Construction Project Manager

Project Manager

For more than 35 years, LENWICH has been redefining the art of sandwich making, one hero at a time. Born and bread in New York City, we're an iconic sandwich brand built on premium ingredients, neighborhood hospitality, and the belief that great food brings people together. As we continue to grow throughout the tri-state area and beyond, disciplined restaurant development and execution are critical to supporting that growth. At LENWICH, we believe great businesses are built by great people. Our team is collaborative, hardworking, and driven by a shared commitment to quality, innovation, and hospitality. Whether we're serving guests in our restaurants, opening new locations, or supporting our teams behind the scenes, we work together to solve problems, move quickly, and continuously improve.

We're looking for a motivated, organized Project Manager who can lead the planning, development, and execution of new restaurant projects from initial site planning and test-fit through design, permitting, construction, closeout, and opening. This role will work closely with internal teams, landlords, architects, engineers, contractors, vendors, and local authorities to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with LENWICH design, operational, and brand standards. You're a strong project leader who brings structure, accountability, and attention to detail to complex development and construction projects. Whether you're coordinating a design team, managing a construction schedule, reviewing a budget, tracking long-lead equipment, or preparing a new restaurant for opening, you stay organized, communicate clearly, and proactively solve problems. You're comfortable balancing multiple priorities, managing external partners, and keeping projects moving in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead new restaurant projects from initial site planning and test-fit through design, permitting, construction, closeout, and opening.
• Develop project scopes, preliminary budgets, cost estimates, project schedules, milestones, and critical path activities in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate cross-functional project requirements across Development, Design, Operations, Finance, Facilities, IT, Marketing, and other internal teams to ensure projects remain aligned and opening requirements are met.
• Coordinate architectural, engineering, consultant, and project deliverables to ensure alignment with operational requirements, brand standards, and budget objectives.
• Serve as the primary project manager and owner representative throughout the development and construction process.
• Manage relationships and performance of architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, millwork, signage, equipment, and other project vendors.
• Support site due diligence and coordinate test-fit layouts, design development, construction documents, and project planning for new locations.
• Review project scopes, plans, specifications, and construction documents to ensure alignment with company standards, operational requirements, and approved budgets.
• Manage general contractors, subcontractors, and vendors to ensure projects remain on schedule, within budget, and consistent with approved plans and specifications.
• Conduct regular jobsite visits, progress meetings, and punch walks to monitor progress, quality, safety, and adherence to plans and specifications.
• Maintain project trackers, schedules, action logs, budgets, and status reports; lead project meetings, document decisions, and maintain accountability for follow-up.
• Review and manage contractor and vendor invoices, change orders, and other project costs; validate costs against approved scopes and budgets and coordinate approvals as needed.
• Monitor critical-path activities and proactively identify schedule risks, delays, and dependencies; develop and implement recovery plans when projects are at risk.
• Manage and track permitting, inspections, utility requirements, and municipal approvals, coordinating with landlords, permit expediters, municipalities, utilities, and other agencies to keep projects on schedule.
• Coordinate procurement and track long-lead equipment, furniture, fixtures, millwork, signage, technology, and other materials required for project completion and opening.
• Develop and manage the transition from construction completion to restaurant opening in partnership with Operations, Facilities, and other internal teams.
• Coordinate punch list completion, final inspections, equipment commissioning, turnover documentation, and warranties; manage post-opening construction and warranty items with contractors and vendors through timely resolution.
• Provide regular project updates to leadership, including schedule, budget, risks, milestones, decisions, and opening readiness.
• Identify opportunities to improve the restaurant prototype, design standards, construction processes, project delivery, and opening procedures. Capture lessons learned and incorporate best practices into future locations.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of project management, construction, architecture, or development experience, preferably within restaurant, retail, hospitality, or other multi-unit environments.
• Experience managing projects from site planning and design through permitting, construction, closeout, and opening.
• Strong understanding of architectural drawings, construction documents, specifications, permitting, and commercial building systems.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage project scopes, budgets, schedules, contractors, vendors, and multiple stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, communication, and follow-through skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Nice to Have

• Experience with restaurant construction, new-store development, remodels, or multi-unit restaurant openings is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management tools such as Asana, Smartsheet, Monday.com, Procore, Microsoft Project, or similar platforms.