Position Overview:
The Senior Project Manager, Construction & Development serves as the primary project leader responsible for overseeing the execution of new restaurant construction, renovations, capital improvement projects, and facility development initiatives across the company and its portfolio of concepts.
This role is highly hands-on and field-oriented, ensuring projects are executed safely, efficiently, on budget, on schedule, and in alignment with operational and brand standards. The Senior Project Manager acts as the central point of coordination between Operations, Development, architects, designers, contractors, vendors, landlords, municipalities, and Executive Leadership throughout all phases of development and construction.
Key Responsibilities:
Construction & Project Management
- Lead all phases of new restaurant construction, remodels, renovations, relocations, and capital improvement projects across the organization.
- Oversee project execution from initial planning, permitting, and bidding through construction completion, turnover, and operational launch.
- Manage project schedules, construction timelines, budgets, and vendor performance while maintaining accountability for project outcomes.
- Conduct regular site visits and field inspections to monitor construction progress, workmanship quality, safety compliance, and adherence to brand standards.
Budgeting, Cost Control & Financial Oversight
- Develop and manage project budgets, forecasts, capital expenditure tracking, and financial reporting.
- Review bids, proposals, contracts, change orders, invoices, and project-related expenses for accuracy and budget alignment.
- Monitor construction costs and identify opportunities for savings, efficiencies, and value engineering.
- Track project financial performance and proactively communicate budget risks and variances.
Development & Pre-Construction Planning
- Partner with Development and Executive Leadership on project planning, feasibility reviews, and construction strategy.
- Collaborate with architects, engineers, designers, consultants, and contractors throughout project design and development phases.
- Review plans, drawings, specifications, and construction documents to ensure operational functionality, cost efficiency, and alignment with brand standards.
Executive Communication & Stakeholder Management
- Serve as the primary communication liaison between project teams, operations leadership, ownership, and executive leadership throughout all phases of development and construction.
- Provide proactive, concise, and timely updates regarding project status, budget performance, schedule adherence, project risks, permitting challenges, and key milestones.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships across Operations, Development, Finance, and external project partners.
Vendor, Contractor & Relationship Management
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with general contractors, subcontractors, architects, landlords, vendors, consultants, and external partners.
- Hold contractors and vendors accountable for project timelines, workmanship quality, safety standards, and contractual obligations.
- Coordinate communication among contractors, consultants, operations teams, and leadership to ensure alignment throughout project execution.
Facilities & Operational Support
- Support ongoing facility maintenance initiatives and operational repair projects across existing locations.
- Partner with Operations to prioritize repair needs, capital improvements, and facility enhancement projects.
- Ensure all construction and renovation projects support operational functionality, guest experience, and brand standards.
Compliance, Safety & Risk Management
- Ensure all projects comply with applicable building codes, safety standards, ADA requirements, health department regulations, landlord requirements, and company expectations.
- Maintain organized project documentation, permits, contracts, warranties, inspections, and compliance records.
- Identify and proactively mitigate project risks that could impact safety, budgets, schedules, or operational readiness.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or a related field preferred
- 7+ years of progressive construction, development, project management, or facilities leadership experience
- Multi-unit restaurant, hospitality, retail, or commercial construction experience strongly preferred
- Experience managing new builds, remodels, renovations, relocations, and capital improvement projects
- Strong understanding of permitting, construction sequencing, budgeting, scheduling, and contractor management
- Experience reading and interpreting construction drawings, plans, specifications, and contracts
- Proficiency with project management software, budgeting tools, and construction reporting systems preferred
- Ability to travel frequently between project sites and restaurant locations as needed
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, and optional life, disability, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet insurance—effective the first of the month after 60 days of full-time employment.
- 401K plus company match*
- Paid Time Off
- Employee Discount
- Company-paid Employee Parking
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to alternate between sitting and standing for up to 10 hours. Position requires prolonged sitting, bending, stooping, twisting, reaching overhead, and lifting products and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds, with occasional lifting and/or moving of items up to 50 pounds, as well as repetitive hand and wrist motion.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with this job and can be updated at anytime with or without notice. Scheduled hours vary by training and recruitment needs, including necessary adjustments made during high and low seasonal changes. Travel up to 100% to field locations and corporate office. Potentially including late nights, weekends and holidays. On-call required. The successful candidate must be able to pass a background check with our company, and be insured with a valid driver’s license.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal treatment of all employees without regard to race, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or other basis protected by law. While we are committed to following this principle in every facet of employment, all employees share in the responsibility to promote and foster a favorable work environment.
Pay: $125,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
