Vice President & Managing Director, EMEA

Confidential; England; Hybrid; GBP 131,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage franchise is seeking a Managing Director & Vice President for the EMEA region to drive the launch and rapid expansion of a franchise-led platform. The role involves overseeing market development, team leadership, and operational excellence while ensuring strong financial management. Candidates should have 15+ years of leadership experience in multi-unit environments, proven franchising success, and strong strategic thinking abilities. This position offers an exciting opportunity to build a long-term regional growth platform.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of leadership experience in multi-unit QSR, hospitality, or retail.
• Significant international franchising experience preferred.
• Proven ability to scale multi-site operations in new markets.

Responsibilities

• Lead EMEA launch and expansion strategy.
• Oversee all regional operations for quality assurance.
• Own P&L responsibility and maximize franchisee ROI.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Financial Acumen

Relationship Building

Analytical Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA

Job description

Managing Director & Vice President, EMEA

(Confidential Search)

Role Overview

We are conducting a confidential search for a Managing Director & Vice President, EMEA to lead the launch and rapid expansion of a high-growth, franchise-led beverage platform across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Reporting to the President of International, this executive will be responsible for entering the region, accelerating growth, and owning overall regional performance.

This role will work closely with franchise partners and global functional leadership to drive new market expansion and sales growth, while ensuring excellence across real estate, marketing, and operations. The successful candidate will balance disciplined execution with entrepreneurial leadership to deliver strong guest experiences, profitable unit economics, and scalable regional growth.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Growth & Market Development

• Lead the EMEA launch and expansion strategy, prioritizing market opportunities and identifying, securing, and developing best-in-class franchise partners.
• Partner with the President of International and global functional leaders to define and execute short- and long-term business strategies.
• Localize a proven brand proposition for each market, including real estate strategy, asset type, menu architecture, communications, operating models, and emerging digital channels.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Attract, hire, develop, and lead high-performing teams across diverse EMEA markets, fostering accountability, collaboration, and results.
• Recruit, develop, and retain top talent while building a strong, values-driven culture where teams thrive and grow with the business.
• Model service-oriented leadership and hospitality values across all markets and interactions.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee all regional operations, including real estate and development, design and construction, supply chain, quality assurance, technology, marketing, guest experience, and frontline employee experience.
• Ensure compliance with global brand standards while meeting local regulatory and market requirements.
• Implement scalable systems and processes that drive efficiency, consistency, and profitability across the EMEA region and broader international footprint.

Financial Management

• Own full P&L responsibility for the EMEA region, including budgeting, forecasting, cost management, and financial performance.
• Identify growth opportunities and implement strategies to maximize unit-level economics and franchisee ROI.Deliver consistent results that meet or exceed financial, operational, and growth targets.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong, trust-based relationships with franchise partners, suppliers, local stakeholders, and regional leadership.
• Act as the primary liaison between the EMEA region and global leadership.
• Represent the brand across multiple audiences—from franchise ownership groups to frontline teams—ensuring alignment, engagement, and momentum.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred.
• Experience: 15+ years of leadership experience within multi‑unit QSR, hospitality, or retail environments; CPG experience is a plus.
• Significant international franchising experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success launching and scaling multi‑site operations and franchise systems in new international markets.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and inspire strong teams and cultures in high‑growth, multi‑country environments.
• Leadership: Inspirational, decisive leader with a strong track record of developing people, teams, and organizational culture.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to identify opportunities and risks, formulate long‑term strategies, and execute nuanced plans across diverse international markets.
• Operational & Functional Depth: Deep understanding of QSR/retail operations with strong working knowledge across marketing, real estate/development, operations, technology, and supply chain/QA.
• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of franchisor and franchisee economics, including P&L ownership, forecasting, ROI, and cost management.
• Cultural Agility: Demonstrated ability to lead effectively across geographies with sensitivity to local customs, regulations, and business practices.
• Relationship Builder: Excellent communication and negotiation skills with the ability to influence and build trust at all levels.
• Analytical & Objective: Data‑driven decision maker with experience leveraging systems and insights to drive business performance.

Location & Travel

• Location: Europe or Middle East–based (key regional hubs preferred).
• Travel: Approximately 30%–50% within the EMEA region, with occasional travel to U.S. headquarters.

Why This Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to lead the end‑to‑end launch and scale of a differentiated, franchise‑led beverage concept across EMEA. The role offers full regional ownership, meaningful P&L responsibility, and the chance to build a long‑term international growth platform from the ground up.

Confidentiality Note

Company details will be shared with selected candidates during the interview process.