Senior Development Manager

Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence

Senior Development Manager for KFC overseeing the development of new restaurant locations and managing the franchise pipeline. Role requires extensive market knowledge and collaboration with stakeholders.

Posted 7/1/2026full-timeDubai • 🇦🇪 United Arab EmiratesSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

In the field, understanding competition, trade-zones and customer behaviors, you challenge & ultimately validate location and asset types chosen by franchisees to integrate them into the new store pipeline.
You own and monitor the new store pipeline ensuring its timely delivery while maintaining key stakeholders informed of progress and blockers.
You provide solutions to enhance new store pipeline – both quantity and quality.
You constantly challenge the business model to lower hurdle sales of new stores - this is done in partnership with internal design team, Operations team, Restaurant Excellence team, Equipment team and Franchisees.
You ensure that the restaurant portfolio is kept “fresh”, ensuring that remodels are done and relocation executed when required by change of trade zones.
You continuously enhance franchisee capabilities by providing tools, trainings and share best-practices.
You ensure franchisees adhere to brand standards for new builds and refurbishment programme.
You steer and develop suppliers, vendors and consultants in order to deliver profitable expansion in time.
You keep abreast of Restaurant industry practices both within Yum & competitors regarding development plans, design standards and Capex efficiencies.
You coordinate and ensure all related function approvals during remodel and new store approval processes.
You ensure all Franchise Partners are meeting with global equipment standards.
The Senior Development Manager is the most senior manager in the Department, reporting to and working closely with, the Sr Director development.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field from a reputable institution.
8+ years of Business Development experience in retail, with proven retail real estate expertise.
Strong business and cultural understanding of the Middle East market.
Strong commercial acumen, project management, and process-oriented approach.
Ability to work effectively across functions, influence stakeholders at all levels, and manage complex transactions with minimal supervision.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of articulating complex business issues to senior internal and external stakeholders.
Strong critical thinking and analytical capabilities, with the ability to evaluate risks, opportunities, and business scenarios.
Highly organized, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with partners, suppliers, clients, and cross-functional teams.
Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and achieving results independently.

Benefits

Comp & perks

health insurance
retirement plans
paid time off
flexible work arrangements
professional development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Urban PlanningBusiness AdministrationEconomicsAnalytical CapabilitiesRisk EvaluationProcess-Oriented ApproachCommercial AcumenComplex Transaction ManagementFranchisee TrainingCapex Efficiencies

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationRelationship BuildingAdaptabilityOrganizational SkillsContinuous Learning