Lead Specialist Franchise Licensing

**About Us**Bringing True Hospitality to the world.We want to welcome you to a world of bringing True Hospitality to everyone.When you join us at IHG®, you become part of our global family.A welcoming culture of warmth, honesty, and a passion for providing True Hospitality.We pride ourselves on letting your personality and passions shine, recognizing the individual contribution you make and supporting your ambition to learn and create your own career path.In making a difference to our guests and owners, colleagues and communities, every day is a chance to create great and unique experiences, in your own way.With over 370,000 colleagues in nearly 100 countries sharing our values, there's countless opportunities at your fingertips.We're growing; grow with us.**Your day to day**Perform contractual administration duties related to the issuance and approval of licensing and compliance for all New Development/Conversion license agreements as well as relicensing and change of ownership license agreements.Issue and fully execute franchise licensing agreements and associated legal documents; Compose all addenda to modify terms of the license agreement; Issue all compliance-related documents to the franchise community; track franchise data and ensure that all contract and file documentation is complete and accurate in order to issue a legally defensible license; Responsible for maintaining and updating almost all information in the company's global database, (GROWTH).Provides consultation and acts as key contact for franchisees on all issues related to franchising and inquiries relating to license agreements.Negotiate comfort letters with franchisees and outside counsel to assist franchisees in obtaining financing.Follow up and collection of contract-related data and collection of fees.Collaborate with internal counsel in preparation of termination agreements for hotels leaving the system due to default, temporary removal, voluntary or mutual termination.Prepare summary of deal terms and hotel history to organize the various components needed to initiate, run, and conclude FCC meetings.Provides guidance, direction and training to the Specialist, Franchise Licensing position.Monitors and provides feedback for a portion of their work.**Essential Duties and Responsibilities -**- Lead and Review the work of Regional Franchise Licensing Specialists by providing mentoring, technical guidance and/or training in daily activities.- Receive and review all documents relating to all entities that have an equity interest in the license.Verify all licensing data such as dates, signatures, completion of forms, etc.- Review and approve all principal franchising documents and correspondence slated for issuance and execution, including license agreements, comfort letters, default letters, termination letters, etc. to ensure compliance with internal and external laws, rules and regulations.- Conduct fact-finding research of franchise entities to determine the appropriate contact with binding authority for licensing agreements.- Draft addenda to license agreements throughout term of licenses and follow up for completion.- Serve as contact for licensees or representatives of licensees for information relating to the execution of a license agreement.- Work with lenders or attorneys to issue and negotiate comfort letters (allowing mortgage holders to acquire a license agreement in the case of franchisee foreclosure or bankruptcy) in connection with loans to licensees.Issue failure, default, and termination letters in connection with licensees not meeting system/license requirements.- Gather and compile appropriate data for the licensure process from external research sources (ex. Look up registration of an entity with Secretary of State's office).- Maintain information entered in company database for hotels and entities in an assigned territory.- Review Expiration Report and issue all courtesy and state required non-renewal notices within the appropriate timeframes.- Communicate with Sales and HPS to send extension letters to existing properties.- Collect fees and submit all Property Improvement Request for the re-licensing of hotels.- Compile, audit and present all key information being reviewed by FCC members for Franchise Compliance Committee meetings.**What we need from you****Education -**Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Business or a related field of work, or an equivalent combination of education and work related experience.**Experience -**2 to 5 years progressive work-related experience in legal or franchise administration, 1 to 2 years work-related experience in the Franchise Licensing Specialist position, banking administration, contract administration, or similar, with demonstrated technical proficiency related to the position.**Technical skills and Knowledge -**- Demonstrated ability to use consultative or persuasive communication skills to effectively resolve