Manager, Franchise Administration

Magnolia Bakery opened our first location on a quiet street corner in the heart of New York City’s West Village in 1996. From then to now, Magnolia Bakery has grown to become a globally famous, locally loved retail bakery and desserts brand. With locations in New York City, LA and Chicago, a nationwide e-commerce and wholesale business, international locations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and an emerging Grocery business in the US, Magnolia Bakery's whimsical spin on classic, American desserts is now in every neighborhood.

JOB TITLE: Manager, Franchise Administration

POSITION SUMMARY: Manager, Franchise Administration at Magnolia Bakery will be responsible for overseeing and managing the full lifecycle of franchise projects from initial planning through completion. Additionally, this role will be responsible for the management plus implementation of the administrative functions associated with Magnolia Bakery’s franchise program to include franchise administration systems design and management, procedural and legal documentation, scheduling, reporting, and other duties as needed. This role is pivotal in ensuring that new franchise locations are launched successfully and in alignment with Magnolia Bakery’s brand standards, operational guidelines and comply with existing agreements. The Manager, Franchise Administration will coordinate with cross-functional teams, including sales / development, real estate, operations, marketing, finance, and legal, to ensure smooth project delivery and timely execution of all deliverables.

REPORTS TO: VP of Domestic Franchise Development and Sales

COMPENSATION: $78,400-$129,000 plus 5% annual bonus eligibility

LOCATION: Remote or Hybrid. Candidates local to the NYC area strongly preferred.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES:  

Administrative

• Manage all franchisee administrative functions involved in Magnolia Bakery’s franchise program.
• Coordinate updates of the Franchise Department Operations Manual (FDOM) with all department heads.
• Coordinate committee meetings (ie. “Franchise Approval”, “Site Selection”, etc.)
• Route approval packages for either electronic or in-person approvals.
• Schedule meetings, provide reports, collect/assemble information packages as needed for the VP of Domestic Franchise Development and Sales.
• Management of FranConnect including upgrades, revisions, and training to various cross-functional teams.
• Manage the file maintenance of all individual franchisees, franchise entity and/or store information, communication, and documents in FranConnect including, but not limited to, the Franchise Agreement, ADA, Leases, transfers, defaults, terminations or other as required.
• Manage the contract obligations including compliance with the development schedule of ADA.
• Work collaboratively with the VP of Domestic Franchise Development and Sales plus legal to provide yearly FDD updates and help manage the renewal effective dates across the different registration states.
• Manage the transfer of franchisee onboarding process to include orientation meetings
  (ie. “Meet the Team”, “Market Plan Review”, “FranConnect Training”, etc.)
• Manage other administrative, contract management needs involving the Magnolia Bakery franchise program.
• Ability to identify, create and manage electronic systems, tools, and reports.

Planning & Execution 

• Manage the planning and execution of franchise development projects, from market analysis and site selection to store opening and post-launch support.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners (eg. franchisees, contractors, consultants) to ensure alignment of project goals, timelines, and budgets.
• Facilitate the approval process for new franchise sites, coordinating between franchisees and relevant departments.
• Monitor project milestones, budgets, and timelines, identify, and address any potential issues to keep the project on track.
• Provide regular project status updates to senior leadership, highlighting key developments, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and franchising agreements in each market.
• Lead project post-mortems and propose improvements for future franchise openings.

Qualifications 

• 5+ years of experience in franchise administration and project management.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, Project Management, or a related field.
• Experience with FranConnect required.
• Strong understanding of franchise business models and operational procedures.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.
• International project management experience is a plus as there will be some shared services and functions with Magnolia Bakery’s international franchise department.

Skills & Core Competencies: 

Organizational skills: Ability to juggle multiple tasks and keep detailed records. 

Problem-solving: Quick thinker with the ability to resolve challenges that arise in a fast-paced environment. 

Collaboration: Works well with various departments and external stakeholders to achieve project goals. 

Attention to detail: Ensures that all aspects of franchise openings meet Magnolia Bakery’s high standards. 

Cultural awareness: Adaptability to work with franchisees in different markets. 

Magnolia Bakery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Requires grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, listening and hearing ability and visual acuity.
• Talking and hearing occur continuously in the process of communicating with guests, coworkers, and management.
• Vision occurs continuously with the most common visual functions being those of near vision and depth perception.
• Requires manual dexterity to use and operate all necessary equipment.
• Domestic travel required.