Job SummaryThe Vice President of Development will serve as the operational leader of the Development Department and manage the development program from initial site evaluation and due diligence through entitlements, design, procurement, construction, closeout, and turnover to Operations.
Reporting directly to the Chief Development Officer, this leader will translate the company's growth strategy into an organized, accountable, and results-driven development program. The role owns departmental priorities, team performance, project execution, capital budgets, schedules, consultant and contractor performance, and cross-functional coordination.
By assuming responsibility for the department's day-to-day leadership and execution, this position will enable the Chief Development Officer to focus on broader business strategy, market expansion, capital planning, executive relationships, and long-term organizational growth.
Supervisory Responsibilities:- Provide leadership, direction, and oversight to the Development Department, including the Director of Construction, Construction Managers, Procurement Manager and other direct and indirect team members responsible for development, construction, procurement, and related project functions.
- Translate the Chief Development Officer's business strategy into organized, measurable execution through clear priorities, accountable owners, defined milestones, and timely follow-through.
Duties/Responsibilities:Department Leadership and Management- Lead the day-to-day operations of the Development Department and convert strategic objectives into actionable plans, priorities, schedules, and deliverables.
- Provide direct leadership, coaching, and performance management to the Director of Construction and oversee the assignments, priorities, and professional development of the broader team.
- Establish clear roles, decision authority, accountability, and escalation protocols throughout the department.
- Conduct regular department meetings, project reviews, and performance discussions; evaluate workload and recommend staffing or external resources based on the development pipeline.
- Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, responsiveness, safety, and continuous improvement.
Development Program Oversight- Oversee the complete development lifecycle, including due diligence, entitlements, permitting, design, pre-construction, bidding, procurement, construction, closeout, and turnover to Operations.
- Maintain executive-level visibility into active and planned projects and ensure each project has an approved scope, budget, schedule, and accountable project leader and clear reporting of opening dates, risks and key decisions.
- Oversee ground-up construction, conversions, relocations, remodels, refreshes, equipment upgrades, and other capital projects across multiple brands and jurisdictions.
- Identify and communicate cost, schedule, quality, entitlement, and operational risks early, together with practical mitigation plans.
- Lead the development and execution of annual and multi-year new-store and capital improvement planning in partnership with the Chief Development Officer and executive leadership.
Pre-Construction, Due Diligence, and Entitlements- Oversee site due diligence, including zoning, access, utilities, environmental conditions, geotechnical investigations, surveys, title matters, easements, and related site-development considerations.
- Direct entitlement, permitting, and governmental approval strategies, including conditional use permits, design review approvals, variances, environmental reviews, and building permits.
- Coordinate with city planners, building departments, public agencies, local jurisdictions, and utility providers.
- Represent the company, when necessary, before Design Review Boards, Planning Commissions, City Councils, and other governmental bodies.
- Ensure projects comply with applicable building codes, Title 24, ADA standards, utility requirements, green-building requirements, and franchise brand specifications.
Design and Consultant Management- Oversee the selection, contracting, performance, and accountability of architects, engineers, surveyors, environmental and geotechnical consultants, and other professional service providers.
- Lead design coordination, scope reviews, constructability reviews, and value-engineering efforts.
- Establish consistent consultant scopes, project deliverables, drawing-review standards, and document-control requirements.
- Resolve significant design and coordination issues before they affect construction cost or schedule.
Construction Management- Provide executive oversight from contractor bidding through construction completion and operational turnover.
- Ensure Construction Managers hold general contractors and vendors accountable for safety, quality, cost, schedule, documentation, and contract performance.
- Review project progress, change orders, schedule delays, field conditions, and quality-control issues; support resolution of significant disputes and delays.
- Ensure inspections, certificates of occupancy, punch lists, warranty documents, lien releases, and closeout packages are completed promptly.
- Conduct project-site visits and coordinate readiness for equipment installation, employee training, inspections, and restaurant opening.
Procurement and Vendor Management- Oversee the Procurement Manager and purchasing of owner-furnished materials, furniture, fixtures, equipment, signage, and other development-related items.
- Establish procurement schedules aligned with construction milestones and restaurant-opening dates.
- Implement competitive bidding and vendor-selection practices; negotiate pricing, terms, production schedules, delivery requirements, and service expectations.
- Monitor long-lead items and supply-chain risks and identify opportunities to consolidate purchasing and negotiate preferred pricing.
Budget, Schedule, and Executive Reporting- Oversee project budgets, forecasts, commitments, invoices, change orders, and final project costs.
- Maintain a consolidated development pipeline and master schedules for all active and planned projects.
- Provide clear reporting to the Chief Development Officer and executive leadership regarding project status, anticipated openings, capital requirements, risks, and required decisions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Process Improvement- Partner with Real Estate, Operations, Legal, Finance, Information Technology, Facilities, Human Resources, and other departments throughout the development process.
- Provide development and technical input during site evaluation and the review or negotiation of purchase agreements, leases, development agreements, landlord work letters, and delivery requirements in coordination with Real Estate and Legal.
- Coordinate franchise approvals and build effective relationships with landlords, developers, consultants, contractors, suppliers, municipalities, and utility providers.
- Develop standard operating procedures, project checklists, workflows, dashboards, key performance indicators, reporting formats, and document-control standards.
- Perform other duties and strategic assignments as directed by the Chief Development Officer.
Required Skills/Abilities:- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in restaurant, retail, commercial, or multi-unit real estate development.
- At least 5 years of experience leading development, pre-construction, design, construction, procurement, or related project teams.
- Demonstrated success overseeing multiple development projects across different geographic markets and jurisdictions.
- Comprehensive knowledge of due diligence, entitlements, permitting, design, bidding, procurement, construction, closeout, and operational turnover.
- Experience managing project budgets, capital forecasts, contracts, schedules, change orders, and cost reporting.
- Ability to manage architects, engineers, consultants, general contractors, vendors, and suppliers.
- Ability to interpret construction drawings, site plans, consultant reports, contracts, budgets, lease requirements, and project schedules.
- Ability to represent the company professionally before governmental bodies, public agencies, and other external stakeholders when required.
- Excellent leadership, executive communication, negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly by automobile and air.
Preferred Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, Real Estate, Urban Planning, Business Administration, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Experience leading multi-unit restaurant or retail development in a franchise environment and across multiple brands or prototypes.
- Experience with ground-up development, conversions, remodels, relocations, and capital improvement projects.
- Strong working knowledge of California entitlements, environmental reviews, permitting, Title 24, ADA requirements, and green-building codes.
- Experience representing a developer at public hearings and negotiating development agreements, leases, work letters, consultant agreements, and construction contracts.
- Experience building or improving a Development Department during a period of organizational growth.
Physical Requirements:- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Ability to visit active construction sites and navigate uneven, unfinished, or outdoor areas.
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
- Must be able to access company offices, restaurant locations, and project sites.
In-Office and Travel Requirements:- This is an in-office leadership position based at the company's office in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. The Vice President of Development is expected to maintain a regular in-office presence to lead the team, coordinate with business partners, and participate in executive and departmental meetings.
- Approximately 30% to 40% overnight travel is anticipated. Travel may include active and prospective project sites, company markets, franchise brand meetings, governmental and public-agency meetings, consultant and contractor meetings, site walks, inspections, and project turnovers. Travel may increase temporarily based on project activity or market expansion.
