Contract Specialist

In the hospitality industry, people matter.

That's why here at Choice we're always looking for exceptional people - people who will challenge us, make our team stronger, smarter and more complete. People who know how to roll up their sleeves and tackle the job at hand; who go the extra mile to get the job done - and done well.

At Choice we are looking for employees to connect the world through the power of hospitality - and we offer support, training and a collaborative workplace atmosphere that makes us a great place to bring together people, brands, and technology that enable success.

Who are we looking for? Maybe it's you.

The Role…

Choice is looking to hire a Franchise Contract Specialist to support Choice's unit growth objectives by providing day-to-day support to the Franchise Development team. Our Specialist will support the company's development goals by drafting accurate franchise agreements based on negotiations with prospective franchisees, revising agreements as each deal progresses, and ensuring legal compliance with Choice policies and state and federal laws. The Specialist will work closely with several Choice business partners to capture developing deal points, obtain approvals and manage executions in a timely manner.

What you will do…

• Franchise Application Management:
• Manage application files for a specific Franchise Development region based on geographic location and hotel brand
• Manage the creation and revision of franchise agreements with related deal-specific documents to accurately reflect ownership and hotel data. Review application file provided by Sales Support Specialist to process correct information into franchise agreements. Determine accurate contractual language to insert for approved requests
• Independently prioritize daily activities based on department deadlines and federal laws, monthly deadlines for sending franchise agreements, revising contracts and completing reviews for execution. Adherence to state and federal franchise requirements is legally crucial
• Work within Contract Admin and Legal department policies and guidelines, including the current Approval Authority Grid

• Collaborate with Franchise Sales Applications/Sales Support, Director of Franchise Sales (DFS), Director of Relicensing, Credit, Owner Portfolio Strategy Operations, Fair Franchising, Franchise Services, Openings, Billing and Legal Compliance departments to resolve issues related to franchise agreements and other legal documents

• Contract Processing and Revision Management:
• Manage and track progress of franchise file from Sales Support Specialist to contract execution
• Monitor Franchise Committee approvals through PeopleSoft electronic workflow process to ensure full approval before submitting for execution
• Deposit affiliation fee checks in accordance with The Franchise Rule requirements. Ensure that FDD receipt is collected in file before releasing checks to Choice account
• Monitor and track 25-40 franchise agreement transactions per month to ensure timely, accurate and complete contract executions
• Manage DFS requests for contract revisions after initial franchise documents are issued. Determine and obtain necessary approvals
• Work independently on daily basis with various business departments to identify deal flow obstacles and solve for best results. Follow up with Development team, applicant and internal stakeholders to drive resolutions on a timely basis
• Receive signed franchise agreements and review files for outstanding diligence, seek additional approvals for any further changes, and ensure file is accurate from both legal and business perspectives before requesting execution

• Upon agreement execution, prepare a checklist and route file for data entry into PeopleSoft

• Executed Contract Management:
• Manage Comfort letter process for all franchisees
• Collect requests from franchisee or lender, prepare and issues document between Choice, franchisee and lender, conduct good standing review of franchisee and communicate any outstanding issues with franchisee
• Manage timely execution of comfort letter with respect to franchisee's loan closing date. Communicate with lender and lender's attorney(s) about revision requests to comfort letter
• Support department with annual preparation and filing of Franchise Disclosure Documents in the first quarter
• Support Supervisor, Contract Support, by creating and issuing changes to existing franchise agreement terms (contract addenda)

What you should have…

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum of 2-4 years' work experience in a business-related discipline
• Proficiency in core competencies (attention to detail, good communications skills, ability to multi-task, etc.) required for this position
• Experience with contracts and/or working with a diverse, field-based team to understand unique business needs highly preferred
• Ability to work autonomously and exercise sound business judgment
• Ability to work as a member of a team and provide back-up for other colleagues
• Strong familiarity with MS Office applications as well as comfort working with proprietary databases and new technology
• A strong work ethic and ability to operate with a sense of urgency
• Ability to influence above peer level to align interests of all stakeholders in the contract administration process
• Flexibility to work extended hours during peak periods
• Must be able to uphold Choice's Values & Performance Principles of collaboration, performance excellence, sense of urgency, openness to new ideas, inclusion & diversity, integrity, customer focus, and respect

Must be able to uphold Choice's Values & Performance Principles of accountability, collaboration, performance excellence, sense of urgency, innovation, inclusion & diversity, integrity & trust, customer focus, and respect.