Director of Construction - Restaurant Group (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Willow Tree Recruiting, Rancho Santa Margarita, California, United States, 92688
Director of Construction – Restaurant Group
$160,000 - $175,000 + Bonus
Company: Well-established, growing, and profitable fast-food and fast-casual, multi-brand restaurant group Successful multi-brand franchise with restaurant locations in several states
Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance ST/LT disability and life insurance PTO, Sick Pay, and Paid Company Holidays Bonus eligible Employee Assistance Program On-site gym with personal trainer Pet friendly office Snacks and refreshments in office
The Director of Construction will be responsible
for leading and overseeing all construction and development activities for franchise-owned locations. This role focuses on managing third-party contractors, developing internal staff, and driving strategic growth across multiple markets. Responsibilities include: Oversee all phases of construction projects, from feasibility and design through permitting, build-out, and completion, while managing budgets, schedules, and quality standards Evaluate proposed sites for constructability, zoning, utilities, traffic flow, and alignment with brand design and operational requirements Lead design coordination with architects, engineers, and cross-functional partners to ensure site plans meet brand guidelines, code requirements, ADA standards, and operational needs Direct the permitting process and ensure full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including environmental, health, and safety requirements Select, negotiate, and manage contractors, architects, engineers, and suppliers, establishing clear performance expectations and accountability Build and lead a high-performing construction team, supporting project managers and collaborating with administrative partners to streamline scheduling, documentation, and communication Partner closely with real estate, operations, finance, design, and marketing teams to align construction timelines with broader business objectives and mitigate risks related to cost, delays, and compliance
Qualifications / Skills: 7+ years of experience in construction management and/or franchise development leadership Proven experience leading multi-state construction projects and managing third-party contractors, ideally within QSR or multi-unit commercial environments Strong leadership skills with a track record of developing teams, managing regional project managers, and driving cross-functional alignment Deep technical knowledge of building codes, permitting, site development, and restaurant-specific requirements (including HVAC, kitchen layouts, and operational workflows), with proficiency in project management software and financial systems Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills, paired with strong financial acumen, initiative, and adaptability in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment Must be able to travel frequently
(15%)
for market visits and work from the corporate office as needed to support project demands
EOE – EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Company: Well-established, growing, and profitable fast-food and fast-casual, multi-brand restaurant group Successful multi-brand franchise with restaurant locations in several states
Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance ST/LT disability and life insurance PTO, Sick Pay, and Paid Company Holidays Bonus eligible Employee Assistance Program On-site gym with personal trainer Pet friendly office Snacks and refreshments in office
The Director of Construction will be responsible
for leading and overseeing all construction and development activities for franchise-owned locations. This role focuses on managing third-party contractors, developing internal staff, and driving strategic growth across multiple markets. Responsibilities include: Oversee all phases of construction projects, from feasibility and design through permitting, build-out, and completion, while managing budgets, schedules, and quality standards Evaluate proposed sites for constructability, zoning, utilities, traffic flow, and alignment with brand design and operational requirements Lead design coordination with architects, engineers, and cross-functional partners to ensure site plans meet brand guidelines, code requirements, ADA standards, and operational needs Direct the permitting process and ensure full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including environmental, health, and safety requirements Select, negotiate, and manage contractors, architects, engineers, and suppliers, establishing clear performance expectations and accountability Build and lead a high-performing construction team, supporting project managers and collaborating with administrative partners to streamline scheduling, documentation, and communication Partner closely with real estate, operations, finance, design, and marketing teams to align construction timelines with broader business objectives and mitigate risks related to cost, delays, and compliance
Qualifications / Skills: 7+ years of experience in construction management and/or franchise development leadership Proven experience leading multi-state construction projects and managing third-party contractors, ideally within QSR or multi-unit commercial environments Strong leadership skills with a track record of developing teams, managing regional project managers, and driving cross-functional alignment Deep technical knowledge of building codes, permitting, site development, and restaurant-specific requirements (including HVAC, kitchen layouts, and operational workflows), with proficiency in project management software and financial systems Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills, paired with strong financial acumen, initiative, and adaptability in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment Must be able to travel frequently
(15%)
for market visits and work from the corporate office as needed to support project demands
EOE – EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER