The Director of Development reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer. This position devotes their attention and energy to supporting the real estate development process for Whiskey Cake and Ida Claire. The primary responsibilities of the role are to support the COO in the sourcing, negotiation, and project management of New Restaurant Openings. The Director of Development manages the necessary legal processes and documentation related to the NRO and until the department expands, will oversee the construction process from conceptualization to turnover to Operations. The Director must be a high energy, self-motivated Team member who can work independently, and function at both a strategic and hands on level. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

This newly created role will be included in leadership opportunities beyond traditional real estate duties as the company begins an aggressive growth and expansion plan.  Position responsibilities include the following:

·       Works in support of the COO to execute the Whiskey Cake and Ida Claire real estate strategic plan

·       Assists the COO in lease negotiations when necessary

·       Oversees the preparation of letters of intent, proformas, budgets, work letters, lease exhibits, etc.

·       Leads weekly project specific calls and meetings with specific project teams, both internal and external, to keep NROs on track and aligned

·       Tracks value-add products, services, and innovation and incorporate savings opportunities into upcoming projects.

·      Collaboratively work with Operations Team in identifying operational and management issues from the design development and construction perspective

·       Monitors and develops new systems to improve the NRO process, from site selection to turnover to operations

·       Manages and tracks the NRO budget and value engineer projects when necessary to meet budget goals

·       Responsible for all third party project approvals and manages all third party vendors

·       Hires, leads and tracks the design partners from construction development through plan development

·       Hires and manages the architects, vendors, and expeditors in the pre-construction phase of development though permitting

·      Ensures development risks and issues are being tracked and mitigated/resolved

·      Develops and maintains Construction and Equipment Vendor Relationships

·       Hires and manages general contractors to ensure milestone dates are being met

·       Ensures key construction and lease milestone dates have been completed to ensure the NRO is still on track and that work is completed to our standards

·       Effectively and actively communicates with other departments on key dates necessary to accomplish our growth plan

·       Manages and facilitates the turnover to operations ensuring a seamless transition

·       Supports the COO in preparing the materials for the Real Estate Committee for Whiskey Cake and Ida Claire

·       Bids owner supplied items and resources including light bulbs, lighting, flooring, HVAC, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA or BS in Business, Real Estate Finance, or related field required
• Must have 7+ years of real estate development experience
• Must have significant retail/restaurant development experience. Construction management experience preferred
• Must have strong communication skills with the ability to successfully communicate to architects, contractors, permitting jurisdictions, third party vendors, etc.
• Ability to partner and manage cross functionally
• Self-starter and must be able to work autonomously

• Location: Position located in Whiskey Cake Home Office in Dallas, TX
• Travel Requirements: Flexibility with work hours necessary with up to 50% of travel, as needed

The Director of Development reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer. This position devotes their attention and energy to supporting the real estate development process for Whiskey Cake and Ida Claire. The primary responsibilities of the role are to support the COO in the sourcing, negotiation, and project management of New Restaurant Openings. The Director of Development manages the necessary legal processes and documentation related to the NRO and until the department expands, will oversee the construction process from conceptualization to turnover to Operations. The Director must be a high energy, self-motivated Team member who can work independently, and function at both a strategic and hands on level. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

This newly created role will be included in leadership opportunities beyond traditional real estate duties as the company begins an aggressive growth and expansion plan.  Position responsibilities include the following:

·       Works in support of the COO to execute the Whiskey Cake and Ida Claire real estate strategic plan

·       Assists the COO in lease negotiations when necessary

·       Oversees the preparation of letters of intent, proformas, budgets, work letters, lease exhibits, etc.

·       Leads weekly project specific calls and meetings with specific project teams, both internal and external, to keep NROs on track and aligned

·       Tracks value-add products, services, and innovation and incorporate savings opportunities into upcoming projects.

·      Collaboratively work with Operations Team in identifying operational and management issues from the design development and construction perspective

·       Monitors and develops new systems to improve the NRO process, from site selection to turnover to operations

·       Manages and tracks the NRO budget and value engineer projects when necessary to meet budget goals

·       Responsible for all third party project approvals and manages all third party vendors

·       Hires, leads and tracks the design partners from construction development through plan development

·       Hires and manages the architects, vendors, and expeditors in the pre-construction phase of development though permitting

·      Ensures development risks and issues are being tracked and mitigated/resolved

·      Develops and maintains Construction and Equipment Vendor Relationships

·       Hires and manages general contractors to ensure milestone dates are being met

·       Ensures key construction and lease milestone dates have been completed to ensure the NRO is still on track and that work is completed to our standards

·       Effectively and actively communicates with other departments on key dates necessary to accomplish our growth plan

·       Manages and facilitates the turnover to operations ensuring a seamless transition

·       Supports the COO in preparing the materials for the Real Estate Committee for Whiskey Cake and Ida Claire

·       Bids owner supplied items and resources including light bulbs, lighting, flooring, HVAC, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA or BS in Business, Real Estate Finance, or related field required
• Must have 7+ years of real estate development experience
• Must have significant retail/restaurant development experience. Construction management experience preferred
• Must have strong communication skills with the ability to successfully communicate to architects, contractors, permitting jurisdictions, third party vendors, etc.
• Ability to partner and manage cross functionally
• Self-starter and must be able to work autonomously

• Location: Position located in Whiskey Cake Home Office in Dallas, TX
• Travel Requirements: Flexibility with work hours necessary with up to 50% of travel, as needed