Program Director - The Franchise Ascension Initiative (FAI)

Job Opening: Program Director - The Franchise Ascension Initiative (FAI)

An initiative of the International Franchise Association and the IFA Foundation The Franchise Ascension Initiative (FAI) is a 6-month program aimed at preparing qualified individuals from underrepresented communities with the education, mentorship, resources, and support to successfully launch a career in franchise ownership.

Position Summary

The Program Director will coordinate the development, launch, and operation of the FAI, a project to help selected members of disadvantaged communities generate upward mobility and create generational wealth through opening and operating a franchise business. This is a highly visible role within a new and exciting initiative at the IFA Foundation. The Franchise Ascension Initiative is in early-stage development and the Program Director will be required to be both a visionary collaborator and strong executor with an ability to drive towards deadlines, milestones and KPIs, while managing a diverse group of stakeholders.

Reporting Relationship

The position reports to IFA’s Chief Operating Officer

Program Summary

The Franchise Ascension Initiative will select high-potential candidates to participate in a six-month training program offering classroom instruction (primarily via video) and practical guidance (through case studies and mentorship) in the basics of operating a franchise. The program will then give graduating participants opportunities to connect with funding sources and other supporting vendors, identify attractive franchise brands, and interview with and mutually select a franchise system in which to open and operate. 

Position Description

The selected individual will manage the development, launch, and operation of The Franchise Ascension Institute, coordinating the involvement and input of multiple IFA staff members, IFA volunteer leaders, and external educators, vendors, and consultants. He/she will be responsible for delivering a successful program on time and on budget and in a manner which reflects the values of the IFA and its members. Key functions will include:

• Responsible for all aspects of the program’s success and outcomes including: fundraising efforts, program creation and execution, and donor, volunteer and participation management - from concept to success as defined by program KPIs. Role will require intense cross collaboration of various stakeholders to ensure success, but ultimate responsibility for the overall success will reside with this role.
• Finalizing the business plan and budget, then operating the program within that scope
• Coordinating fundraising, including taking direct responsibility for successfully soliciting 25+ small donors (under $5,000/year), supporting senior IFA staff in soliciting larger donors, and reporting all pledges made and contributions received
• Strategic focus on large grants and funding via foundations, corporate donors, government and other institutions which support the program mission, including identifying prospects, grant and application writing, and securing funding for program support
• In collaboration with the IFA staff, create and design the program requirements, including application, criteria, education, mentorship, case study, sponsorship and participant engagement, and all other components of the program
• Facilitating the IFA education staff and external partners in developing the program structure and curriculum, then overseeing the actual delivery of the program (video coursework, in-person sessions, Pitch Day, etc.)
• Creating the criteria for mentors and participants in collaboration with IFA senior staff and other leaders, then responsible for pipeline of recruitment, and screening of volunteer mentors to support program participants, as well as overseeing involvement and their efforts
• Leading the recruitment and selection of program participants
• Soliciting, identifying, and supporting franchisors that want to recruit program graduates as franchisees, and orchestrating their involvement in Pitch Day and related activity
• Coordinating the marketing of the FAI project, promoting it effectively to all stakeholders including government and public audiences, participants, mentors and donors
• Developing routine communications to donors, volunteers, and program participants, and coordinating periodic development of major presentation materials, including quarterly updates and annual impact report for all program donors
• Representing the program effectively in all interactions, internal and external
• Follow up with participants following program completion to ensure support initiatives
• Successfully pilot a program concept with the goal of launch and scale in subsequent phases. Ability to create a sustainable program with measurable outcomes will define success in this role
• Performing other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Applicants must have the ability to prioritize multiple and sometimes competing priorities and communicate those deliverables effectively, to stay focused on the key priorities and to manage and execute with a strong sense of urgency
• Applicants should be versed in both early-stage program development as well as the growth cycle of the program with proven ability to take a program from concept to execution, and to scale successfully. The ability to create a sustainable program with measurable outcomes will define success in this role.
• Applicants should have extensive successful experience in actively coordinating complex projects with multiple and diverse participants. This is a hands-on position, not an executive oversight role, so applicants should be prepared to do the detailed day-to-day work of coordinating multiple inputs and personally producing real deliverables. 
• Applicants should have a proven ability to produce results from an interdepartmental team that he/she does not officially supervise; in other words, he/she should be able to get good results from people without being able to simply issue them orders as their direct boss.  
• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong writing and presentation skills are essential. Prior experience in some aspect of franchising is highly desirable, and a university degree is strongly preferred. 
• Applicants must have the ability to pilot a program concept with the goal of launch and scale in subsequent phases. Ability to create a sustainable program with measurable outcomes will define success in this role.

Additional details

This is a full-time position, that can either be performed remotely or from the IFA office in Washington, DC. Periodic travel throughout the U.S. will be required. The incumbent will be expected to model the values of the IFA.  

Please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected]

The International Franchise Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination. IFA is firmly committed to achieving an inclusive, diverse workforce that values every individual. We firmly believe that hiring individuals with varying perspectives and backgrounds contributes to our success as an organization, and we strive to create an environment that fosters inclusiveness. 

About the International Franchise Association: 

Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 790,492 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.4 million direct jobs, $825.4 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.