Director of Construction (Metro Detroit)
Heirloom Hospitality, Detroit, MI, United States
The Director of Construction will own the execution and continuous improvement of Heirloom Hospitality’s construction program across the United States.
This role will lead the successful delivery of a flagship restaurant opening in 2026 and transition into overseeing multiple concurrent projects in 2027 and beyond. The Director will be responsible not only for delivering projects at a high level, but also for building the systems, standards, and partner network required to scale construction across markets without compromising quality.
This individual will serve as both a hands-on project leader and a strategic operator—capable of driving day-to-day execution while building the foundation for a best-in-class, scalable construction program. This role is designed to evolve into a future Head of Construction and reports directly to the CEO.
Core Responsibilities
Project Execution Ownership (Flagship – 2026)
Serve as owner’s representative with full accountability for project delivery Lead all phases from pre-construction through turnover Own schedule, budget, and quality outcomes—no delegation of accountability Collaborate with architects, designers, engineers, and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with brand vision and operational requirements Maintain daily visibility into progress and proactively resolve issues Ensure all permitting, inspections, and regulatory requirements are met Multi-Project Leadership (2027 Expansion)
Oversee multiple restaurant construction projects across different U.S. markets Balance competing priorities without compromising execution or quality Ensure consistency in timelines, reporting, and brand standards across all projects Partner with real estate, operations, and leadership teams to align construction timelines with business goals Construction Systems & Standardization
Develop and implement repeatable construction processes, including: Scheduling frameworks Budget templates and cost tracking systems Reporting structures and dashboards Project delivery playbooks Establish scalable systems to support rapid, multi-market growth Implement and enforce construction best practices across all projects Contractor & Vendor Strategy
Vet, select, negotiate, and manage general contractors, trades, and vendors Build a high-performing, repeatable national vendor network Establish accountability standards, performance tracking, and preferred partnerships Lead procurement strategy and contract execution Schedule & Risk Management
Own and enforce project schedules and critical path milestones Identify risks early and take decisive action to mitigate them Eliminate surprises through proactive planning and communication Ensure consistent execution across all active projects Financial Oversight
Own budgets, forecasts, and cost control across all projects Scrutinize and approve change orders, invoices, and capital allocation decisions Ensure financial transparency, reporting accuracy, and accountability Deliver projects on time and on budget Quality & Brand Execution
Ensure all projects meet Heirloom’s elevated design, detail, and hospitality standards Translate design intent into consistent, high-quality field execution Conduct regular site visits to monitor progress, quality, and safety compliance Uphold meticulous attention to detail aligned with brand expectations Executive Communication & Leadership
Provide clear, structured weekly updates to executive leadership Maintain real-time awareness of all active projects Escalate risks early with solutions—not just problems Serve as the internal leader for construction across the organization Success Metrics
Flagship project delivered on time, on budget, and at brand standard Successful execution of multiple 2027 openings with consistency and predictability No material surprises to leadership Development of repeatable, scalable construction systems Strong, accountable contractor and vendor network Qualifications
8–12+ years of construction project management experience Proven experience delivering hospitality, restaurant, or high-end commercial projects Demonstrated success managing multiple concurrent projects across markets Strong expertise in budgeting, scheduling, contracts, and construction processes Experience vetting, negotiating, and managing contractors and vendors Familiarity with permitting and regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field (preferred) Skills & Competencies
Ownership-driven mindset with strong accountability Exceptional organizational and program management skills Ability to operate both strategically and tactically Strong leadership and communication abilities High attention to detail with a commitment to quality Proactive problem-solving and risk management Alignment with Heirloom’s Core Values and passion for hospitality environments Working Conditions
Frequent travel required (up to 50%+ during peak construction periods) Combination of office-based work and on-site project oversight
About Heirloom Hospitality Heirloom Hospitality Group is one of Michigan's preeminent restaurant and hospitality companies, emerging from Detroit’s ongoing renaissance. We develop, own, and operate world-class venues that push the boundaries of guest expectations across food, beverage, design, and service—delivering one-of-a-kind experiences.
