Director, Retail Expansion & Construction

Tuckernuck Inc•Washington, DC

8d•$150,000 - $200,000

About The Position

The Director, Retail Expansion & Construction oversees the end-to-end development of new retail locations, from site evaluation and lease coordination through design, permitting, construction, and store opening. The role manages multiple projects simultaneously and ensures locations are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with Tuckernuck’s brand standards and business objectives. Working closely with the VP of Retail and leaders across Design, Visual Merchandising, Finance, Technology, Operations, and Marketing, the Director establishes the processes, partnerships, and infrastructure needed to scale Tuckernuck’s retail footprint thoughtfully and efficiently. The role combines construction and project management expertise, commercial judgment, design appreciation, and hands-on problem-solving. The position leads retail expansion and development, construction project management, design and brand standards, budgeting and reporting, vendor and stakeholder management, and process improvement. It also supports improvements to existing locations, including renovations, repairs, and capital projects as needed. Regular travel to construction sites and retail locations is expected as projects require.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in retail real estate development, commercial construction, store planning, or retail construction project management, including leading projects from site diligence through opening.
Demonstrated success managing multiple concurrent retail construction or store development projects.
Strong understanding of commercial construction, architectural and engineering plans, permitting, building codes, landlord requirements, and construction contracts.
Proven ability to develop and manage project budgets, capital expenditures, construction schedules, and vendor relationships.
Experience partnering with design teams to deliver visually compelling, brand-right retail environments.
Exceptional project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain attention to detail.
Strong financial acumen and ability to assess trade-offs, manage change orders, and make informed recommendations.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, including the ability to influence stakeholders and hold external partners accountable.
Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and ability to navigate ambiguity in a fast-growing business.
Willingness to travel regularly to construction sites and retail locations as projects require.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a growing specialty retail, fashion, lifestyle, or premium consumer brand.

Responsibilities

Partner with the VP of Retail to execute Tuckernuck’s retail expansion strategy and multi-year store development pipeline.
Lead new retail location development from site evaluation and due diligence through construction, turnover, and opening.
Work with internal stakeholders, landlords, brokers, and external partners to evaluate site feasibility, buildout requirements, risks, and opportunities.
Support site selection and lease-related diligence by assessing construction costs, landlord work letters, tenant improvement allowances, delivery conditions, and other development considerations.
Develop a repeatable framework for store development that supports efficient expansion while maintaining quality and consistency.
Plan and execute multiple store construction and renovation projects, managing schedules, budgets, scope, and milestones.
Oversee architectural and engineering coordination, space planning, permitting, contractor selection, bidding, construction, inspections, and final turnover.
Manage general contractors, architects, engineers, consultants, and other external partners to meet timelines, budgets, quality standards, and contractual requirements.
Identify and resolve construction challenges, permitting delays, cost overruns, and other project risks.
Establish project plans, reporting cadences, and escalation processes to maintain visibility and accountability across active projects.
Conduct regular site visits to monitor progress, quality, safety, and adherence to approved plans.
Partner with Design, Visual Merchandising, and the VP of Retail to ensure locations reflect Tuckernuck’s aesthetic, customer experience, and merchandising needs.
Translate store concepts and design intent into executable construction plans, specifications, and finish schedules.
Help establish and maintain scalable store design standards, fixture specifications, material selections, and construction guidelines while accommodating each location’s characteristics.
Coordinate with Technology, Operations, and Visual Merchandising on fixtures, lighting, signage, point-of-sale systems, network infrastructure, security, and other store-readiness requirements.
Oversee construction completion, punch lists, landlord turnover, and final readiness milestones for store openings.
Develop and manage project budgets, construction cost estimates, cash flow forecasts, and capital expenditure plans for new stores and renovations.
Partner with Finance and the VP of Retail to evaluate project economics, monitor capital commitments, and maintain development forecasts.
Track actual costs against approved budgets, manage change orders, and identify cost efficiencies without compromising quality or customer experience.
Report regularly on project status, budget performance, schedule adherence, risks, and key decisions required.
Maintain organized project documentation, contracts, permits, schedules, and closeout records.
Build and maintain relationships with landlords, developers, brokers, general contractors, architects, engineers, and other external partners.
Lead vendor evaluation, bid comparisons, scope alignment, contract coordination, and performance management.
Serve as the central point of accountability for store development projects, ensuring clear communication and timely decision-making across stakeholders.
Coordinate cross-functional dependencies, align priorities, and resolve issues that could affect store delivery or opening dates.
Develop standardized tools, timelines, budgets, checklists, and project management processes for a growing store fleet.
Identify opportunities to improve construction efficiency, reduce development costs, mitigate risk, and accelerate project delivery.
Document project lessons learned and incorporate improvements into future store development.
Establish clear handoffs between construction completion, store setup, merchandising execution, and operational readiness.
Support improvements to existing locations, including renovations, repairs, and capital projects as needed.