Associate Manager Franchise Licensing and Compliance

Hotel Brand:
Location: Mexico, Guadalajara

Hotel: Corp Guadalajara, Ontario #1050, Col., 44630

Job number: 125339



Job Summary –

Assist Department Manager with the management of the department going from solicit and revision of all documentation of deals approved at FAC through fully execution of deals for New Development/Conversion license agreements as well as relicensing and change of ownership license agreements through post-opening and leaving the IHG system. 

Review Addenda and compliance-related documents composed by Specialist and Lead Specialist.

Provide consultation and acts as key contact for franchisees, Regional/Field Consultants and Business Development staff on all issues related to franchising and inquiries relating to license agreements. Review official licensing documents prepared by the licensing specialists for accuracy and legality and interact with franchisees and attorneys to finding ways to resolve licensing issues.

Ensure proper registration of Franchise Agreements with the Intellectual Property authorities in Mexico. Collaborate with internal and external counsels in preparation of termination agreements for hotels leaving the system due to default, temporary removal, voluntary or mutual termination. Confirm certification documents submitted by Notary Public are consistent with external counsel´s requirements. Provide technical guidance and training in daily activities to the Lead Specialist, and Specialist Franchise Licensing positions. Keep countries´ legal particularities spreadsheet properly updated.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities – (Key Activities)

• Review the work of Regional Franchise Licensing Lead Specialist, and Specialist
• Provide technical guidance and/or training to Franchise Licensing Lead Specialist and Specialist in daily activities.
• Provide mentoring to Lead Specialist and Specialist positions in terms of applicable local laws and keep an open dialog on these matters with the Heal of Legal for MLAC
• Coach Lead Specialist and Specialist positions for a proper performance when interacting with applicants and Owners.
• Ensure all aspects of licensing execution are complete and in compliance with local laws (signatures, confirm signees have binding authority, signees´ titles, official IDs, registration of documents with local authorities, etc.).
• Verifies the name of the brand and mark´s registration number included in the Franchise Agreement coincides with info uploaded under the intellectual property site 
• Review all documents are in place in connection with entities that have an equity interest in Franchisee´s ownership.  Send and receive emails and related licensing documents to internal contacts for various forms of approval (Credit, Risk Finance, Franchise Performance Support, Quality, Legal, etc.) and follow up to ensure all documents are complete and correct.  Validate all franchise license data in Gols keeps updated.
• Validate fire files contain ink signed documents of all the executed contractual documents (Agreements, addenda, PIP letters, etc.).
• Review addenda (Assignment of Rights, Brand Change, Realignment, room updates, Principal Correspondent´s update, etc) to franchise agreements prepared by Specialist and Franchise Lead Specialist.
• Draft new addenda or letters as needed and forward them to Legal Department for sign off and do proper translation to local language
• Assist with revision of the Spanish Franchise Application form uploaded to Gols and in coordination with the Director of Owner and Franchise Services solicit updates to the Gols team
• Work with manager, development, and legal to issue and negotiate license terms if needed per deal write up. 
• Review failure, default, and termination letters in connection with licensees not meeting system/license requirements and follow up with Legal for their signoff.
• Generate and Review Expiration Report and follow up with the Development Department to determine which hotels are being retained and which of them will leave the system this to ensure hotels in system have a valid license in place and have Specialist or Lead Specialist issue extension addenda as necessary, and those hotels leaving the system, validate they show in Jenny´s removal spreadsheet.
• Issue expiration letters within time frame per country´s local law
• Confirm we have internal approvals (i.e. FPS Manager, Development, etc) for hotels opening in the system. Review NHOP Advisory Memo.  Open the hotel in GOLS. 
• Manage accurate Secondary Correspondent records and facilitate appropriate process to update as needed. 
• Provide manual Franchise Disclosure Documents while the Gols support team uploads the updated forms for all brands and type of licenses.
• Prepare internal documents to send once a year dead files to external archive and maintain those records.
• Coordinate with MLAC IT team the revision of IT fees under our MLAC Disclosure Documents
• Ensure all MLAC contractual documents are issued in a bilingual form (English/Spanish; English/Portuguese), and make proper translations of any new / revised contractual document 
• Participate in meetings with internal and external stakeholders, as necessary
• Keep FLC MLAC´s internal reports updated (executions; Key Money; GM & DOS; etc.)
• Confirm RL & COO Franchise Agreements contain the most recent Property Improvement Plan 

Education –

            Must be bilingual (English/Spanish), or Trilingual as desirable (Portuguese). 

Master´s or Bachelor´s Degree in Law. Professional Degree Certification. 

More than 5 years progressive work-related experience in legal matters or franchise administration. Recommended experience on Intellectual Property matters.

Technical skills and Knowledge – 

• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills in English, Spanish and Portuguese for the purpose of providing information to external and internal stakeholders
• Must be able to work effectively with external law firms, local notary publics, GMs and Franchisees (Principal Correspondents, Hotel Owners and their attorneys)
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and train lower-level staff members in departmental processes & procedures
• Demonstrate ability to communicate appropriate information, maintain confidentiality and legality of proceedings, and successfully negotiate solutions of disputes to resolutions
• Demonstrate ability to manage relationships with franchisees and hotel owners
• Demonstrate knowledge of rules, laws, and local regulations
• Demonstrate ability to manage, organize and compile large quantities of information in an accurate, timely manner with effective follow-through, attention to detail, maintain confidentiality of information with appropriate parties
• Demonstrate problem solving and time management skills
• Demonstrate advanced working knowledge of personal computers 

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