Purpose:
Cultivating relationships through the fanatic pursuit of hospitality
Core Values: Consistently care about the smallest details Be kind, be happy Own it with pride Willingness to learn and teach Every Second Counts
This role will lead the successful delivery of a flagship restaurant opening in 2026 and transition into overseeing multiple concurrent projects in 2027 and beyond. The Director will be responsible not only for delivering projects at a high level, but also for building the systems, standards, and partner network required to scale construction across markets without compromising quality.
This individual will serve as both a hands-on project leader and a strategic operator—capable of driving day-to-day execution while building the foundation for a best-in-class, scalable construction program. This role is designed to evolve into a future Head of Construction and reports directly to the CEO.
Core Responsibilities
Project Execution Ownership (Flagship – 2026)
Serve as owner’s representative with full accountability for project delivery Lead all phases from pre-construction through turnover Own schedule, budget, and quality outcomes—no delegation of accountability Collaborate with architects, designers, engineers, and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with brand vision and operational requirements Maintain daily visibility into progress and proactively resolve issues Ensure all permitting, inspections, and regulatory requirements are met Multi-Project Leadership (2027 Expansion)
Oversee multiple restaurant construction projects across different U.S. markets Balance competing priorities without compromising execution or quality Ensure consistency in timelines, reporting, and brand standards across all projects Partner with real estate, operations, and leadership teams to align construction timelines with business goals Construction Systems & Standardization
Develop and implement repeatable construction processes, including: Scheduling frameworks Budget templates and cost tracking systems Reporting structures and dashboards Project delivery playbooks Establish scalable systems to support rapid, multi-market growth Implement and enforce construction best practices across all projects Contractor & Vendor Strategy
Vet, select, negotiate, and manage general contractors, trades, and vendors Build a high-performing, repeatable national vendor network Establish accountability standards, performance tracking, and preferred partnerships Lead procurement strategy and contract execution Schedule & Risk Management
Own and enforce project schedules and critical path milestones Identify risks early and take decisive action to mitigate them Eliminate surprises through proactive planning and communication Ensure consistent execution across all active projects Financial Oversight
Own budgets, forecasts, and cost control across all projects Scrutinize and approve change orders, invoices, and capital allocation decisions Ensure financial transparency, reporting accuracy, and accountability Deliver projects on time and on budget Quality & Brand Execution
Ensure all projects meet Heirloom’s elevated design, detail, and hospitality standards Translate design intent into consistent, high-quality field execution Conduct regular site visits to monitor progress, quality, and safety compliance Uphold meticulous attention to detail aligned with brand expectations Executive Communication & Leadership
Provide clear, structured weekly updates to executive leadership Maintain real-time awareness of all active projects Escalate risks early with solutions—not just problems Serve as the internal leader for construction across the organization Success Metrics
Flagship project delivered on time, on budget, and at brand standard Successful execution of multiple 2027 openings with consistency and predictability No material surprises to leadership Development of repeatable, scalable construction systems Strong, accountable contractor and vendor network Qualifications
8–12+ years of construction project management experience Proven experience delivering hospitality, restaurant, or high-end commercial projects Demonstrated success managing multiple concurrent projects across markets Strong expertise in budgeting, scheduling, contracts, and construction processes Experience vetting, negotiating, and managing contractors and vendors Familiarity with permitting and regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field (preferred) Skills & Competencies
Ownership-driven mindset with strong accountability Exceptional organizational and program management skills Ability to operate both strategically and tactically Strong leadership and communication abilities High attention to detail with a commitment to quality Proactive problem-solving and risk management Alignment with Heirloom’s Core Values and passion for hospitality environments Working Conditions
Frequent travel required (up to 50%+ during peak construction periods) Combination of office-based work and on-site project oversight
About Heirloom Hospitality Heirloom Hospitality Group is one of Michigan's preeminent restaurant and hospitality companies, emerging from Detroit’s ongoing renaissance. We develop, own, and operate world-class venues that push the boundaries of guest expectations across food, beverage, design, and service—delivering one-of-a-kind experiences.
Purpose:
Cultivating relationships through the fanatic pursuit of hospitality
Core Values: Consistently care about the smallest details Be kind, be happy Own it with pride Willingness to learn and teach Every Second Counts