Director of Development/Construction

Sunda - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Senior

Chicago, IL

About the position

The Director of Development (DOD) will lead a best-in-class development function at Sunda LLC, overseeing a range of responsibilities that are critical to the company's growth and success. This role requires a collaborative approach, working closely with both internal and external financial resources to complete financial models, including individual ROI and IRR models, and to engage in overall capital planning for multi-year development projects. The DOD will also be responsible for conducting market analysis, site search and selection, and negotiating business terms and lease agreements in conjunction with external legal resources. In addition to financial oversight, the DOD will manage buildout cost projections based on historical results and real-time market research. Quality control is paramount, as the DOD will oversee project punch lists, conduct six-month check-ups, and ensure compliance with warranty visits on all work. The role demands a high level of organization and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, reflecting the fast-paced and diverse nature of a startup environment. The DOD will also implement quality control and compliance measures to maintain the highest level of service, customer satisfaction, and positive vendor relations. This includes overseeing internal insurance programs and vendor insurance, as well as evaluating and analyzing food and beverage performance on a quarterly basis to ensure operational excellence. The DOD will work closely with the CEO and executive team to plan, budget, analyze, and execute the company's business growth development plan, leading the growth development plan from market analysis and site selection to pro forma and groundbreaking. The DOD will be expected to enhance revenue through menu development, pricing strategies, and marketing techniques, while also fostering relationships with investors to support the company's financial goals. The position requires a commitment to delivering new projects on time and on budget, with a focus on achieving expected sales projections. The DOD will oversee a complex real estate portfolio, aiming to deliver two to three new sites annually while managing ongoing oversight of all real estate assets. This role may require travel to various company locations, construction sites, or potential real estate acquisitions, emphasizing the need for flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with financial resources to complete financial models and overall capital planning.
• Conduct site search and selection for new projects.
• Negotiate business terms and structure, including Letters of Intent (LOI) and leases.
• Buildout cost projections based on historical results and market research.
• Implement quality control on projects and oversee punch lists and warranty visits.
• Manage project and contract management during buildout, leveraging internal and external resources.
• Oversee all professional services including contractors, architects, and engineers.
• Evaluate and analyze Food and Beverage performance on a quarterly basis.
• Work closely with the CEO and executive team to execute the company's business growth development plan.
• Enhance revenue through menu development and pricing strategies.
• Foster relationships with investors and manage investor relations.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant real estate and commercial construction experience.
• Demonstrated experience delivering projects on time and on budget.
• Experience in overseeing and developing multi-unit commercial properties.
• A blend of real estate and construction experience in retail or restaurants is highly preferred.
• A Bachelor's degree in construction, engineering, or a similar discipline.
• Strong Excel or Numbers spreadsheet skills.
• Ability to learn and work with third-party real estate analytics.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with project management tools such as Gantt Charts.
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.
• Knowledge of market and competition to align work with strategic goals.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance bonuses based on achieving profitable growth.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Flexible work environment with potential for remote work options.