Job Description

The Director of Construction leads a Construction Team consisting of an internal team consisting of two construction managers, a construction purchasing manager, a construction coordinator, and multiple 3rd party consultants including architects, engineers, and development consultants. This team oversees all construction related activities/projects and ensures that all Restaurants are constructed in accordance with the approved construction drawings and brand expectations. The Director of Construction is responsible for applying effective management techniques to the planning, design and construction phases of a new Restaurant project from inception to completion for the purpose of controlling cost, schedule, and quality. The Director is expected to create and utilize management and technology systems to promote the successful execution and completion of all construction projects and to promote effective coordination and communication between Real Estate, Legal, the Restaurant NRO Team, Operations Services, IT, Marketing, Supply Chain, Facilities, and the Development Team. Preferred Ground Up Restaurant Construction Director Experience.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Enable our Purpose to create lifelong memories by igniting the senses with unrivaled food and experiences:

Family: Work together to make everyone feel at home, and we step up when someone needs help

Greatness: We’re obsessed with being the best and work hard to continuously improve. Our greatness is rooted in Quality, Service, Attitude and Cleanliness

Energy: We move with urgency and passion, while maintaining attention to detail

Fun: We entertain our guests, we connect authentically, and we make each other smile

Resource Strategy, Planning & Communication :

• Coaches, sets clear expectations of success, and holds accountable our Team Members and 3rd party resources

• Manages Development schedules and Construction cost estimates

• Applies effective techniques to develop and maintain the highest level of communication with all parties

Pre-Construction Phase :

• Responsible for all permitting activities and for communicating progress in partnership with our development consultants

• Responsible for due diligence activities on the timeline that allows Portillo’s Hot Dogs to open the sites in our Development Pipeline. This includes but not limited to surveys, civil engineering, geotechnical and environmental assessments, and traffic studies

• Responsible for the timely applications for Planning and Zoning activities in coordination with Real Estate, architects, civil engineers, and our development consultants

• Reviews project specific documents and contracts to fully comprehend project requirements

• Works with Real Estate to determine project specific scope and tenant / landlord scopes of work

• Oversees the refinement of construction project budgets

• Responsible for development of proposed Master Schedules (including milestone events)

• Manages Construction Document Review & Approval

• Supervises the procurement processes for all construction materials and the delineation of responsibility within the responsibility matrix for each construction project

• Conducts constructability reviews

• Oversees bid review/qualification and final contract preparation/recommendation

• Initiates and implements Value Engineering opportunities

Construction Phase:

• Monitor all General Contractors’ construction performance and accountability

• Conducts annual Performance Reviews with all GCs and strategic suppliers of materials and services

• Ensures periodic construction inspections occur at critical milestone events to confirm compliance with schedule & quality expectations

• Develops and maintains strong lines of communications with all stakeholders: Construction, Equipment Vendors, NRO team and Operations.

• Reviews and recommends approval of General Contractor pay applications

• Manages the receipt of Certificates of Occupancy in coordination with the general contractor and the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

• Oversees the Restaurant “Turn-Over” to Operations at the completion of each project

• Monitors successful and timely completion of “punch list” work for all Restaurants in partnership with Operations

• Develops department G&A budgets and monitors performance to plan

• Conducts weekly status update meetings with Construction Team and Contractors/Vendors

Post-Construction Phase:

• Applies analysis to provide timely assessment of results including opportunities to improve cost, schedule, and quality

• Obtains feedback from the NRO Team and Restaurant Operations on areas to sustain and improve

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS

The Director of Construction works with Real Estate, Legal, Operations Services, Operations, Talent, Risk Management, Asset Protection, Accounts Payable, Supply Chain, and our vendor partners.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Educational Level/Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field

Minimum Work Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• 7-10 years of experience in restaurant design and construction
• Proven ability to balance the workload of an aggressive Development Pipeline
• Communicate Clearly with outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Must be proficient in MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook
• Exceptional organization skills, and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated ability to think critically, strategically and successfully execute project plans
• Proven self-starter who sets aggressive plans and consistently meets the challenge
• Ability to adapt to changing business environments, solve problems, and take advantage of opportunities to minimize project costs, maintain production, and construction schedules.
• Possess a strong customer service background

Travel Requirement

• Frequent overnight, out of state travel is required up to 60% of the year
• Regular travel within the greater Chicago area with company fleet car

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Educational Level/Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field

Work Experience and Qualification

• 7-10 years of restaurant design and construction experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Organized project management skills
• Strong Communication skills
• Presentation skills
• Business Acumen

Note

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, duties and skills required. The incumbent may be expected to perform other duties as assigned. This job may be reviewed as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity.

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