Automation, Aviation Industry, Catering Services, Change Management, Channel Support, Computer Skills, Continuous Improvement, Contract Management, Customer Experience, Data Analysis, Documentation, Facilities Management, Finance, Financial Compliance, Food Services, Insurance Documentation, Leadership, Legal, Licensing, Licensing Compliance, Maintain Compliance, Operations Processes, Organizational Skills, Performance Metrics, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Project/Program Management, Regulations, Regulatory Requirements, Regulatory Submissions, Reporting Dashboards, Risk, Risk Analysis, Risk Management, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Strategic Planning, Team Player, Technical Operations, Time Management, Trend Analysis, Willing to Travel
Role Overview
Sodexo Live! is seeking a Senior Manager, Licensing & Permits to join our Global Aviation team.
This is a remote position with Eastern Standard Time working hours required.
Venues and events don’t just bring people together, they create exceptional moments and lasting memories. Sodexo Live! provides hospitality services to airport lounges, stadiums, arenas, convention and conference centers, zoos, museums, and more. Working at one of these locations is exciting and allows you to be part of creating memorable experiences for people.
The Senior Manager, Licensing & Permits is responsible for leading and strengthening the Licenses & Permits compliance across the North America (NorAm) Aviation portfolio. This role oversees regulatory compliance processes related to Liquor Licenses, Business Licenses, Health Permits, Privilege Permits, Certificate of Insurance (COI) and related operational requirements while driving operational discipline, risk mitigation, audit readiness, and executive-level reporting.
What You'll Do
Compliance Program Leadership
- Lead and continuously improve the end-to-end licensing and permitting compliance program for Liquor License, Business Licenses, Health Permits, Privilege Permits, Certificate of Insurance, and related regulatory requirements across the Aviation segment.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to Operations leadership on compliance risks, mitigation strategies, escalations, and operational readiness.
- Drive accountability and operational discipline through proactive monitoring, reporting, and leadership engagement.
Regulatory & Permit Management
- Oversee permits and licenses renewals, audits, COI renewals, port requests, and regulatory submissions to maintain full operational compliance.
- Ensure timely submissions, renewals, and issue resolution across all locations.
- Maintain audit-ready documentation and centralized compliance records.
Cross-Functional Partnership
- Lead biweekly compliance reviews with lounge General Managers (GMs) and District Managers (DMs) to evaluate current and upcoming compliance targets.
- Partner closely with Legal, NorAm Licensing, Operations, Finance, HR, and external agencies to coordinate compliance activities and resolve escalations.
- Coordinate with Finance on port fee payments, submissions, and compliance-related financial tracking.
Compliance Operations & Reporting
- Own and continuously enhance the Risk Registry, licenses and permits compliance tracking tools (Smartsheet, SoFi, and future enterprise systems).
- Monitor compliance trends, identify risks proactively, and escalate issues to senior leadership as appropriate.
- Develop executive-ready reporting, dashboards, KPIs, and operational summaries.
Training & Change Management
- Co-lead monthly Compliance Office Hours and oversee Teams channel engagement and support.
- Support and enhance HMF (Hospitality Management Fundamentals) Licenses & Permits compliance training course.
- Develop communication materials, SOPs, process documentation, and operational guidance.
Strategic Initiatives & Continuous Improvement
- Support integration of compliance data into enterprise analytics initiatives, including the Data Cube.
- Identify automation opportunities and help evolve the compliance function toward scalable, technology-enabled operations.
- Participate in special projects related to operational excellence, governance, and risk management.
What We Offer
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
What You Bring
- 3-5 years of experience in compliance, licensing, operations, contract administration, program management or a related field.
- The ability to partner closely with Operations, Legal, Finance, HR and external agencies to ensure timely renewals, regulatory alignment, and proactive management of compliance risk across all locations.
- Solid computer skills and knowledge of reporting automation, process improvement and enterprise analytics platforms.
- Strong organizational & collaboration skills and the ability to manage multiple complex compliance initiatives.
- Ability to travel for occasional meetings, travel audits, etc.
- Proactive mindset.
Who We Are
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
Qualifications & Requirements
Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience - 3-5 yearsMinimum Functional Experience - 3-5 years of experience in contracting or related experience