Director of Construction

Portillo's • Oak Brook, IL

2d • $155,000 - $190,000

About The Position

POSITION SUMMARY: The Director of Construction leads the construction team and oversees all new restaurant and remodel projects, ensuring each location is built to Portillo’s design standards, operational needs, and brand expectations. This role directs the work of the Construction team and applies strong leadership and project management practices across all phases from planning and design through construction and turnover. This position is accountable for cost, schedule, quality, and for establishing management and technology systems that drive efficiency, transparency, and communication. Success in this role requires collaboration across all departments to deliver high-quality, on-brand restaurants on time and within budget. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Enable our Purpose to create lifelong memories by igniting the senses with unrivaled food and experiences: Family: Work together to make everyone feel at home, and we step up when someone needs help Coach, set clear expectations, and hold Construction team and third-party partners accountable to deliver consistent, high-quality results Build strong relationships with cross-functional partners including Real Estate, Operations, Legal, Supply Chain, Marketing, Finance, and external consultants to ensure alignment and seamless execution Foster open and proactive communication between Construction, equipment vendors, New Restaurant Opening (NRO) team, Operations, and other stakeholders throughout each project lifecycle Gather post-project feedback from NRO and Operations to sustain success and identify continuous improvement opportunities Greatness: We’re obsessed with being the best and work hard to continuously improve. Our greatness is rooted in Quality, Service, Attitude and Cleanliness Manage development schedules, cost estimates, and construction budgets to ensure all projects meet or exceed schedule, cost, and quality standards. Own and continuously improve construction technology platforms, reporting tools, and data standards to support scalability, cost control, and transparency Oversee all pre-construction due diligence, including surveys, engineering, environmental assessments, and traffic studies, to support timely openings Lead permitting, planning, and zoning processes in partnership with Real Estate, architects, engineers, and consultants Conduct constructability reviews and apply value engineering techniques to achieve operational excellence and cost efficiency Review and approve General Contractor bids, contracts, and pay applications, ensuring alignment with Portillo’s standards and expectations Oversee development, review, and approval of construction documents to ensure accuracy and consistency with brand and operational requirements Conduct site inspections and performance reviews for General Contractors and key suppliers to ensure accountability and adherence to performance expectations Lead and manage the design and execution of all new prototype formats. Assign a prototype manager, ensure timelines are met around deliverables, and be able to audit the design. Revise prototypes with updates as needed Develop and manage the Construction department’s budget, tracking progress against plan Energy: We move with urgency and passion, while maintaining attention to detail Lead effective project management processes across pre-construction, construction, and post-construction phases to ensure consistent, on-time delivery Develop master schedules and milestone timelines for all projects and ensure ownership of key deliverables Create and maintain communication systems that promote transparency, collaboration, and timely decision making Conduct regular status meetings with the Construction team and vendors to monitor progress, address challenges, and celebrate wins Ensure timely receipt of Certificates of Occupancy and coordinate seamless restaurant turnover to Operations Oversee completion of all punch list activities in partnership with Operations to deliver a fully operational restaurant experience Fun: We entertain our guests, we connect authentically, and we make each other smile Cultivate a high-energy, engaged team culture that celebrates milestones and takes pride in bringing Portillo’s iconic restaurants to life Encourage creative problem solving and leverage technology to enhance efficiency and communication Apply lessons learned from each project to continuously strengthen processes, collaboration, and results Other duties as assigned ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS The Director of Construction directly manages Construction Project Managers and works with Real Estate, Legal, Operations, Talent, Risk Management, Asset Protection, Accounts Payable, Supply Chain, and our vendor partners. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Educational Level/Certifications Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field Minimum Work Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities 7–10 years of progressive experience in restaurant design and construction within multi-unit ground-up build environments Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and balance a high-volume, fast-paced development pipeline Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present information clearly and influence across all levels of the organization Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail, prioritization, and decision-making abilities Proven track record of critical and strategic thinking with the ability to translate plans into effective execution Self-starter who sets ambitious goals, drives accountability, and consistently delivers results Adaptable and solutions-oriented with the ability to navigate changing business priorities, solve complex challenges, and identify opportunities to reduce costs, maintain timelines, and optimize outcomes Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, SmartSheet, Teams, and Procore Travel Requirement Frequent overnight, out of state travel is required Hot dog! The pay range for this role is $155,000.00 - $190,000.00 yearly. Your actual compensation will depend on experience, location, and/or additional skills you bring to the table. This position is also served with: Participation in a discretionary bonus program based on company and individual performance, among other ingredients A monthly technology reimbursement Equity awards Quarterly Portillo’s gift cards A bun-believable benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance along with paid time off, life insurance, and our 401(k) plan with a company match Learn more about our benefits here DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, duties and skills required. The incumbent may be expected to perform other duties as assigned. This job may be reviewed as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. At Portillo’s, we’re obsessed with greatness. That means we’re an iconic brand unlike any other – our food is unrivaled and our people know how to have fun. Our team members often start as fans, then join our family. They’ve turned their obsession into a profession.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in restaurant design and construction within multi-unit ground-up build environments
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and balance a high-volume, fast-paced development pipeline
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present information clearly and influence across all levels of the organization
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail, prioritization, and decision-making abilities
• Proven track record of critical and strategic thinking with the ability to translate plans into effective execution
• Self-starter who sets ambitious goals, drives accountability, and consistently delivers results
• Adaptable and solutions-oriented with the ability to navigate changing business priorities, solve complex challenges, and identify opportunities to reduce costs, maintain timelines, and optimize outcomes
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, SmartSheet, Teams, and Procore
• Frequent overnight, out of state travel is required

