Director of Design & Construction JN -092026-181170

Are you a hands-on design and construction leader who can take a restaurant concept from prototype through opening while finding smarter ways to reduce cost and complexity? This is an opportunity to lead design, construction, reimaging, and FF&E across a growing multi-unit restaurant system while directly influencing how the brand builds for the future.

Key responsibilities
Key responsibilities will include personally developing and modifying restaurant concepts, floor plans, elevations, exterior treatments, finishes, and presentation materials rather than simply overseeing outside design partners. You will lead prototype and reimage development, challenge construction costs and specifications, oversee franchise plan approvals, manage the development pipeline from permitting through opening, and hold internal and external partners accountable for budget, schedule, quality, and execution.

Director Of Design & Construction Benefits And Compensation

Base salary: $150,000-180,000

Executive-level leadership opportunity reporting directly to the Chief Development Officer

Hybrid work schedule based in Tampa, Florida

Leadership responsibility for Construction Managers and Equipment/FF&E functions

Opportunity to directly influence restaurant prototypes, remodels, reimages, conversions, and new development

High-visibility role with significant ownership over capital investment, project execution, and development strategy

Travel required

Director Of Design & Construction Requirements & Qualifications

8-12+ years of progressive experience within restaurant, retail, hospitality, or another multi-unit development environment

Demonstrated leadership experience spanning both design and construction

Strong restaurant design portfolio including architecture, interiors, operational flow, constructability, prototype development, and remodel/reimage work

Current hands-on proficiency with AutoCAD and SketchUp or comparable design and 3D visualization platforms

Proven success with value engineering and design optimization, including measurable capital savings implemented in actual construction projects

Strong knowledge of construction budgeting, estimating, bidding, scheduling, change orders, project close-out, equipment, FF&E, and procurement

Experience managing multiple simultaneous projects across geographically dispersed locations

Experience directly leading Construction and/or Procurement teams

Ability to travel as required

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred

Director Of Design & Construction Preferred Background & Skills

Experience within a franchise restaurant system

Strong background developing and evolving restaurant prototypes and scalable reimage programs

Experience working directly with franchisees, architects, engineers, general contractors, and suppliers

Strong understanding of kitchen equipment, furniture, fixtures, lighting, décor, signage, and restaurant FF&E

Experience establishing KPIs around project schedules, budgets, change orders, plan approvals, procurement, and value engineering

Ability to balance brand standards with constructability, operational functionality, guest experience, and investment requirements

Commercial mindset with the ability to challenge legacy specifications and simplify expensive or overly complex designs

Comfortable moving between hands-on design work and executive-level leadership, including reviewing plans, challenging budgets, leading pipeline meetings, and solving procurement issues

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