Director of Design & Construction

Description

Builder of Spaces. Guardian of Brand. Driver of Growth.

WHO WE ARE

The Salty Donut is a chef-driven, craft donut and coffee shop focused on small-batch, seasonal flavors made with the highest-quality ingredients. Everything is made in-house with zero artificial ingredients. We pair product excellence with an obsession for hospitality - creating a warm, memorable, consistent guest experience every visit. That experience starts with our leaders.

THE ROLE

The Director of Design & Construction leads the planning, design, and delivery of new Salty Donut locations and major capital improvement projects. This leader translates the brand vision into beautiful, functional, durable spaces while managing schedules, budgets, contractors, consultants, and quality from site evaluation through opening and closeout.

The role partners closely with executive leadership, Operations, Finance, and external design and construction teams to support responsible expansion across markets. Success requires an owner's mindset, disciplined project execution, strong communication, and a commitment to operationally practical design.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Design Leadership & Brand Standards

Lead architectural, interior, and technical design efforts for new locations, remodels, and special projects.

Translate brand identity into consistent guest-facing environments while allowing for appropriate site-specific solutions.

Review drawings, finish schedules, fixtures, equipment layouts, signage, and material selections for quality and functionality.

Partner with Operations to ensure layouts support guest flow, production efficiency, safety, and team member experience.

2. New Store Development & Project Delivery

Own the project lifecycle from early feasibility and design through permitting, construction, punch list, and handoff.

Develop integrated project plans with clear milestones, dependencies, responsibilities, and opening-readiness checkpoints.

Coordinate architects, engineers, general contractors, landlords, vendors, and internal stakeholders.

Proactively identify risks and resolve issues that could affect project scope, schedule, cost, or quality.

3. Construction Management & Field Execution

Oversee construction progress, site visits, inspections, and quality control across active projects.

Review contractor schedules, RFIs, submittals, change orders, and project documentation.

Ensure work aligns with approved plans, specifications, lease requirements, and applicable codes.

Manage punch lists, warranties, turnover documents, and post-opening construction follow-up.

4. Capital Budgets & Financial Accountability

Build and maintain project budgets, forecasts, and cash-flow schedules in partnership with Finance.

Solicit and evaluate bids, negotiate commercial terms, and recommend vendors based on value and performance.

Monitor commitments, invoices, contingencies, and change orders; escalate material variances promptly.

Identify opportunities to standardize specifications and reduce cost without compromising the brand or operational needs.

5. Permitting, Compliance & Risk Management

Coordinate required permits, approvals, inspections, and certificates of occupancy with qualified partners.

Work with design professionals and contractors to address building, fire, accessibility, health, and safety requirements.

Track landlord approvals, utility coordination, and jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Maintain organized records of contracts, drawings, permits, insurance documentation, and project closeout materials.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Store Openings

Partner with Operations, Culinary, IT, Procurement, and People teams to support successful openings.

Coordinate equipment installation, utilities, technology infrastructure, furnishings, and final readiness activities.

Provide timely, transparent project updates to leadership, including milestones, decisions needed, and risks.

Support a structured transition from construction to store operations with clear ownership of outstanding items.

7. Vendor & Partner Management

Develop a reliable network of architects, engineers, contractors, fabricators, and specialty vendors across markets.

Set clear expectations for deliverables, communication, service levels, and accountability.

Evaluate partner performance and continuously improve the development process.

Protect company interests through disciplined documentation and appropriate escalation of contractual issues.

8. Process Improvement & Growth Planning

Establish repeatable project templates, reporting tools, design standards, and opening checklists.

Capture lessons learned from each project to improve speed, cost predictability, and store performance.

Support preliminary site assessments and development due diligence as needed.

Balance ambitious growth goals with thoughtful execution, operational practicality, and long-term asset quality.

Requirements

ABOUT YOU

7 years of progressive experience in design, construction, or development, including leadership of multi-site commercial projects.

Experience delivering restaurant, hospitality, retail, or other customer-facing spaces; multi-unit rollout experience strongly preferred.

Strong understanding of construction methods, architectural drawings, permitting processes, schedules, and project budgets.

Demonstrated success managing external consultants, contractors, vendors, and multiple simultaneous projects.

Ability to balance design excellence with constructability, operational needs, and financial discipline.

Excellent communication, negotiation, organization, and problem-solving skills.

Comfortable using project management software, spreadsheets, and drawing/document collaboration tools.

Ability to travel to project sites across markets as business needs require.

Passion for hospitality, craftsmanship, and The Salty Donut brand.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive salary bonus opportunity (subject to role-specific plan)

6 weeks paid parental leave

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Matching HSA 401(k)

Company-paid life insurance

EAP pet insurance

40% off donuts, coffee, merch, and catering

Friends & family discount

Anniversary program

Generous PTO, Sick Time & Well-Being Time

Growth opportunities in a rapidly expanding brand