Senior Project Manager

Job Title: Senior Project Manager – QSR/Restaurant Construction

Job Description

The Senior Project Manager will lead complex retail and quick-serve restaurant (QSR) construction and renovation projects from initial concept through grand opening. This role focuses on delivering exceptional results in fast-paced retail environments, balancing construction activities with ongoing business operations and customer experience. The position requires a strong understanding of retail and restaurant build-outs, phased rollouts, occupied space work, and fast-track schedules, while ensuring strict adherence to brand standards, quality, budget, and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end management of QSR construction and renovation projects from inception through completion and grand opening.

• Plan, manage, and oversee all project phases including scope definition, budgeting, scheduling, procurement, execution, and closeout.

• Coordinate closely with architects, contractors, client stakeholders, vendors, and retail operations teams to align construction activities with ongoing store operations.

• Balance construction schedules with retail-specific considerations such as seasonal demands, merchandising timelines, and the need to minimize disruption to customers and staff.

• Manage complex project conditions including phased rollouts, occupied space work, accelerated and fast-track schedules, and night and weekend work when required.

• Ensure all projects meet or exceed quality standards, brand specifications, building codes, ADA requirements, and applicable retail and food service regulations.

• Collaborate with landlords, construction partners, and municipal authorities to secure approvals, permits, and inspections in a timely manner.

• Oversee multiple concurrent projects across different locations, maintaining clear priorities, accurate tracking, and proactive risk management.

• Identify and resolve project challenges such as supply chain delays, permitting issues, and operational conflicts, making sound decisions quickly in a fast-paced environment.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with retail clients by understanding their strategic goals, market positioning, and operational constraints.

• Provide guidance, leadership, and mentorship to project teams, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture.

• Communicate project status, risks, and milestones clearly and regularly to internal teams and external stakeholders.

• Champion a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and belonging within project teams and across all project interactions.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 7+ years of project management experience in QSR/restaurant or closely related retail construction environments.

• Proven experience managing complex retail projects such as new store builds, remodels, tenant improvements, mall renovations, or retail portfolio rollouts.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to manage projects from inception through completion under compressed timelines.

• Deep understanding of retail operations, including fixture installation, merchandising requirements, and the critical importance of opening dates.

• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to guide, motivate, and coordinate diverse project teams and stakeholders.

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, enabling effective collaboration with retailers, landlords, architects, contractors, and municipal authorities.

• Exceptional organizational and time-management abilities with the capacity to manage multiple concurrent projects across different locations.

• Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills in fast-paced environments, especially when addressing supply chain delays, permitting issues, and operational conflicts.

• Knowledge of construction processes, building codes, and ADA compliance requirements relevant to retail and restaurant projects.

• Proficiency in project management software and tools, as well as strong skills in Excel.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience managing national or regional restaurant/retail rollout programs.

• Familiarity with retail-specific requirements and regulations, including health department regulations for food service environments.

• Experience coordinating projects in occupied retail spaces with minimal disruption to customer experience.

• Ability to work effectively with municipal authorities to navigate permitting and inspection processes.

• Demonstrated commitment to fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging within teams.

Work Environment

This role operates in a hybrid environment that combines remote work with regular visits to active job sites. Project sites are located in and around the Dallas and Houston areas. You will collaborate virtually with internal and external stakeholders while spending time on-site to oversee construction progress, coordinate with contractors and vendors, and ensure compliance with quality, safety, and brand standards. The work involves managing fast-paced retail and QSR construction schedules, including potential night and weekend work to accommodate occupied store operations and minimize customer disruption. The environment is highly collaborative and dynamic, with a strong focus on teamwork, clear communication, and delivering high-quality retail experiences.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $63.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Houston,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.