Planet Fitness Headquarters is continuing to build our leadership team to support our domestic and international growth! We are searching for a Chief Development Officer to join our team.
As an active member of Planet Fitness’ Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Development Officer will be tasked with assessing Planet Fitness’s sales, real estate, development systems and infrastructure necessary for domestic and international scalability while designing and executing on a strategic plan for corporate and franchise growth. This role leads and directs teams in the achievement of strategic objectives and initiatives including market planning and development, franchisee recruitment and sales, market analysis, real estate, construction, design, and facilities.
There will be a strong focus on implementing and executing upon cross functional initiatives to drive domestic and international growth and improve performance and profitability of the organization and its affiliates.
Real Estate & Development
Work in conjunction with Executive Team to build consensus and alignment on market-specific development goals and objectives.
Provide strategic guidance regarding large-scale planning and development and consult with key stakeholders to align department plans with company strategies.
Formulate strategic operations and infrastructure requirements while overseeing strategic operations of all phases of the franchise development process. Maximize the business workflow by improving program efficiency from site selection to store opening.
Utilize expertise and understanding of the development process to lead internal and external teams throughout the pre-development, entitlement, financing, due diligence and construction phases.
Oversee financial objectives and forecasting. Identify areas for improvement and develop action plans to improve results and profitability.
Develop tools, KPI’s and dashboards to analyze existing and potential location performance. Develop action plans to strengthen market position through analysis of data.
Partner with financial leadership to develop and execute on capital initiatives related to real estate and development (i.e. budgeting, financing).
Champion efficiency ideas and cost reduction measures and implement a long term sustainability strategy that includes efficient energy and materials utilization.
Franchise Development
Provide leadership, management and vision in developing and executing growth plan initiatives for expansion of the franchise network domestically and internationally, positively impacting overall revenue and profitability.
Drive franchise sales through analyzing the current process and developing reliable benchmarks and key performance indicators.
Support the Company’s short/long term growth by improving Planet Fitness’s franchise development pipeline and process in order to consistently maintain a sufficient inventory of qualified franchise prospects.
Create and determine growth strategies for current franchisees.
Utilize market analysis and demographic research to maximize unit growth and brand penetration.
Policies and Procedures
Evaluate, develop, and oversee policies and procedures consistent with the Company’s Development objectives to support long-term growth strategies, cost effectiveness, and compliance enforcement.
Leadership
Develop, establish and maintain an effective organizational structure and staffing plan to meet company goals. Translate goals into achievable steps and manage expectations of the business.
Provide leadership and mentoring to staff to further the creation of a continuous learning environment and an organization that seeks excellence.
Proactively support employee development; create effective succession plan program to support personal development of employees.
Qualifications/Skills
Bachelor's degree in related field. MBA strongly preferred.
15+ years of successful real estate and development experience in the multi-unit franchise industry. 10+ years of proven experience developing and leading teams.
Broad experience in areas of strategic business development, franchise development, real estate, facilities management, construction, architecture/design and finance.
Solid strategic expertise with a demonstrated ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the business and identify areas of improvement.
Excellent team leadership skills managing an organization through periods of extensive unit expansion and growth. Engaging management style with the ability to make sound decisions.
Experience overseeing operational improvements that drive increased profitability, greater operational effectiveness and efficiency, with a focus on continuous improvement.
Strong financial acumen, focused on achieving financial results. Demonstrated knowledge of cash flow metrics and ROI. Demonstrated ability to understand how to leverage the components of the P&L to drive revenue.
Strong analytical and organizational skills in order to evaluate current systems and processes and implement “best in class” practices.
Solid negotiation skills with a high capacity for managing complexity.
Proven success attracting and supporting sophisticated multi-unit franchisees.
Excellent project, planning and time management skills.
Proficient in Word and Excel. Salesforce experience preferred.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or team members of organization.
Results-oriented individual with the ability to interpret and effectively manage multiple and competing priorities and time lines.
Demonstrated skills in managing internal and external customers with excellent collaboration skills, listening skills and decision making skills.
Inquisitive, detail-oriented with strong analytical skills and an innovative approach to problem solving.
Comfortable in a hands-on and accountable culture.
Why you should join Planet Fitness!
Contribute to changing people’s lives every day by helping us create a healthier Planet!
Work hard and play hard with an amazing group of talented, dynamic professionals!
Want more reasons?
Competitive salaries
Medical and Dental insurance
Term Life Insurance
401(K) and Roth Retirement Savings Plan
Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Childcare Allowance
Vacation/Holiday Pay
Free Black Card Membership
Weekly catered lunches
Company sponsored social