Franchise Development Manager

Franchise Development Manager

Do you want to do work that matters? Do you want to help improve the lives of some of the most hardworking people in Africa, while also reducing carbon emissions? Do you want to use your skills to advance Africa and the Global South towards a zero-carbon future, not just to make a living? Ampersand is your answer.

About Ampersand

Ampersand is Africa’s e-mobility pioneer. Ampersand provides electric motorcycles and charging infrastructure (battery swap stations), uniquely tailored to serve half of Africa’s road fleet: Commercial motorcycle taxi and delivery drivers. Moto taxis are a primary means of public transport in African cities, and it is estimated that these drivers spend >$6Bn p.a. on gasoline in East Africa alone. Ampersand has developed an electric solution that is more powerful, fun to drive, and cost-effective than the incumbent. Ampersand drivers routinely earn over 45% more income by going electric. The company started in Kigali, Rwanda, and expanded into Nairobi, Kenya in 2022. Today it has around 6,000 e-motorcycles on the road and 58 battery swap stations across the two countries. Ampersand is leading the market in quality, affordable tech, customer traction, and operational systems. The Ampersand team consists of 500+ staff drawn from diverse backgrounds and is working hard to see all 5 million taxi motorbikes in East Africa become electric by 2030. Ampersand is rapidly scaling its operations and is looking for innovative professionals who are passionate about clean energy and environmental impact to lead and contribute to our rapid growth. Ampersand values innovation, creativity, and continuous improvement. It seeks people who are proactive problem solvers to drive results. Ampersand promotes leadership within the organization and is a place where you can grow your career as you work with some of the brightest and most hard-working individuals in East Africa.

Our Values

Customer-centric Everyday: We prioritize our customers daily, tailoring solutions to exceed expectations. Challenge The Status Quo Through Innovation: Our dedicated teams constantly challenge the status quo, driving innovation to enhance customer experiences and deliver solutions that go beyond expectations Love Solving Problems Together: Internal collaboration is our approach; we thrive on solving challenges alongside our customers. Stay Agile: We stay agile to swiftly meet dynamic customer needs and adapt to a changing landscape. Driven By People And Planet: Beyond business, we're committed to people and the planet, ensuring a positive impact.

About the Role

Ampersand is hiring a Franchise Development manager to run the franchise pipeline in Rwanda, from first inquiry to a signed, functioning station. You will qualify prospective franchisees and KYC, scout and recommend sites, lead first meetings, run the NDA and contract paperwork, and explain Ampersand's franchise models, terms and service levels clearly and accurately. About Ampersand and the franchise programme The programme includes more than one business model, and you will need to match each prospect to the right one: Franchise swap stations: a full station operated by a franchisee under a site-specific term sheet and service level agreement. Franchisee-supplied power: franchisees who own or install transformers that power their stations, with specific terms covering that infrastructure. Range-extender cabinets: a single swap cabinet at a partner's premises at the edge of the network, typically on a rental arrangement. Each agreement covers revenue or rental terms, uptime and service obligations, penalties, renewal and exit.

Key Responsibilities

Pipeline and inquiries Handle all inbound franchise inquiries in Rwanda and respond within an agreed timeframe. Qualify prospects on capital availability, site access, business track record and commitment to operating standards. Run outbound prospecting with landowners, fuel stations, transport businesses and existing Ampersand partners. Maintain a pipeline tracker with the stage, next action and expected go-live date for every prospect. Site scouting and approval Scout and assess candidate sites against Ampersand's criteria: rider demand, location, grid supply, access, local regulations and land tenure. Use Ampersand's site-potential forecasts and station data to support each site recommendation. Recommend sites to the Network Director with a written case for each, and record the decision. Coordinate with the Network Facilities team on electrical and civil feasibility before a site is committed. Ensure new sites are fully compliant with RURA, CoK and other relevant local authorities before commitment Business case and pitch Lead initial meetings and present the franchise opportunity using Ampersand's approved business plans and financial projections. Match each prospect to the right business model and explain the investment, expected returns and risks clearly and transparently. Prepare tailored prospect packs from approved templates. In conjunction with the Network Manager and COO, update the business model and terms sheet as the business model evolves. Agreements and administration Issue, track and file NDAs before any confidential business information is shared. Prepare term sheets and draft agreements from approved templates for each site. Walk prospects through the terms and conditions and SLAs using an approved script covering obligations, penalties, renewal and exit, so that potential franchisees understand what they are signing and committing to. Route every deviation from standard terms to the Network Director and in-house counsel, and keep a record of what was agreed. Maintain a complete document file for every franchisee and site. Maintain detailed records for all franchisee transactions and agreements for ease of liaison with Finance, Facilities and Operations teams. Onboarding and handover Coordinate signed franchisees through to go-live with the Network Facilities and operations and battery teams. Make sure each franchisee completes onboarding and understands their SLA obligations before the station opens. Remain as the franchisee's commercial point of contact for the first three months of operation, then hand over to operations.

Ongoing Support

Prepare revenue summaries and share with franchisees on a monthly basis, resolving any SLA related issues. Arrange station upgrades with loan terms as required. Manage and balance competing demands on Franchise growth in high traffic areas. Franchise “Product Management" Create and codify the franchise “package” - create and implement standard operating procedures and Ways of Working to ensure seamless roll out across new and existing geographies. Launch pack - site selection, requirements, recruitment, training, branding, BOMs etc. Operations pack - Ways of Working, SOPs, Reporting lines, payments and SLAs. Commercial pack - Standardised business model, terms sheets, partner Due Diligence etc. Franchisee on-boarding pack - ……..a standard process to on-board new franchisees and introduce them to all aspects of the business and key internal stakeholders……

Collaborate with software teams to Automate payments and SLA tracking

Ampersand International Growth

Support new country launches with franchise expertise and engage with potential partners in new geographies. We do not guarantee or promise any specific operational performance or financial returns to potential Franchisees.,. Explaining the terms accurately, including the risks to the franchisee, is a key part of the job.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business, commerce, economics, engineering or a related field. 3–5 years in business development, franchise sales, commercial partnerships, account management or site acquisition experience. Experience presenting a commercial offer to SME owners or investors in Rwanda. Ability to understand commercial contracts, term sheets and SLAs, explain them in plain language, and recognise when an issue needs to be escalated. Ability to follow and explain a simple business case: CAPEX, OPEX, payback and sensitivity to volume. Strong organisation and document control; comfortable running a pipeline tracker and contract register. Fluent in Kinyarwanda and English. Valid driving licence and willingness to travel extensively across Rwanda.

Desirable

Experience in energy, fuel retail, telecoms, mobility or another network-based business. An existing network of landowners, investors or business owners outside Kigali. Familiarity with Rwandan land, leasing and business registration processes. Experience using a CRM. French or Kiswahili.

Timing

Starting date-beginning of January 2027. Compensation: A competitive compensation package commensurate with local market rates and experience including health insurance. Job location This role will be based in Kigali, Rwanda Interested? Women and minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply