Here, you’re a valued team member right from the start. We want you to contribute your best ideas, collaborate and keep building your skills.