Director, Corporate Development & Innovation - Full-time / Part-time

In the hospitality industry, people matter.

That's why here at Choice Hotels we're always looking for exceptional people - people who will challenge us, make our team stronger, smarter and complete. People who know how to roll up their sleeves and tackle the job at hand; who go the extra mile to get the job done - and done well.

At Choice, we are looking for employees to connect the world through the power of hospitality - and we offer support, a strong culture, a collaborative workplace and the opportunity to thrive. Choice brings together people, brands, and technology to enable success.

Who are we looking for? Maybe it's you.

Company background…

Approaching 80 years of history, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the world's largest lodging companies. With more than 6,800 hotels franchised in more than 40 countries and territories, we represent more than 500,000 rooms around the globe. Our company's Ascend Hotel Collection®, Cambria® hotels & suites, Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Sleep Inn®, Quality®, Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, WoodSpring Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, Econo Lodge® and Rodeway Inn® brands provide a spectrum of lodging choices to meet guests' needs. Our industry-leading marketing and distribution platform includes the Choice Privileges® rewards program, representing 37 million members, and our keen focus on technology and innovation drives performance for our franchisees.

The role …

This is an excellent opportunity to work on high-impact corporate-level initiatives that influence the long-term strategy and growth of the company.

The Director, Corporate Development will support, and sometimes lead, the execution of Choice's strategic growth plan including the discovery and development of new strategic growth opportunities for the company through M&A, investments, corporate-level partnerships or through the launch of new businesses and internal start-ups. The Director will also participate in all elements of the deal execution process by leading the financial, analytical and strategic assessment of growth opportunities across all stages, from ideation to assessment of investment options, due diligence and execution/implementation.

What you will do …

The Director of Corporate Development will work closely with peers in other Choice functional areas to conduct mergers & acquisitions activity. The Director may also conduct special studies for top decision makers in areas such as technology, distribution and brands. In addition, the Director will manage small teams of associates in the following activities:

• Discover and develop new growth opportunities for the company through acquisitions, partnerships or new business ventures.
• Develop and articulate the strategic rationale and risk/return characteristics for investment opportunities.
• Underwrite acquisition and development opportunities utilizing cash flow models and various debt and equity structures.
• Prepare clear, concise investment and strategy presentations for the executive team, Board of Directors and external partners.
• Build financial models, perform competitor and market analysis and develop strategies to support the launch of new business ventures or acquisitions.
• Implement projects including concept development, due diligence, business launch and project integration. Work collaboratively across functions (technology, legal, finance, communications, tax, brands, sales) to identify and implement growth opportunities.
• Lead in contract negotiations (LOIs, term sheets, commercial or definitive agreements) for partnerships and corporate transactions.
• Build a professional network of internal and external contacts to keep abreast of market opportunities, emerging business models and industry trends. Track research sources, gather market intelligence, identify and monitor trends of interest. Translate findings into actionable projects.

Skills you have …

• Bachelor's degree required
• MBA or CFA designation preferred
• 8+ years combined experience in professional services (consulting, banking or other M&A advisory firms) or Fortune 500 company, preferably with experience in global branded companies, in a strategy or corporate business development role
• A proven track record of corporate new business development experience and/or capital markets experience (direct exposure to debt and equity market transactions).
• A demonstrated ability to work with and influence senior executives and be comfortable working in a fast-paced, unstructured environment
• Desire to be technology savvy and conversant in latest startup, investments and trends
• Ability to negotiate favorable terms of agreements, developed through previous experience. Demonstrated ability to interface with a range of external contacts from senior executives, company owners to investment bankers and consultants
• Exceptional leadership capability, strategic vision and organizational influence
• Excellent financial and analytical skills and broad base business acumen
• Must be effective at building relationships at every level and comfortable making decisions required to move the organization forward. Has outstanding verbal and written communication skills, is able to articulate views convincingly, and adapts style so as to have the greatest impact on a given audience
• Aggressive, hands-on and capable of developing new function in a highly energized environment
• Self-starter, willing to take prudent risks based on experience
• Ability to uphold Choice's Values & Performance Principles of collaboration, performance excellence, sense of urgency, openness to new ideas, inclusion & diversity, integrity, customer focus, and respect

Must be able to uphold Choice's Values & Performance Principles of accountability, collaboration, performance excellence, sense of urgency, innovation, inclusion & diversity, integrity & trust, customer focus, and respect.