Area Director, Franchise ; Ohio

JOB SUMMARY

The Area Director, Franchise Performance for Core Brands is responsible for driving performance across a diverse portfolio of midscale and upper-midscale franchised hotels. Operating independently and in collaboration with the Regional Vice President, this role serves as a strategic advisor to hotel owners and above-property leaders, activating performance-driven strategies that improve profitability, revenue, guest experience, operational execution, and program adoption. The Area Director provides consultative support and performance insights;

develops solutions using internal and external data; partners with commercial and operational teams; and ensures execution of recommendations at the property level. This role requires strong relationship management, analytical decision-making, and the ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority.

Note:

Applicants must reside in the Cleveland or Greater Cleveland, Ohio region to be considered for this position.

Performance Management & Strategic Advisory

Conduct on‑site and virtual consultations to drive hotel-level execution across financial performance, guest experience, operations, owner engagement, and brand standards. Serve as a trusted advisor to hotel owners, operators, and management companies, ensuring adoption of the midscale operating model and driving brand-aligned performance outcomes. Leverage performance dashboards, competitive intelligence, and analytical tools (e.g., CoSTAR, Medallia, Salesforce, Tableau) to identify opportunities and influence decision-making.

Recommend and activate strategies that improve revenue, guest satisfaction, profitability, and cost efficiency at the property and portfolio levels. Ensure execution of recommendations through coaching, follow‑up consultations, and consistent communication with property stakeholders.

Performance Accountability & Program Activation

Drive continuous improvement in revenue, profitability, and guest experience metrics. Collaborate with Revenue Management, Commercial Strategy, and other internal teams to align and deploy targeted strategies. Enhance hotel engagement with brand programs, revenue initiatives, and operational tools. Monitor competitive landscape and market trends to inform proactive performance strategies.

Resource Utilization & Cross‑Functional Partnership

Identify operational challenges and connect hotels with specialized resources including Choice

U, Centers of Excellence, Owner Relations, and Brand Operations. Facilitate adoption of best practices through internal resources and proprietary programs. Provide insights and trends to internal partners, contributing to portfolio-wide strategic planning.

Communication & Relationship Management

Cultivate strong relationships with franchisees and serve as their primary Choice Hotels contact for performance-related engagement. Maintain accurate documentation of consultations, action plans, and follow‑up items within Choice’s CRM. Provide regular performance feedback and market insights to the Regional Vice President. Generate consultation summaries and follow‑up correspondence to owners, GMs, and management companies.

Administrative Responsibilities

Maintain timely and accurate business expense documentation. Support franchise sales growth when needed and participate in franchise association activities. Share competitive intelligence, emerging trends, and best practices with peers and corporate teams.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management, Business Administration, Marketing, or related field or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Experience

Minimum 15 years of progressive hotel operations experience with preference in midscale or upper-midscale segments. Minimum 10 years of hotel leadership experience, preferably with multi‑unit or franchise performance responsibility.

Demonstrated Ability

Demonstrated ability to drive performance outcomes through data‑driven decision-making, analytics, and operational expertise.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

Strong analytical, forecasting, and budget management skills. High autonomy with the ability to manage complex…