Project Manager, Development

The Project Manager, Development owns the full lifecycle of new location openings — from initial site selection through the day the doors open. This role is the central point of coordination between franchisees, landlords, architects, general contractors, and outside vendors, keeping every project on schedule, on budget, and on brand.

You will manage multiple concurrent projects at different stages, hold partners accountable to timelines, and give franchisees a clear, confident guide through what is often the biggest investment of their careers.

Key Responsibilities

Site Selection & Real Estate

• Partner with franchisees and brokers to evaluate candidate sites against brand criteria, demographics, co-tenancy, visibility, and access.
• Review site packages, floor plans, and landlord work letters; flag risks related to buildout scope, utilities, ADA, venting, plumbing, and electrical capacity.
• Support lease negotiation by advising on delivery conditions, tenant improvement allowances, possession dates, and construction-related lease terms.
• Maintain and present site approval documentation for internal review.

Design & Permitting

• Manage architects and engineers through test fits, space planning, and permit-ready construction documents that meet brand standards.
• Coordinate permit applications and shepherd projects through municipal plan review, corrections, and approvals.
• Track jurisdictional requirements and proactively resolve code and licensing issues that could delay opening.

Construction & Buildout

• Solicit and level general contractor bids; advise franchisees on scope, pricing, and contractor selection.
• Run the construction schedule from permit issuance to certificate of occupancy, holding GCs and subcontractors to milestones.
• Conduct site visits and virtual walkthroughs; manage punch lists and quality control against brand specifications.
• Track budgets, change orders, draws, and invoices; escalate cost or schedule variances early with recommended solutions.

Vendor & FF&E Management

• Manage outside vendors across signage, millwork, furniture, fixtures, equipment, technology, POS, security, and branded décor.
• Sequence ordering, lead times, delivery, and installation so nothing becomes the critical path.
• Maintain vendor relationships, negotiate pricing where appropriate, and hold partners to quality and delivery commitments.

Franchisee Partnership

• Serve as the primary development contact for franchisees, providing regular status updates and clear next steps.
• Educate first-time owners on the development process, decisions they need to make, and what to expect at each stage.
• Manage expectations with candor and empathy — deliver hard news early and with a plan.

Opening Readiness

• Coordinate with Operations, Training, and Marketing to align buildout completion with hiring, training, and grand opening timelines.
• Drive final inspections, occupancy, licensing, and turnover to the operating team.
• Conduct post-opening reviews and feed lessons learned back into playbooks, prototype standards, and vendor programs.

Process & Reporting

• Maintain accurate project trackers, milestone dates, and pipeline reporting for leadership.
• Continuously improve development templates, checklists, timelines, and vendor documentation.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of project management experience in retail, restaurant, franchise, or multi-site commercial construction and development.
• Demonstrated ownership of projects from site selection through opening.
• Working knowledge of commercial leases, construction documents, permitting processes, and building codes.
• Experience managing general contractors, architects, and vendors — including holding them accountable to schedule and budget.
• Strong budget management skills; comfortable with construction cost tracking and change order review.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to translate technical construction detail for non-technical owners.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects at different stages without dropping details.
• Proficiency with project management and productivity tools (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet, MS Project, Google Workspace).
• Willingness to travel to markets and job sites as needed.

Preferred

• Franchise development experience, especially working directly with franchisees.
• Background in beauty, wellness, fitness, or personal services retail.
• Experience scaling a prototype across multiple markets and jurisdictions.
• Ability to read and interpret CAD drawings; familiarity with AutoCAD or similar.
• Bachelor's degree in construction management, architecture, engineering, real estate, business, or related field. PMP or CCM a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $68,000-$70,000 annually, plus bonus based on experience

Bonus: Performance based eligibility

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, In-store discounts and services .