National Director of Development (NDOD)

Sunda - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Senior

Chicago, IL

About the position

The National Director of Development (NDOD) will lead a best-in-class development function at Sunda LLC, overseeing a comprehensive range of responsibilities that are critical to the company's growth and success. This role requires a strategic leader who can collaborate with both internal and external financial resources to develop financial models, conduct market analysis, and manage capital planning over multiple years. The NDOD will be instrumental in site search and selection, negotiating business terms and leases, and ensuring that all development projects align with the company's vision. In addition to financial oversight, the NDOD will manage project and contract management during the buildout phase, leveraging both internal and external project management resources. This includes maintaining quality control on projects, overseeing punch lists, and conducting follow-up visits to ensure that all work meets the company's standards. The NDOD will also be responsible for evaluating and analyzing food and beverage performance, ensuring that purchasing decisions align with operational goals. The NDOD will work closely with the CEO and executive team to plan, budget, and execute the company's business growth development plan. This includes enhancing revenue through menu development and pricing strategies, as well as fostering relationships with investors to support the company's financial goals. The expectation is that the NDOD will deliver new projects on time and within budget, overseeing a complex real estate portfolio that aims to deliver 2 to 3 new sites annually. The role requires a strong commitment to the company's core values and behaviors, with a focus on quality management, strategic thinking, and effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with financial resources to complete financial models and overall capital planning.
• Conduct site search and selection for new development 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 project management resources.
• Oversee internal insurance programs and vendor insurance.
• Evaluate and analyze food and beverage performance on a quarterly basis.
• Work closely with the CEO and executive team to plan and execute the company's 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 diverse audiences.
• Experience in change management and quality management.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance bonuses.
• Health insurance coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and continued education.