The Compliance Manager plays a crucial role in our restaurant franchisor business, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, brand standards, and ethical practices. They are responsible for developing and implementing compliance programs, policies, and procedures to mitigate risk and maintain a culture of integrity across the franchise network. The Compliance Manager collaborates with internal stakeholders, franchisees, and external agencies to promote compliance, ethical conduct, and a strong corporate governance framework.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and implement a comprehensive compliance program, including policies, procedures, and controls, to ensure adherence to laws, regulations, and brand standards.
Conduct regular compliance risk assessments, identifying potential areas of vulnerability and developing strategies to mitigate risks.
Stay updated on relevant laws, regulations, and industry best practices, providing guidance and recommendations to senior management and franchisees.
Establish and maintain a compliance reporting system to track and address compliance issues and violations.
Collaborate with franchisees to ensure understanding and compliance with franchise agreements, operating standards, and legal requirements.
Provide guidance and training to franchisees and their management teams on compliance-related matters.
Conduct compliance audits and inspections to assess franchisee adherence to brand standards, policies, and procedures.
Address compliance-related inquiries, concerns, and violations, implementing corrective actions as necessary.
Develop, update, and communicate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment between operational processes and compliance guidelines.
Review and analyze policies and procedures, identifying opportunities for improvement and recommending updates to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.
Develop and deliver compliance training programs for franchisees, employees, and relevant stakeholders.
Create and distribute educational materials, newsletters, and communications to promote awareness and understanding of compliance requirements.
Collaborate with internal training teams to integrate compliance training into onboarding programs and ongoing professional development initiatives.
Establish and maintain an ethics program to promote a culture of integrity, ethics, and transparency.
Develop and maintain a whistleblower program, ensuring mechanisms for reporting and investigating compliance concerns or misconduct.
Investigate compliance-related complaints or allegations, maintaining confidentiality and impartiality throughout the process.
Implement disciplinary actions or remedial measures in response to compliance violations or breaches.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Legal Studies, or a related field.
Paralegal certification preferred.
Proven experience in compliance management, preferably within the restaurant or franchising industry.
Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance, legal requirements, and industry standards.
Familiarity with franchise regulations, agreements, and compliance frameworks.
Excellent understanding of corporate governance principles and ethical practices.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Relevant certifications in compliance or ethics (e.g., Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional, Certified Franchise Executive) are a plus.
Physical Demands:
The position primarily involves sedentary work in an office setting.
Occasional travel may involve standing, walking, and moving around during site visits or industry events.