Executive Head New Business

Boardroom Appointments; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food franchise industry is seeking an Executive Head for New Business. This role involves strategic planning for market expansion, managing lease agreements, and ensuring compliance with legal standards. Candidates should possess strong business management and legal expertise, demonstrating the ability to lead a team effectively while pursuing aggressive growth objectives.

Qualifications

• Matric exemption required.
• Degree in Law preferred.
• Basic understanding of commercial law beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Manage new store growth and strategic market plan.
• Oversee lease agreements and negotiations with landlords.
• Develop compliance frameworks and promote standards.

Skills

Knowledge of business operations

Contract drafting

Negotiation skills

Education

Diploma / Degree in Business Management

Degree in Law

Job description

About the job Executive Head New Business

Executive Head New Business

Qualifications:

• Matric exemption
• Diploma / Degree in Business Management (knowledge of how a business operates)
• Degree in Law (preferable)
• Basic understanding of contract drafting & commercial law (beneficial)
• Foster the Team approach to Development within South Africa, Africa, and Internationally
• Develop, maintain, and execute a comprehensive, strategic market plan for a defined territory and manage aggressive new store growth goals
• Manage a defined territory, maintaining strong market knowledge and understanding of coverage gaps, opportunities, trends, projected home/work/shop growth, competition, and other factors influencing real estate decisions
• Manage a team of Area Real Estate Managers to identify potential sites for new restaurant development
• Manage the Projects and Design teams in line with The Company Brand CI and brand equity
• Vision Planning: Gather and analyze information on the potential of the market and each restaurant in the assigned geographical area
• Assist with presentation of site packages to management for approval
• Coordinate the presentation of development opportunities to Operators or strategic Partners

Manage Lease Agreements:

• Oversee and manage the legal team in selecting suitable sites for franchisers, including conducting feasibility studies
• Oversee engagements with potential and current landlords
• Ensure the legal department develops a checklist for requirements to be met in entering lease agreements
• Develop a process outlining roles of different departments in the lease agreement process (e.g., franchise/manufacturing, finance, legal), including lease extensions or relocations
• Provide monthly reports on leasing and insurance expenses related to company properties and assets
• Remedy contractual breaches in relation to leases and terminate agreements as necessary
• Lead discussions/engagements in franchise/landlord disputes, as requested by Exco or the CEO
• Store lease agreements on The Company's online portal and provide access to internal stakeholders

Manage Negotiations and Relations with Stakeholders:

• Oversee negotiations with franchises that are for sale or closed down through the legal department
• Ensure the legal department develops a checklist for the sale process
• Oversee negotiations related to external stakeholder processes
• Ensure the legal department facilitates the payment of joining fees and other required fees into The Companys accounts
• Ensure the legal department collates all documents/statements handed over by franchisers/landlords
• Ensure the legal department engages with creditors and/or debtors accordingly
• Ensure franchisers undergo The Company training
• Develop processes and oversee negotiations related to recouping outstanding fees from landlords
• Initiate the legal recovery process for fees (including debt collection services)
• Report on debt related to franchisers/landlords and recovery rates

Manage Compliance Standards:

• Develop a compliance framework, recommending procedures for operations (lease agreements, contracts, etc.)
• Develop a process for monitoring compliance levels in The Company (adherence to legal processes)
• Promote compliance standards through training within The Company
• Report compliance levels and achievements to Exco/auditors
• Continuously improve compliance processes and standards

Projects:

• Develop and execute the property expansion strategy in alignment with organizational goals, managing property acquisition and development of new franchise locations
• Lead the end-to-end process of new franchise openings, from property selection to successful launch, ensuring all regulatory and safety requirements are met
• Design and oversee property developments maintaining high customer safety standards while promoting cost efficiency
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders
• Drive cost efficiencies in property development and maintenance to support competitive startup costs and franchise development
• Oversee project timelines and risk management to ensure successful franchise openings and grade expansions
• Oversee all legal projects, including vetting information and plans related to relocation, approvals, and negotiations
• Provide updates to the Senior/Exco team on legal projects in progress
• Appoint resources for projects in alignment with operational requirements and budget
• Meet objectives and timelines related to projects
• Flag projects at risk of missing approved timelines and indicate reasons for delays