At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive Subway's growth by securing new Master Franchise partnerships across EMEA.
- Company: Join one of the world's most iconic brands, Subway, and be part of a transformational journey.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that shapes the future of a global brand.
- Qualifications: 5-8 years in strategy or commercial roles; experience in EMEA is essential.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
Ready for a fresh, new career? Look no further because one of the world’s most iconic brands can help you get there.
Why Join Us?
At Subway, “better” is baked into our DNA. A brand that believes in continued improvement … in our lives, our businesses, and our planet. From the handshake that started our very first sandwich shop to earning our position as one of the world’s leading restaurant brands, we’ve always embraced change and the path ahead. And today, we’re making better living way easier.
Our purpose is about more than the food we serve in our restaurants. It’s centered on fueling healthy businesses and healthier lives. It is one of the most exciting times to join the Subway team and contribute to our transformational journey.
About the Role
We are looking for a Sr. Manager, Business Development based in our London office. The Senior Business Development Manager – Master Franchise, will drive Subway’s growth across EMEA by identifying, evaluating, and securing new Master Franchise partnerships. This role will lead end‑to‑end deal execution: pipeline generation, partner evaluation, commercial negotiation support, internal approvals, and smooth handover into onboarding.
This role requires a mix of commercial mindset and structured deal making discipline – someone who can open doors, assess partners fast, and build a business case for a win‑win partnership for the long term. The role will work closely with the MF BU leadership seeking alignment/buy‑in for each business case, and will collaborate with other functions (legal, finance, etc.) throughout the process as needed.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Lead Master Franchise Expansion (Deal Origination to Signing)
- Build and manage a healthy pipeline of MF opportunities across targeted EMEA markets
- Identify high potential partners (operators, investors, multi‑brand retail groups, other QSR players), and the list of key decision‑makers within each potential partner.
- Develop winning outreach strategies, tailored to each market / potential partner: network intros, LinkedIn connection, advisors, targeted approaches
- Run partner selection process based on criteria aligned with MF BU leadership: capability assessment, reputation checks, financial strength review, strategic fit
- Conduct market‑level screening: store potential, whitespace, competition, macro trends, regulatory considerations
- Support development of a win‑win business plan for a sustainable partnership in the long term, based on store build economics, development and sales growth assumptions.
- Ensure the business plan is commercially viable, able to create investment appetite and satisfy payback expectations
- Partner with BU Business Analytics team and Finance to shape the “why this market / why this partner / why now” story, to create buy‑in from leadership.
- Support MF BU leadership throughout negotiation of key commercial terms (development schedules, fees, incentives, governance, performance triggers)
- Coordinate with Legal on franchise agreement alignment and risk mitigation
- Support leadership alignment and approval process for each signing by preparing “deal summary sheets” for executive leadership’s review.
- Review, improve, and standardize NBD ways of working to increase speed, quality, and consistency of deal execution
- Build and continuously refine core sales tools and assets such as: MF sales pitch / partnership deck (master version + market‑specific variants)
- Ensure materials are always “client‑ready,” aligned internally, and reflective of current strategy, performance, and brand positioning
- Manage internal communications to keep all stakeholders up to date on each upcoming deal prior to signing, along with expectations on the timelines, initial support needed and business plan KPIs.
- Successfully hand over each deal after signing to the transition teams for launch readiness (onboarding handover, governance set‑up, first‑year priorities)
Additional responsibilities
- Main KPI: # of MF agreements signed (annual target)
- Other KPIs: # of qualified MF opportunities added to pipeline (monthly/quarterly), # of partner assessments completed and advanced to proposal stage, Time‑to‑close from first contact to signing, Quality of partnerships (financial strength, development capacity and execution capability).
Skills and Abilities Required
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, economics, operations, or similar related field. Master’s degree is a plus
- 5–8+ years’ experience in strategy, development, commercial, planning or M&A role. Industry experience: strategy consulting, QSR, retail, FMCG or Real estate are relevant
- Prior experience in EMEA required
- Strong commercial judgment and “ownership” mindset
- Experience building/negotiating complex partnerships or long term commercial agreements
- Ability to drive initiatives across multiple internal stakeholders
- Comfortable with long sales cycles, senior level discussions for strategic alignment
- Clear and concise written and verbal communication
- Strong presentation and analytical skills
- Advanced Powerpoint and Excel capabilities
- Executive presence / maturity and awareness of the broader business context
Sr. Manager, Business Development - Master Franchise EMEA in London employer: Subway
Contact Detail:
Subway Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sr. Manager, Business Development - Master Franchise EMEA in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential partners or colleagues. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Subway’s values and recent developments. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission of better living. Practise your pitch so you can confidently showcase your skills and how you can contribute to their growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities there, so keep checking back for new roles that match your skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Sr. Manager, Business Development - Master Franchise EMEA in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Sr. Manager role. Highlight your experience in business development and partnerships, especially in the EMEA region. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Subway!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use numbers and specific examples to demonstrate how you’ve driven growth or secured partnerships in previous roles. This helps us see the impact you can bring to our team.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and fluff. Make it easy for us to understand your qualifications and why you’re a great fit for Subway.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Subway
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the EMEA markets Subway operates in. Understand the competitive landscape, market trends, and potential partners. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your commercial mindset and ability to assess partners quickly.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Prepare specific outreach strategies for different types of partners. Think about how you would approach operators, investors, or multi-brand retail groups. Show that you can adapt your communication style and strategy based on the audience, which is crucial for building long-term partnerships.
✨Showcase Your Deal-Making Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with complex partnerships and negotiations. Prepare examples where you've successfully navigated challenging discussions or built a business case that led to a win-win outcome. This will highlight your structured deal-making discipline.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Whether it's discussing financial strength reviews or presenting a business plan, strong communication skills are essential. Use clear examples and be prepared to answer questions about your analytical approach and decision-making process.