Director of Franchise Development

About the role

The Franchise Development Director leads Iron Valley’s franchise growth efforts, focusing on strategic planning, candidate conversion, and franchise award decisions. This role supports national growth goals and works closely with the CEO and leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Lead Iron Valley’s franchise development strategy to support national growth goals.
• Own the full franchise pipeline, from lead generation strategy through signed agreements and transition to onboarding.
• Build and manage relationships with qualified franchise candidates, referral partners, brokers, and industry connections.
• Guide candidates through the discovery process, including brand education, culture conversations, business model discussions, and FDD-related guidance.
• Partner with Marketing to develop franchise recruitment campaigns, messaging, events, and lead generation initiatives.
• Collaborate with Operations and Leadership to ensure new franchisees are set up for a smooth and successful handoff after signing.
• Monitor pipeline activity, conversion metrics, and market opportunities, and provide regular reporting and forecasting to the CEO.
• Evaluate territory opportunities and help prioritize markets for strategic expansion.
• Help build scalable franchise development systems, processes, and standards as Iron Valley continues to grow.
• Ensure all franchise development activities are handled with integrity and in compliance with franchise laws and FDD guidelines.

Requirements

• 8–12+ years of sales, business development, or franchise development experience, with strong preference for franchise sales leadership.
• Experience in franchising, real estate, multi-unit growth, or related expansion-focused industries.
• Proven ability to lead a franchise sales process while also thinking strategically about long-term market growth.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to build trust quickly and represent the brand at a high level.
• Strong consultative selling approach – relationship-driven, thoughtful, and never pushy.
• Experience managing CRM systems, pipeline reporting, forecasting, and conversion metrics.
• High level of professionalism, business judgement, and follow-through.
• Comfortable working independently, collaborating cross-functionally, and operating in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment.

Qualifications

• Alignment with Iron Valley’s values: authenticity, accountability, collaboration, and grit.