Franchise Licensing & Compliance Specialist

Under the supervision of a Lead Manager, manage all administrative tasks related to the lifecycle of franchise license agreements within an assigned territory. Responsibilities include reviewing and processing applications, preparing and executing agreements, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and maintaining accurate records. Serve as the primary contact for franchise applicants and existing franchisees, coordinating with internal teams throughout the process. Issue and execute license agreements and related legal documents, issue compliance documents, and track franchise data to ensure complete and accurate documentation. Maintain and update information in the company's global database (GOLS). Represent the company in licensing matters such as negotiating comfort letters, collecting contract data, and managing fees. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented professional with strong organizational and communication skills who wants to contribute to the growth of IHG's franchise system.

Your day to day

• Act as liaison with the Development team to issue new development, conversion, change of ownership, and relicensing license agreements to applicants.
• Conduct all aspects of the franchise license workflow, including collecting license agreements and franchise application fees.
• Receive and review all documents relating to entities with equity interest in the license; verify licensing data (dates, signatures, forms) and send documents for internal approvals (Credit, Risk Management, Development, Openings, AD&C/PIP, Franchise Approval Committee, Legal). Follow up to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Enter and maintain franchise license data in GOLS (company database), updating status changes and retention records throughout the license term.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies; collaborate with Legal to meet local, state, and federal requirements.
• Conduct background checks and due diligence on potential franchisees.
• Review franchise entity documents to determine binding authority for licensing agreements; work with Development to resolve incomplete data or authority issues.
• Draft and execute addenda, extensions, and special agreements (e.g., Comfort Letters, Master Technology Agreements, Key Money Documents, deceased letters) and collect related fees.
• Serve as primary contact for franchisees regarding license execution, revisions, and compliance questions; foster positive relationships with franchisees and external stakeholders.
• Monitor deadlines and issue notifications for defaults, extensions, terminations, and non-renewals; update database with accurate dates and compliance status.
• Gather data from external sources (e.g., Secretary of State registration) and review organizational documents for equity ownership.
• Support hotels through the opening process, ensuring compliance prior to opening; prepare Openings Advisory Memo and open hotels in GOLS.
• Collect fees and submit Property Improvement Requests for renewals or hotel sales.
• Provide applications and Franchise Disclosure Documents for renewals or ownership changes.
• Process accurate Principal Correspondent records and update as needed.

Under General Supervision of Lead Manager

• Review organizational and legal documents to execute license agreements or addenda and evaluate equity ownership.
• Decide if equity changes constitute a change of ownership under the current license agreement.
• Make decisions on resolutions for hotels in default, track compliance, and issue notifications.
• Interpret legally binding terms and conditions of license agreements to mitigate risk.
• Perform all duties related to franchise licensing and compliance administration, including issuing official documents and assisting with procedure development.

What we need from you

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Business Administration, Legal Studies or a related field of work, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience; and/or
• 1 to 2 years work-related experience in franchise licensing, compliance, banking administration, contract administration, or similar, with demonstrated technical proficiency related to the position.
• Demonstrated knowledge of PC-based software programs.
• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills for the purpose of conveying information to internal and external customers or providing information via written reports or correspondence.
• Demonstrated strong writing and reading comprehension skills for purposes of drafting, compiling, or interpreting legally binding license agreements and financial letters
• Demonstrated understanding of contractual agreements and demonstrated ability to administer ongoing contracts or similar detail-oriented projects.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, time management skills, and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to interpret state regulations for contract compliance and to read and interpret supporting documents (i.e. leases, provisions, license restrictions, credit approvals, guaranty, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize workload in a fast-paced environment
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.

Location - Atlanta, GA; Our hybrid work structure is an expectation of three (3) days a week in office. This expectation may be adjusted to evolve with the changing needs of the business.