Responsibilities

• Coach, set clear expectations, and hold Construction team and third-party partners accountable to deliver consistent, high-quality results
• Build strong relationships with cross-functional partners including Real Estate, Operations, Legal, Supply Chain, Marketing, Finance, and external consultants to ensure alignment and seamless execution
• Foster open and proactive communication between Construction, equipment vendors, New Restaurant Opening (NRO) team, Operations, and other stakeholders throughout each project lifecycle
• Gather post-project feedback from NRO and Operations to sustain success and identify continuous improvement opportunities
• Manage development schedules, cost estimates, and construction budgets to ensure all projects meet or exceed schedule, cost, and quality standards.
• Own and continuously improve construction technology platforms, reporting tools, and data standards to support scalability, cost control, and transparency
• Oversee all pre-construction due diligence, including surveys, engineering, environmental assessments, and traffic studies, to support timely openings
• Lead permitting, planning, and zoning processes in partnership with Real Estate, architects, engineers, and consultants
• Conduct constructability reviews and apply value engineering techniques to achieve operational excellence and cost efficiency
• Review and approve General Contractor bids, contracts, and pay applications, ensuring alignment with Portillo’s standards and expectations
• Oversee development, review, and approval of construction documents to ensure accuracy and consistency with brand and operational requirements
• Conduct site inspections and performance reviews for General Contractors and key suppliers to ensure accountability and adherence to performance expectations
• Lead and manage the design and execution of all new prototype formats. Assign a prototype manager, ensure timelines are met around deliverables, and be able to audit the design. Revise prototypes with updates as needed
• Develop and manage the Construction department’s budget, tracking progress against plan
• Lead effective project management processes across pre-construction, construction, and post-construction phases to ensure consistent, on-time delivery
• Develop master schedules and milestone timelines for all projects and ensure ownership of key deliverables
• Create and maintain communication systems that promote transparency, collaboration, and timely decision making
• Conduct regular status meetings with the Construction team and vendors to monitor progress, address challenges, and celebrate wins
• Ensure timely receipt of Certificates of Occupancy and coordinate seamless restaurant turnover to Operations
• Oversee completion of all punch list activities in partnership with Operations to deliver a fully operational restaurant experience
• Cultivate a high-energy, engaged team culture that celebrates milestones and takes pride in bringing Portillo’s iconic restaurants to life
• Encourage creative problem solving and leverage technology to enhance efficiency and communication
• Apply lessons learned from each project to continuously strengthen processes, collaboration, and results
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Participation in a discretionary bonus program based on company and individual performance, among other ingredients
• A monthly technology reimbursement
• Equity awards
• Quarterly Portillo’s gift cards
• A bun-believable benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance along with paid time off, life insurance, and our 401(k) plan with a company match

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director