Fahrenheit Advisors is assisting our client, Empower Brands, in the search for a VP of Operations to lead JAN-PRO International Systems.

Empower Brands was founded in 2022 as a product of the integration of Lynx Franchising and Outdoor Living Brands. Empower encompasses ten industry-leading brands across commercial and residential services: JAN-PRO, FRSTeam, Archadeck Outdoor Living, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives (OLP), Conserva Irrigation, Koala Insulation, Wallaby Windows, Superior Fence and Rail, Bumble Roofing and Canopy Lawn Care. Empower is dedicated to providing its customers with the highest quality products and services in the commercial and home services industry while simultaneously delivering its franchise owners committed personal support, tools and empowerment to pursue their own success. Empower Brands is a portfolio company of MidOcean Partners, a leading private equity firm with an excellent track record investing in successful, growth-focused franchise businesses. For more about Empower Brands, visit the company’s website at EmpowerFranchising.com.

JAN-PRO Operates a three-tier franchise model in the Janitorial Services category. The model consists of Regional Developments Franchisees (RDs) that provide business support services. In addition to business support services, the RDs sell JAN-PRO Cleaning and Disinfecting franchises (also known as Certified Business Owners, “CBOs”) into a designated territory. CBOs provide customized commercial cleaning plans and ancillary services to clients of their business. JAN-PRO operates in multiple countries through over 120 regional Developers and over 10,000 JAN-PRO Cleaning and Disinfecting franchisees.

Position Overview:

The VP of Operations oversees day-to-day operations and the long-term success of Jan-Pro International field operations, training delivery and franchisee support. The VP of Operations leads and manages the operations team to help achieve the goals and objectives of JPSI. This role is responsible for supporting the top 10 Regional Franchisees as well as leading a team of field directors in delivering support and training to the Regional Developer Franchise network. The operations team has overall responsibility for development of support systems, ensuring compliance with brand standards, day to day assistance for the Regional Franchise network, training franchisees and business consulting activities that support the growth of the system. This position is remote as travel will be necessary.

Core Responsibilities:

• Assists in setting brand strategies and initiatives
• Provides thoughtful leadership and problem solving skills
• Creates dynamic team environment for employees and franchisees
• Oversees the day-to-day support operations to ensure world class support is being delivered to franchisees
• Drives corporate initiatives to the franchise operations
• Leads efforts to implement risk mitigation initiatives
• Enforces brand standards as defined
• P&L responsibility for department, budgeting and strategic planning
• Supports Franchise Development activities and Market Expansion
• Supports franchisee succession planning activities and exit events
• Conducts certification or training either personally or through the operations team
• Reviews business plans, P&L statements and KPIs with support personnel for their respective franchisees.
• Reviews budgets, forecasts, P&L statements and KPIs with Empower Brands support personnel and Brand President
• Builds professional relationships with franchisees and peers
• Helps to identify, create, and present certification or training programs
• Owns development, updating and communication of SOP manuals, operations policies, and procedures, along with ensuring required documentation is accurate
• Identify and lead new business opportunities
• Continually update the Brand President on operations projects, direction, and new initiatives to ensure Brand President has key information needed to make strategic decisions

Required Experience & Qualifications:

• Dynamic thought leader able to inspire trust and action from the Regional Franchisees.
• Manage organizational transformation and change.
• Successfully demonstrated the ability to work collaboratively with senior leaders and other departments to support their efforts in accomplishing Company goals.
• Establish team focus by developing and communicating goals in support of the visions and values of JPSI.
• Attract and retain top talent. Develop others by delegating responsibility, providing high-impact performance feedback, and assisting in conflict resolution.
• Mature strategic/business development executive with 10+ years of experience, including substantial experience in a senior management role developing and implementing new business and growth strategies in a nimble and entrepreneurial environment.
• Experience in the cleaning / janitorial services industry a plus
• Proven experience in developing a strategy and driving tangible results across teams in an ambiguous environment while leveraging data from a multitude of sources to tell a story and impact the overarching strategy.