Development Coordinator (New York City Metropolitan Area)

At NAYA, we’re on an exciting journey - growing fast, sharing authentic, fresh, and nutritious Middle Eastern flavors, and building a team that grows with us.

Our mission is to build genuine connections through the Middle Eastern flavors that nourish and inspire us.

You will love working at NAYA

We believe great people deserve great rewards. NAYA offers a comprehensive and people-focused benefits package designed to support you at work and beyond, including:

• Competitive pay to recognize your impact
• Annual competitive bonus plan
• 401(k) with match
• Paid Vacation time
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance to keep you healthy and thriving
• Flexible Spending and Commuter benefits to make your life easier
• Employee discounts and free NAYA meals — because we believe in enjoying what we serve
• Employee Assistance, Pay on Demand, Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, and much more!

At NAYA, you’ll find more than a job — you’ll find a community that values you, supports your goals, and celebrates your success.

About the Role

The Development Coordinator keeps the development lifecycle running smoothly and efficiently by providing logistical execution and coordination support to every development function.

You will maintain project documentation, track milestones, support vendor coordination and keep information flowing clearly across interdepartmental teams and channels.

What You’ll Do

Pipeline and Schedule Tracking

• Drive the New Restaurant Opening (NRO) project pipeline, tracking and maintaining critical NRO milestones and schedules, reporting weekly and escalating issues as needed.
• Maintain accurate project records and key dates across active projects, including lease obligations, design, permitting, construction, and openings.
• Schedule key meetings and prepare cross-functional agendas that move individual projects and overall Development goals forward.

Budget and Contract Administration

• Maintain and reconcile project budgets accurately, tracking proposals, contracts, pay applications, invoices, change orders, and credit card payments.
• Coordinate contract administration, procurement, invoicing, and project deliverables for NROs according to the required timelines for internal and external partners.
• Lead administrative and logistical setup and ongoing maintenance of development platforms, vendors, and functions.

Documentation and Submittals

• Prepare forms, documents, and packages for new site submittals, project kickoffs, PSA/FSA budget requests, permitting, utility transfers, and other critical development items.
• Coordinate permit, landlord, and vendor/consultant documentation compilation for new restaurant builds.
• Lead the compilation of deliverables and materials for Construction/Ops NRO Turnover Binders.

Systems, Collaboration, and Licensing

• Support the implementation, maintenance, and evolution of internal databases and reporting on project and pipeline status, risks, and upcoming deliverables.
• Collaborate with Design, Construction, Real Estate, Operations, and Facilities to ensure continuity and accuracy of information at each phase.
• Assist with the application, renewal, and maintenance of operational licenses for all NAYA restaurants.

How You Will Impact

• Keep the NRO pipeline moving by making sure milestones are met, risks are flagged early, and nothing falls through the cracks.
• Enable every Development function to operate with maximum efficiency by owning the logistics, documentation, and coordination behind each project.
• Strengthen the systems, tools, and processes that give leadership and cross-functional teams a clear, accurate view of the development pipeline.

Who You Are

• 3–5 years of experience in development, project or portfolio management, legal, compliance, or a similar logistical role; bachelor's degree strongly preferred.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and system- and process-minded.
• Proactive and eager to learn, with an interest in growing a career in development, construction, or design.
• Comfortable managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Able to travel locally as needed.

Naya is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, ancestry, national origin, alienage or citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, or other protected status.

Employment Eligibility Verification - NAYA participates in the federal E-Verify program. If you are offered employment, we will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Please note that we do not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants, and the verification process will only begin after an official offer of employment has been accepted.