VP of Construction and Development

Black Family Hospitality (BFH) is a growing boutique hospitality company rooted in creativity, community, and operational excellence. We are seeking a Vice President of Construction and Development who will lead the design, construction, and execution of a diverse and expanding real estate portfolio, including freestanding food and beverage concepts, boutique hotels, experiential bathhouses, vineyards, and winemaking facilities. As a core member of the executive leadership team, this individual collaborates closely with other Senior Vice Presidents to ensure that development projects are executed with precision, integrity, and long-term value creation.

This position will oversee the Development Division, with direct responsibility for department heads in Design, Construction, and Project Management. The ideal candidate will bring more than 15 years of experience in leading complex, multimillion-dollar developments across multiple asset types and geographies, demonstrating a strategic, disciplined, and collaborative approach to scaling high-quality assets.

Key Responsibilities by Functional Area

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Works closely with the Senior Vice President of Construction and Development on all matters.
• Shape and execute a long-term capital project pipeline aligned with the company’s strategic growth plan.
• Provide executive oversight across all development initiatives to ensure alignment with brand, operational, financial, and legal standards.
• Set and track performance goals, KPIs, and project milestones across the development portfolio. Develop and manage project milestones and schedules.
• Direct all OBU CAPEX projects, review budgets, and deploy internal and external resources to complete.

Design Oversight

• Lead the Design department to ensure that all architectural, interior, and site planning decisions reflect the brand’s identity, operational efficiency, and guest experience. Conduct comprehensive site survey reviews and budget assessments.
• Maintain rigorous standards for aesthetics, materials, sustainability, and function across asset types.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to integrate operational feedback into the design process early and effectively.
• Construction Management
• Oversee all phases of construction across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, on budget, and to quality standards.
• Lead contract negotiation and performance management for general contractors, subcontractors, and construction consultants.
• Establish scalable systems and processes to manage costs, schedules, and risk across geographies and project types.

Project Management

• Drive the successful execution of all development projects from concept through opening.
• Implement portfolio-wide project controls, timelines, reporting frameworks, and post-opening review protocols.
• Ensure that projects meet compliance, permitting, and life safety requirements in all jurisdictions. Effectively handle permit management and bid qualifications.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with the SVPs of Operations, Estates, Brand, Legal, and Finance to ensure seamless alignment from concept to delivery.
• Work closely with General Counsel on real estate acquisition, permitting, entitlements, and legal oversight of consultants and contractors.
• Support internal and external communications related to new development announcements, press releases, and community engagement.

Team Development & Culture

• Lead and mentor a high-performing Development Division; establish succession planning, talent development, and recruitment strategies for continued growth.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Uphold a leadership style that reflects the company’s values of excellence, integrity, and respect for craft.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 15 years in construction and real estate development with a focus on hospitality, food and beverage, or experiential assets.
• Proven experience managing large-scale, multi-use, or complex projects exceeding $100MM in value.
• Deep knowledge of architecture, engineering, construction management, entitlements, permitting, and project finance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and convey project expectations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and scaling development functions in a high-growth environment.