Director of Construction

Job Title: Director of Construction

Reports To: VP of Design and Construction

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $150,000-$175,000

Location: Remote - TX, CO, IL, or AZ preferred

Summary:

At Mendocino Farms, we don’t just sell sandwiches – we Sell Happy!

As the Director of Construction, you will oversee the project management and delivery of new restaurant builds and renovation projects for Mendocino Farms restaurants. This role plays a key part in expanding our brand and entering new markets, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, while meeting the best-in-class standards that define our brand. Based in our El Segundo office or remotely, you will join a talented team and work closely with various internal departments and external partners to help us grow. You will also directly manage and develop a team of Construction Managers responsible for executing projects from start to finish, while taking ownership of select projects as needed in our all-hands, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management:

• Directly manage a team of Construction Managers, providing coaching, performance feedback, and career development opportunities
• Set clear expectations and lead by example to ensure the team meets project milestones and goals
• Directly manage select projects as needed, demonstrating flexibility and a hands-on approach in a fast-paced environment
• Manage external vendors and contractors to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and with the desired quality

Project & Construction Oversight:

• Oversee project budgets and schedules, working with internal and external teams to ensure milestones are achieved and resources are effectively allocated. Analyze change orders for all projects and provide feedback to team and consultants to continuously improve and reduce future spend.
• Collaborate with architects, designers, and permit expeditors and monitor the permitting and approval process to ensure site conditions are anticipated, brand standards are met, and delays are minimized
• Monitor contractor performance to ensure the project stays on track and meets the expected quality and timelines
• Ensure smooth hand-offs from construction to the facilities and operations teams upon completion with proactive and unwavering attention to immediate issue resolution

Financial Management & Budgeting:

• Prepare budget and scope proposals for approval and manage costs throughout construction, looking for opportunities to stay on budget without compromising quality
• Work with project management platform to track project costs, create capital expenditure reports, forecast future needs, and maintain financial transparency across all projects
• Review and approve invoices from contractors, vendors, and suppliers

Quality Control & Risk Management:

• Ensure that each project meets the company’s high standards for quality, materials, and craftsmanship
• Monitor compliance with local building codes, safety regulations, and environmental standards
• Identify and mitigate risks early in the project to avoid issues with budget, schedule, or quality

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with internal teams (Operations, Marketing, and Real Estate) to ensure construction projects align with business needs and strategic goals
• Maintain open and frequent communication between all stakeholders, ensuring clear expectations and smooth execution throughout the project lifecycle

Project Closure & Reconciliation:

• Manage the project close-out process, ensuring final budgets are reconciled, reviews are conducted, and all documentation is complete
• Conduct site inspections and resolve any remaining issues, including punch lists and warranty concerns
• Perform post-project analysis to identify opportunities for process improvements in future projects

Requirements:

• 7+ years of construction management experience, including managing multiple projects simultaneously; multi-unit restaurant or retail experience is preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred, but extensive relevant experience will be considered in lieu of formal education
• A resilient, self-motivated individual with commitment to putting in the necessary time and effort to successfully fulfill the responsibilities of the role, ensuring projects are completed on schedule and to the highest standards in a fast-paced, high pressure growth environment
• Ability to travel up to 50% to support projects on-site and evaluate potential real estate
• Strong leadership skills with proven experience managing direct reports, motivating and guiding teams toward successful project completion
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Experience with Procore project management platform is ideal but not necessary
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Benefits include:

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Sick Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bonus Program
• Parking & Transit Reimbursement
• Discounted tickets through Tickets at Work
• Pet Insurance
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• Free and delicious Mendo Meals

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds
• Sitting and standing for 6-8 hours
• Frequent bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching as needed on construction sites