Director of Development

Confidential; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a Director of Development to lead planning, design, and execution of new openings, remodels, and capital projects in our growing restaurant portfolio. You will oversee from site evaluation to opening, ensuring on-time delivery, staying within budget, and alignment with operational requirements.

You will manage cross-functional teams, coordinate with operations and culinary, and maintain brand standards across all locations. Travel up to 20% is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive restaurant/hospitality development experience.
• Strong understanding of construction, permitting, architecture and interior design.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development process for all new openings, remodels, and capital projects.
• Develop and manage project schedules from lease execution through opening.
• Establish project priorities while balancing multiple developments.
• Identify risks and proactively develop solutions to maintain timelines.
• Oversee project budgets and capital expenditures.
• Lead interior design to preserve each restaurant's identity.
• Ensure brand standards consistency across locations.
• Review design packages, FF&E, finishes, and construction documents.
• Partner with Operations and Culinary teams to ensure design supports guest experience.
• Continuously improve design standards and specifications as the company grows.
• Architecture and Construction Coordination: manage relationships with architects, engineers, consultants, landlords, municipalities, and contractors.
• Coordinate permitting, plan review, and entitlement activities.
• Review construction progress and resolve design issues.
• Ensure compliance with building codes and regulatory requirements.
• Lead, coach, and develop the internal Development team.
• Establish departmental processes and project management standards.
• Build scalable systems to support growth.
• Foster collaboration with accountability and ownership across the team.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Budget management

Risk management

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

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

Tools

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Suite

Lumion

Enscape

Job description

The Director Development is responsible for leading the planning, design, and execution of new developments, renovations, and capital improvement projects across the company's growing portfolio. This role oversees the development process from initial site evaluation through restaurant opening, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and consistent with operational requirements.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the development process for all new openings, remodels, and capital improvement projects
• Develop and manage project schedules from lease execution through opening
• Establish project priorities while balancing multiple developments simultaneously
• Identify risks and proactively develop solutions to maintain project timelines
• Oversee project budgets and capital expenditures
• Lead the company's interior design function while preserving and evolving each restaurant's identity
• Ensure consistency of brand standards across all locations
• Review and approve design packages, material selections, FF&E, finish schedules, and construction documents
• Partner with Operations and Culinary teams to ensure design supports functionality and guest experience
• Continuously improve design standards and specifications as the company grows

Architecture and Construction Coordination

• Manage relationships with architects, engineers, consultants, landlords, municipalities, and contractors
• Coordinate permitting, plan review, and entitlement activities
• Review construction progress and resolve design related issues throughout the build process
• Ensure projects comply with all applicable building codes and regulatory requirements
• Lead, coach, and develop the internal Development team
• Establish departmental processes and project management standards
• Build scalable systems that support continued organizational growth
• Foster collaboration while maintaining accountability and ownership across the team

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field required
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in restaurant, hospitality, retail, or commercial development
• Strong understanding of construction, permitting, architecture, and interior design
• Experience leading cross functional teams
• Excellent organizational, negotiation, and communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Proficient in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and Acrobat), Lumion or Enscape
• Must be willing to travel up to 20-20% of the time as needed
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits available
• Generous and flexible Paid Time Off
• Join a growing organization with rapid opportunity for career growth

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work standing and walking for extended periods of time

This organization provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other federal/state protected category.