Expansion/ Business Development Manager - Retail sector

As an Expansion/ Business Development Manager, reporting to the Country Manager, your main responsibilities are (Scope Flanders):

Contribution to the brand's development strategy

• Understand the development objectives defined by General Management
• Analyse the catchment area potential of prospective franchisees based on market evaluation, competition, the brand's commercial positioning, and territorial coverage objectives
• Prepare a projected pipeline of new prospects over 3, 6 and 12 months
• Monitor key development indicators related to prospects

Real estate expansion

• Identify and select strategic retail locations (city centres, shopping centres, business districts)
• Lead negotiations for commercial leases
• Support future franchisees in:
  * signing leases or acquisition deeds
  * preparing financing applications for banks
• Facilitate connections with construction or fit-out contractors for store development
• Oversee expansion or relocation projects of existing stores, ensuring alignment with the brand's performance targets
• Ensure that all development projects comply with the brand's economic and commercial standards

Prospecting and candidate selection

• Source and attract franchise candidates (via recruitment tools allowing multi-posting across partner job boards, specialist media, trade fairs, social media, and active field prospecting)
• Review applications based on the profiles and criteria defined within the brand's development policy
• Meet shortlisted candidates to present the brand (concept, corporate culture, franchise agreements, commercial strategy, etc.)
• Assess motivation and validate suitability based on the brand's criteria (management and sales skills, professional experience, optician qualification, etc.)
• Validate or contribute to the validation of applications in collaboration with hierarchy

Franchise project structuring (for communication with the Franchisor only)

• Commission preliminary socio-economic studies either internally or via external providers (catchment potential, competition analysis, etc.)
• Prepare all documents required for financing applications with banks
• Approve the candidate's project or submit it for economic and financial validation to the approval committee based on feasibility studies and preliminary documentation

Supporting the future franchisee throughout the project

• Assist the future franchisee during the signing of property deeds or commercial leases and during bank financing applications
• Provide ongoing support throughout fit-out works (ensuring quotes and timelines are met), initial orders, and launch marketing campaigns
• Support the franchisee all the way through to the store opening