Construction Project Manager

Hai Hospitality•Austin, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Hai Hospitality is accepting applications for an experienced Construction Project Manager for our Home Office based in Austin, TX. We are an innovative and growing restaurant group, looking for individuals who are creative, ambitious, and passionate about food and people. About Hai Hospitality: Hai Hospitality is a fast-growing multi-concept restaurant company based in Austin Texas. Building upon 23 years of success with the first restaurant opening in 2003, our restaurants include Uchi, Uchiko, Uchiba, and Loro Asian Smokehouse. We currently have 20 restaurants in 5 states (TX, CO, FL, CA, AZ) and are adding ~4 new restaurants per year. This is a great opportunity to lead construction projects for a successful and growing company with a great culture. To learn more about Hai, please visit: https://www.haihospitality.com/ The Construction Project Manager will manage new restaurant and remodel projects. Hai Hospitality currently has 20 existing restaurants with ~10+ restaurants in design development or under construction. Rapid growth requires an experienced individual with strong construction project management competencies, excellent communication skills, strong knowledge and skill in restaurant, grocery store, hospitality and/or retail design, construction, and operations. Extensive experience in new restaurant/store construction and remodel processes. This position is based in the Hai Hospitality office in Austin with travel to regional sites. This position reports to the VP of Construction.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural/Engineering, Construction Management, or construction-related fields preferred.
Minimum 5 years combined restaurant, grocery, hospitality, retail construction experience, New Store, and remodels.
Experience preparing construction budgets and tracking to actual costs.
Familiar with restaurant store fixtures, planning, operations and merchandising.
Proficient in computer estimating, scheduling database applications such as Procore.
Basic understanding of restaurant/grocery operations.
Willingness to travel with flexibility to work different hours-including early morning and late-night work.
Ability to effectively organize and handle multiple projects under pressure at one time.
Exceptional human relationship skills; Exhibit tact in handling challenging situations
Ability to work with design consultants to facilitate development and construction drawings in an effective and timely manner.
Excellent knowledge about restaurant equipment and fixtures.
Excellent knowledge of lease requirements, construction exhibits, contract formats.
Well organized and able to adhere to deadlines.
Must be able to communicate effectively with colleagues, clients, and supervisors, including via email, phone, and in-person interactions.
Ability to read, understand, and respond to written or digital documents, including emails, reports, and policies.
Detect and address workplace safety issues and adhere to safety guidelines and standards.
Ability to sit at a desk and use a computer or other office equipment for extended periods.
Perform repetitive hand and wrist movements for typing, writing, or data entry.
Lift and carry office supplies, files, or equipment weighing up to 25 lbs.
Adapt to a fast-paced work environment, including managing deadlines and shifting priorities.
Work collaboratively in close proximity to coworkers in shared office spaces.
Tolerate exposure to standard office elements, such as artificial lighting, noise from office equipment, or climate-controlled environments.
Understand and follow directives, policies, and workflows provided by supervisors or management.

Nice To Haves

Roll-up-the-sleeves attitude with the ability to adapt, grow and change with the business.
Curious by nature and seeks out new and better solutions to current standards and practices.
Ask “why” when necessary.
Team Player (a “we” vs. “me” attitude).
Humble and kind, yet with a competitive mindset.
Wants to win.
Good communication skills – seeks feedback and enjoys continuous improvement environments.
Promotes communication and cooperation among teams to create a spirit of unity in the organization.
Can manage multiple projects and priorities - above average organizational and time management skills.

