Area Director, Franchise Performance – Wisconsin/Minnesota

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Minnesota, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Oversee the commercial performance of a collection of midscale and upper midscale franchised hotels.

• Act as a reliable commercial consultant for hotel owners, operators, and management companies.

• Leverage hotel, portfolio, and market data to pinpoint revenue opportunities and performance enhancement strategies.

• Formulate and drive the implementation of strategic commercial action plans aimed at boosting RevPAR, market share, ADR, occupancy, revenue growth, and owner profitability.

• Carry out property visits, performance assessments, business consultations, and virtual interactions.

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

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

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

• Track commercial dashboards and performance indicators, identify risks, and suggest corrective measures.

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

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

• Simplify complex operational and financial data into actionable insights.

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

• Record commitments, action items, strategic decisions, consultations, and performance plans.

• Provide leadership with insights on revenue performance, ownership engagement, competitive threats, and emerging business risks.

• Maintain precise documentation and submit timely, accurate expense reports.

• Support franchise growth and retention initiatives and engage in franchise associations, conferences, owner meetings, special projects, and organizational initiatives.

⛳️ Requirements

• Applicants must currently reside in either Wisconsin or Minnesota.

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressive experience in the hotel industry with substantial responsibility for commercial strategy, revenue performance, sales, marketing, revenue management, or multi-property performance enhancement.

• At least ten (10) years of hotel leadership experience, preferably including franchise performance, revenue management, commercial leadership, or multi-unit operational oversight.

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

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

• Experience working effectively within a matrixed organization and impacting outcomes without direct authority.

• Strong analytical, forecasting, and financial skills.

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

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and PowerPoint.

• Capability to analyze and interpret large datasets and convert findings into practical business recommendations.

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

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

• Strong executive presence and effective communication skills with hotel owners and senior leaders.

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

• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilities.

• Demonstrated commercial acumen and strategic thinking.

• Ability to navigate ambiguity and adjust 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 experience.

• Willingness to travel independently throughout the designated territory.

• Regular travel of approximately 70% is required.

🏝️ Benefits

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

• Leave and paid time-off for holidays, vacation, personal, family, volunteer, sick, jury duty, bereavement, military, and religious observances.

• Financial benefits for retirement and health savings.

• Employee recognition programs.

• Discounts available at Choice hotels globally.

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

• Work-from-home arrangement with virtual connectivity via Zoom.

• Potential travel requirements depending on the role.