Senior Growth Manager, Global Development

Papa John's International , Inc.; Louisville, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Papa John's International, Inc. in Louisville, KY seeks a Senior Growth Manager, Global Development to drive growth initiatives for new unit development and strategic formats across the U.S. and international markets.

You will partner with franchisees and regional teams, build scalable development tools, and advance growth platforms while managing multiple projects and executive communications. Travel up to 25% domestically and internationally is required.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of QSR and franchising with exposure to operations, technology and development issues
• Financial and business acumen, including business case and investment analysis
• Growth mindset: identify opportunities, assess feasibility, align stakeholders, drive execution
• Development strategy, market expansion, and new channel evaluation
• Market research and analytical skills, translate insights into actionable recommendations
• Planning, organization, and prioritization of multiple initiatives and projects
• Strong communication, presentation, and storytelling skills
• Problem solving; apply structured thinking and sound judgment to complex business challenges
• Process improvement mindset with focus on scalability, efficiency, and continuous improvement
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, evolving environment and adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to influence and build alignment across franchisees, cross-functional partners, and senior leadership
• Ability to work across functions and geographies while advancing strategic initiatives
• Relationship-building with franchisees, developers, brokers, landlords, and internal stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Support development channels and growth platforms, including non-traditional venues
• Support openings, market entry and franchise growth through research, planning and execution
• Develop business cases and drive strategic development projects
• Partner with regional teams and franchisees to improve growth performance
• Create and implement development tools, playbooks, templates, and best practices
• Conduct competitive research to identify new development opportunities
• Evaluate new restaurant formats and prototype enhancements
• Build relationships with franchisees, landlords, brokers, developers and internal stakeholders
• Monitor performance against annual growth goals and propose improvements
• Support development communications, presentations, and executive storytelling

Skills

Franchising knowledge

Business case analysis

Market expansion

Stakeholder alignment

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/finance/real estate

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior Growth Manager, Global Development is responsible for supporting the execution of Papa Johns' global development strategy across the U.S. and international markets. This role drives growth initiatives that accelerate net new restaurant development, fleet optimization, joint capital planning, and improved global development processes across the system. Key areas of focus include supporting new restaurant openings and advancing new growth platforms such as non-traditional formats.

This role partners closely with development leaders, regional operations teams, franchisees, and cross-functional stakeholders to evaluate opportunities, develop business cases, strengthen development processes, and support market expansion efforts. The Senior Growth Manager will lead development projects, create scalable tools and playbooks, provide support to new and existing markets, and help build best-in-class global development practices that drive sustainable unit growth globally.

Duties and Responsibilities (other duties as assigned)

• Support and advance development channels and growth platforms, including non-traditional venues, stadiums, airports, retail partnerships, travel centers, and emerging formats.

• Support new restaurant openings, market entry, market expansion, and franchise growth initiatives through research, planning, and execution with cross-functional teams.

• Develop business cases and drive strategic development projects for new opportunities and secure alignment from key cross-functional stakeholders.

• Partner with regional operations teams and franchisees to mitigate barriers to growth and implement solutions that improve development performance.

• Create and implement development tools, playbooks, templates, and best practices to support global development team.

• Conduct competitive research to identify new development opportunities.

• Assist with the evaluation and implementation of new restaurant formats, prototype enhancements, and alternative development models that support growth objectives.

• Build strong relationships with franchisees, landlords, brokers, developers, and internal stakeholders to support development objectives.

• Monitor performance against annual growth goals and recommend actions to improve results.

• Support development communications, presentations, and executive-level storytelling for franchisees and senior leadership.

Education, Experience & Certifications

• 7+ years of experience in restaurant, retail, franchising, real estate, and/or development

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance or real estate preferred.

• Ability to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.

• Experience supporting development and franchise operations in a QSR company preferred.

• Experience supporting growth opportunities and development projects preferred.

Functional Skills

• Strong knowledge of QSR and franchising with exposure to operations, technology and development issues

• Financial and business acumen, including business case and investment analysis

• Growth mindset: ability to identify opportunities, assess feasibility, align stakeholders, and drive execution

• Development strategy, market expansion, and new channel evaluation

• Market research and analytical skills, with the ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations

• Planning, organization, and prioritization of multiple initiatives and projects

• Strong communication, presentation, and storytelling skills

• Problem solving; ability to apply structured thinking and sound judgment to complex business challenges

• Process improvement mindset with a focus on scalability, efficiency, and continuous improvement

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment and adapt to changing priorities

• Ability to influence and build alignment across franchisees, cross-functional partners, and senior leadership

• Ability to work collaboratively across functions and geographies while successfully advancing strategic initiatives

• Relationship-building skills with franchisees, developers, brokers, landlords, and internal stakeholders

Our Values

• EVERYONE BELONGS – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Teamwork

• DO THE RIGHT THING – Integrity, Character and Community

• PEOPLE FIRST – Customer and Team member Focus

• INNOVATE TO WIN – Think Differently and Lead Change

• HAVE FUN – It’s Pizza, It Has To Be Fun!

Our Core Competencies

• CUSTOMER FOCUSED - Put the customer’s needs first

• RESULTS DRIVEN – Commit to achieving objectives

• INNOVATIVE MINDSET – Open to new ideas and ways of doing business

• STRATEGIC THOUGHT LEADERSHIP – Engage in logical and systematic thinking

• COLLABORATION – Work together in the most effective way

Papa Johns is an equal opportunity employer.

Papa Johns is a federal contractor that participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility for each new team member. We also comply with all Right to Work requirements. Official E-Verify and Right to Work notices are available for applicants to review in both English and Spanish.