Group Director, Franchise

About the position

Welcome to Whataburger Careers! This position is a tactical and strategic business partner directly responsible for execution and management of overall business plans and goals related to field-level franchise operation services and the ventures program. Leads and supports business franchise partners toward achieving the overall strategic objective of properly administered products and services by developing people and procedures to protect and maintain the Company’s core values across the Whataburger system. Influences their teams to effectively utilize systems that achieve results through and with people. Functions as a corporate link by supporting all internal and external relationships to identify, implement, and sustain consistent improvement in operational effectiveness and customer satisfaction. Total Rewards: Competitive Weekly Pay Bonus Program with 250% Upside Potential Performance for Pay Program – Eligibility to Receive a Pay Increase Once a Year, Based on Performance Opportunities for Career Development and Growth Healthcare and Life Insurance Benefits Paid Time Off - 5 Weeks on Day 1 Flex Weeks - Remote Work Arrangement Paid Corporate Holidays 401(k) Savings Plan with a Competitive Company Match Paid Parental Leave – Subject to Eligibility Requirements Short-Term Disability Long-Term Disability Scholarship Program - You and Your Dependents are Eligible! Whataburger Family Foundation (Hardship Grant Assistance) Discounted Meals For You and a Guest Wireless Service Discounts Computer & Software Discounts Fitness / Gym Discounts Awards and Recognition For All You Do Retirement Celebration Program

Responsibilities

• Initiates and sets the standards around a common vision, realistic expectations, and celebrating successes.
• Ensures franchisees are meeting or exceeding Brand Standard expectations as outlined in the operations manuals.
• Participates in strategic and tactical planning by gaining support from each department as it pertains to the business.
• Plans, develops, evaluates, and implements projects and work efforts to meet operational and organizational goals.
• Serves as a franchise representative on project teams and special teams to study and improve new or existing processes.
• Develops partnerships and relationships with senior management, support teams, and franchise leaders to develop goals and performance plans that will support the financial objectives of the business as well as the Franchisees, Brand Business Consultants, and Franchise Support Managers.
• Partners with Franchise leadership to build, develop, and manage a Franchise Operations team capable of creating and carrying out corporate goals, objectives, and strategies.
• Partners with franchisees to identify new restaurant infrastructure and/or organization development.
• Conducts analyses of business processes & strategies and makes recommendations for their continued improvement.
• Develops and interprets accounting reports and other financial reports and tools.
• Partners with franchisees to operate in accordance with the franchise agreement and other governance.
• Provides thorough review of the franchise disclosure document, franchise agreement, and other legal documents, and ensures all governance is in alignment with the franchise disclosure document and franchise agreements.
• Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or any equivalent combination of educational and work experience required
• 5+ years’ experience, preferably in the restaurant industry, supervising others at various organizational levels, preferably at a regional or higher level
• 9+ years’ experience as project or program director
• 10+ years’ experience as project or program manager of major programs
• Highly developed interpersonal and relationship building skills, with demonstrated ability to promote a team environment and work effectively with all levels of employees
• Demonstrated time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated general knowledge of working practices, procedures, and techniques
• Proven ability to prepare and present ideas and recommendations to colleagues, managers, and direct reports with ample notice and preparation.
• Proficiency in MS Office Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, and Visio (as applicable)
• Proficiency in Workday (as applicable)
• Advanced ability to communicate, influence, and negotiate decisions while motivating staff
• Advanced ability to create and implement given strategic direction
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Expected to work the necessary time to satisfactorily fulfill job responsibilities
• Must be able to report to work timely and as required by operational/business needs
• Must be able to work a full-time schedule and work outside of normal business hours when necessary
• Must be able to travel occasionally both locally and long distances (including air travel), to worksites, meeting sites, and other locations
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, submit to releasing a Motor Vehicle Record that adheres to the Whataburger standards and maintain current automobile liability at minimum levels in their state of residence

Nice-to-haves

• Master’s degree preferred

Benefits

• Competitive Weekly Pay
• Bonus Program with 250% Upside Potential
• Performance for Pay Program – Eligibility to Receive a Pay Increase Once a Year, Based on Performance
• Opportunities for Career Development and Growth
• Healthcare and Life Insurance Benefits
• Paid Time Off - 5 Weeks on Day 1
• Flex Weeks - Remote Work Arrangement
• Paid Corporate Holidays
• 401(k) Savings Plan with a Competitive Company Match
• Paid Parental Leave – Subject to Eligibility Requirements
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Scholarship Program - You and Your Dependents are Eligible!
• Whataburger Family Foundation (Hardship Grant Assistance)
• Discounted Meals For You and a Guest
• Wireless Service Discounts
• Computer & Software Discounts
• Fitness / Gym Discounts
• Awards and Recognition For All You Do
• Retirement Celebration Program