Responsibilities

Project Management: Partner with Store Development team and contribute to the improvement of construction processes to help grow and develop Hai Hospitality.
Assist design team during due diligence and schematic design phase with close attention to approved schedules and budgets.
Coordinate new restaurant construction and remodels with the store development and operations teams; establish positive relationships and ongoing communication with store development and operation teams.
Work with store development team to develop all regional and/or national construction and operational standards and objectives.
Lead multiple new and/or remodel restaurant construction projects in various stages of construction/design development.
Direct all phases of construction project management including due diligence, schedule, and budget development.
Coordinate planning and design, supporting owner supplied items procurement and restaurant move in coordination; adhere to approved project budgets and schedules.
Be the Hai Hospitality liaison with all internal departments and outside contractors/equipment suppliers / consultants / landlords / governing authorities; coordinate towards common goals while making critical decisions in a professional manner.
Ensure the completion of all punch lists items and follow-up warranty items timely; conduct 11-month warranty inspection with (Restaurant Operations Team and Facilities Maintenance Leader)
Coordinate warranty follow-up work with appropriate General Contractor.
Work with restaurant leadership on proactive customer communication regarding any proposed restaurant changes.
Help manage the food service equipment buying process; partner with the design team to ensure the timely purchase of all food service equipment, store fixtures, FF&E, Lighting, Signage, and equipment and coordinate all deliveries and installations to meet schedules.
Perform onsite inspections of new store sites and buildings to ensure usability and compliance with lease and construction exhibits; Ensure quality workmanship per Hai Hospitality plans/specifications.
Supervise and perform all aspects of construction administration including negotiating contracts, change orders, project schedules purchase order management, invoicing, and project closeout documentation.
Champion the use of Procore as Hai Hospitality in house project management platform.
Act as support and point person for restaurants in construction process and promote safety for Hai Hospitality employees at construction site.
Provide building-related input to the design team during conceptual phase of planning.
Review and redline schematic and design development building plans, providing comments to the design team, and ensuring any errors or omissions in plans are caught prior to construction.
Ensure timely start of all projects and strict adherence to the project schedules.
Monitor and report weekly to Chief Development Officer (CDO) on all potential risks to budget and/or schedule.
Manage project change orders, submittals and RFI ensuring timely, efficient, and thorough responses from the design teams to the contractors.
Visit project sites regularly to inspect construction progress and adherence to design standards.
Maintain a comprehensive understanding of each project’s plans, timelines, and potential risks.
Attend OAC meetings and provide direction to GC and consultants as required.
Monitor and oversee punch work and provide consistent communication to appropriate teams.
Verify proper procedures, per municipality for health inspections, signage permits, etc.
Work with Hai comptroller and GC on setting up utilities.
Coordinate and participate in the smooth turnover of all NRO and remodel projects to the operations and opening teams.
Ensure compliance with project closeout requirements.
Take a proactive and creative approach to solving the numerous problems that arise during every project.
Collaborate with Facilities Team to ensure maintenance, repairs, improvements, and remodels of all restaurant facilities are completed as prescribed.
Financial Management: Assist in the feasibility study and preliminary budgeting process of new projects.
Assist in developing reasonable and realistic construction budgets and schedules for new projects and remodels.
Review contractor payment applications.
Maintain accurate project budget and cost projections.
Create monthly status reports for each project under construction with budget and schedule analysis.
Analyze performance metrics and relationships to optimize costs.
Set challenging and realistic goals for growth, performance, and cost management.
Leadership: Be a brand ambassador and behavior model our Mission, Values, and Culture.
Be a motivator; a role model demonstrating team-first leadership mentality.
Be a collaborative, energetic, and solutions-oriented leader.
Provide a hands-on, visible presence and leadership.
Ensure coordination between various vendors on each project including GC, kitchen equipment provider, AV installers, bar equipment, refrigeration, landscapers, etc.
Build direct relationships with each contractor’s project manager to ensure open lines of communication and a timely resolution of all disputes, disagreements, and issues.
Work with other departments to improve processes and tools in support of capital renovations and maintenance of existing restaurants.
Build and maintain trusting relationships with restaurant and home office teams.
Maintain effective relationships with various leaders with a focus on collaboration, openness, solutions-first approach.
Communicate effectively and routinely regarding all significant matters, problems, projects, etc.
Evaluate systems, programs, and processes to drive continual improvement.
Maintain a high degree of accessibility and availability to listen, learn, and solve problems.
Foster a positive, inclusive work culture that encourages teamwork, professionalism, and excellence.
Support transparent and ongoing communications with all departments and restaurants.