Area Director – Franchise Performance

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Iowa.

📋 Description

• Drive the commercial success of a collection of midscale and upper midscale franchised hotels.

• Provide guidance to hotel owners, operators, and management firms utilizing revenue, market, and operational performance metrics.

• Formulate and influence the execution of strategic commercial action plans aimed at enhancing RevPAR, market share, ADR, occupancy, revenue growth, and profitability for owners.

• Conduct on-site consultations, virtual interactions, business reviews, and collaborate across functions.

• Assess market demand, competitive positioning, business mix, pricing strategies, distribution efficiency, and sales performance.

• Analyze trends in performance, pace reports, demand drivers, channel contributions, competitive intelligence, and market dynamics.

• Collaborate with Revenue Management and hotel leadership on pricing, inventory allocation, forecasting, and segment strategies.

• Oversee commercial dashboards, identify risks, and propose corrective measures.

• Coordinate support from teams in Revenue Management, Sales, Marketing, Loyalty, Distribution, Brand, and Operations.

• Enhance participation in proprietary revenue-generating programs and initiatives.

• Convert complex operational and financial data into actionable recommendations.

• Lead regular performance discussions with hotel owners, management firms, and property leadership teams.

• Record commitments, action items, and strategic decisions, ensuring accountability and follow-up.

• Maintain documentation related to consultations, performance plans, owner interactions, and commercial initiatives.

• Support franchise growth and retention efforts and engage in conferences, owner meetings, special projects, and industry events.

• Share market intelligence, best practices, and emerging opportunities with franchisees, colleagues, and corporate stakeholders.

⛳️ Requirements

• Must currently reside in Iowa; relocation assistance is not offered.

• At least fifteen (15) years of progressive experience in the hotel industry with a strong focus on commercial strategy, revenue performance, sales, marketing, revenue management, or multi-property performance enhancement.

• A minimum of ten (10) years of hotel leadership experience, ideally encompassing franchise performance, revenue management, commercial leadership, or multi-unit operational responsibilities.

• Proven track record of enhancing hotel commercial performance, including revenue growth, RevPAR, market share, and profitability for owners.

• Established ability to influence business decisions through analytical insights and strategic consultation.

• Experience in effectively working within a matrix organization and driving outcomes without direct authority.

• Strong analytical, forecasting, and financial skills.

• Familiarity with hotel performance and business intelligence tools, including revenue, financial, market share, and benchmarking platforms.

• Advanced competency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

• Capable of analyzing and interpreting large datasets and translating findings into actionable business recommendations.

• Knowledgeable in hotel revenue management principles, sales activation strategies, distribution channels, marketing performance, loyalty programs, and profitability metrics.

• Exceptional consulting, communication, negotiation, and influencing abilities.

• Strong executive presence with effective communication skills for engaging with hotel owners and senior leadership.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while overseeing a geographically dispersed portfolio.

• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.

• Demonstrated commercial acumen and strategic thinking.

• Ability to navigate uncertainty and adapt priorities in a changing business landscape.

• Commitment to organizational values, integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management, Business Management, Marketing, Finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Regular travel of approximately 70% is required.

• Capability to travel independently throughout the designated territory.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Paid time off for holidays, vacations, personal, family, volunteer, sick days, jury duty, bereavement, military service, and religious observances.

• Financial benefits for retirement and health savings.

• Employee recognition programs.

• Discounts at Choice hotels globally.

• Annual bonus under Choice’s Management Incentive Plan (MIP).