Area Manager Job Description
At Jackson Hewitt, we are working hard for the hardest working and we are on a mission to completely change the way our customers engage with their personal finances. Jackson Hewitt combines the fun, fast-paced culture of a startup with the scale and reputation of one of the nation’s largest retailers (over 6,000 locations).
At Jackson Hewitt we have a passion for our employees and our customers. We recognize and appreciate that our team members are our single greatest competitive advantage. Being an industry leader requires a consistent focus on quality, innovation, performance and results.
POSITION SUMMARY
As an Area Manager you will learn the business from the ground up providing real business leadership development and experience as well as deep understanding of critical components of business success (recruitment/retention strategies, marketing, employee development, operations, training, profitability, team leadership).
During peak season (December – April), this position manages the day-to-day activities of seasonal team members assigned to approximately twenty (10) or more stores and/or kiosk locations. During off-season (May – November) this position manages the day-to-day activities of a small group of all year round employees. In addition, this position will promote activities to actively recruit employees, creating partnerships within local communities, and creating strong relationships with local businesses.
This role has access to and regularly requires working with information of a sensitive, highly confidential nature, and dealing with diverse matters which require a working knowledge of the business. This role requires some travel within the assigned area. This role also requires cold calling, attending networking events, live Zoom meetings, and in person / online presentations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
PERFORMANCE DRIVER
Monitors GL & P&L performance and holds/voids/rejects, discount reports and productivity reports for assigned store group. Also responsible for meeting all office goals including, but not limited to revenue, cash control and tax return count in assigned area.
Hold multi-store managers and associates accountable for business growth at office and individual levels, while ensuring profitability of assigned area.
Develop, implement, and monitor strategy to increase client satisfaction and client retention within the assigned area.
Maintain a performance culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and goal achievement.
FUTURE GROWTH
Partner with the Operations General Manager (OGM) to create and implement office-level growth plans and client growth targets.
Continuously builds the business by retaining existing clients, attracting new clients, and creating positive brand awareness.
Support New Store Opening team in recruiting, hiring, training staff and launching new locations while balancing the needs of existing locations.
Represents the company to outside organizations within the local community. Develops local partnerships and manages office community involvement.
Builds strategic relationships with local business owners to drive sales of Jackson Hewitt services, and non Jackson Hewitt services including book keeping, business consulting, CFO, and payroll services.
Assist with special projects as assigned by OGM.
TALENT MANAGER
Develop a best in class talent pool and ensure your team is diverse and reflective of the customer. Leads recruiting efforts and manages the interviewing process of seasonal employees for assigned area.
Proactively recruit for the future by leading in person recruiting efforts during off season with multi-store managers. Always be recruiting!
Works directly on job-fairs, hiring initiatives, and training of all preparers to execute the job.
Monitors associate performance to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures, correcting errors or problems.
Model behavior that reflects the company mission, vision, and values.
Set clear goals and expectations and hold multi-store managers and tax preparers accountable to a high standard of excellence. Responsible for triggering corrective action processes, as necessary, for direct reports.
Responsible for providing associate development opportunities, building a culture of recognition and focusing on associate retention, resulting in a high-performing, energized, and collaborative team.
COMMUNICATION
Provides employees with guidance in handling difficult or complex problems or in resolving escalated complaints or disputes.
Assists, or drives the tax education process and flow of teams, including the transition to hire process.
Lead daily team meetings and communicate essential information to tax office associates and multi-store managers.
Share best practices across the assigned area.
Responsible for the communication, education and follow up of all new product and process rollouts in their assigned area.
Build engagement between locations resulting in a sense of community.
COMPLIANCE
Reviews and approves work schedules and time card approvals, monitor time tracker during all shifts, works with Human Resources on any employee relations issues or complaints and training.
Ensures all assigned locations meet company standards including but not limited to: office set up, build-outs and breakdown, technology set up, telecommunications, office supplies and facilities maintenance. Maintains relationships with property managers and landlords.
Conduct on site evaluations and ensure that our standards are consistently met. Ensure multi-store managers understand the importance of and comply with all operating procedures - develop corrective plans as and when needed – and be very involved with any location that routinely delivers a customer experience inconsistent with Standard Operating Procedures.
Monitors cash flow and inventory of all locations in assigned area.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Associate’s degree or equivalent related business experience. Course of study in management or in tax preparation and/or accounting preferred.
Individual tax prep experience
2 years previous management or supervisory experience required with a passion for leading and inspiring others.
Entrepreneurial spirit that inspires out of the box thinking to impact business results.
Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and client service skills.
Must possess reliable transportation, insurance, and a driver’s license in good standing. Ability to travel overnight and/or between stores as required.
Proficiency with a variety of computer software applications such as electronic mail, internet browser, Word, Excel, Slack, and accounting or tax preparation software.
Obsessive attention to detail.
A creative and active approach to driving sales.
Curious, a student of business and human behavior; deeply knowledgeable of their own business and always looking for inspiration from other businesses.
Love for learning, teaching, coaching, and developing.
Strong remote and in-person communication skills. Ability to engage in a genuine way. Proactively connects to the team to drive behavior and results.
Demonstrated ability to continually embrace challenges, take risks, learn fast and enable change.
Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills as well as ability to influence with solid coaching skills.
Demonstrated ability to drive results; execute based upon direction and manage multiple, competing priorities.
Willingness to work irregular schedules: day, evening and weekend shifts based on business needs.
PREFERRED SKILLS
Bachelor’s degree in Business or other related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
5+ years of management experience leading teams including training and coaching, with strong leadership and communication skills
Experience recruiting for exempt and non-exempt jobs as well as implementing standard operating procedures and prioritization skills
Successful experience with sales, client growth, P&L, and localized marketing
Multi-unit people management experience in the retail, restaurant, banking, or other related industry; management of people within military service positions can also be a good fit.
Individual tax prep experience
HOURS / PAY
This position is a salaried position at competitive industry rates. There is also a bonus plan based on area and company performance.
During peak season, this position may work up to 60-80 hours per week. During off season, this position is expected to work a minimum of 40 hours per week based on workload.
BENEFITS
Free Tax Return for you and your immediate family.
Bonus plan that rewards performance up to 25% of salary.
Mileage Reimbursement.
$500 per year Medical Reimbursement.
$500 per year Education Reimbursement.
Up to 2 weeks paid vacation based on seniority.
Cell Phone Service Stipend.
Paid Holidays during off season.
Business Development and Advancement.
<p><sub>By submitting this form, I hereby acknowledge that most Jackson Hewitt locations are operated by independent franchisees and not Jackson Hewitt or its affiliates. I further acknowledge that franchisees are independent employers and separate companies and employers from Jackson Hewitt Inc., and set their own employment policies and practices. Franchisees are the exclusive employer of their employees and as such are solely responsible for all employment-related matters and decisions in their locations. Specifically, with regard to employees of franchisees, such franchisees, and not Jackson Hewitt, will have exclusive control over all employment-related decisions, including decisions concerning hiring, firing, wages, conditions of employment, discipline, staffing, or any other day-to-day employment issue. Jackson Hewitt Inc. will have no obligation or right to control any franchise employment issue relating to employees of a Jackson Hewitt franchisee. By applying for a job at a franchise-operated location, I understand that the information I provide will be forwarded to the franchisee in order for that organization to reach out to me and process and evaluate my application. I acknowledge that Jackson Hewitt will not receive a copy of my employment application and will have no involvement in any employment decisions regarding me, including whether I receive an interview or whether I am hired to work for the franchisee. I understand that I need to contact the relevant franchisee for information about its privacy practices. Any communications opt-out that I submit in any franchisee’s job application process is specific to that franchisee and will not be communicated to any other entity.</sub></p>