Vice President of Development

Hai Hospitality•Austin, TX

About The Position

The Vice President of Development is responsible for diligently managing the buildout of all new Uchi and Loro restaurants as well as the renovations of Hai’s existing restaurant portfolio. The VP of Development will report directly to the Chief Development Officer while working closely with the Hai internal design team as well as Hai’s operations and chef teams to ensure a cohesive and coordinated process throughout all stages of project development. The VP of Development will lead an internal team of construction managers and have responsibility for delivering all projects on schedule and on budget.

Responsibilities

Team Management:
Lead, manage, and mentor the in-house construction management team
Build, develop, and retain high-performing construction staff
Establish accountability, performance standards, and KPIs for the team
Foster a proactive, solution-oriented culture (not just issue escalation)
Partner cross-functionally with Development, Design, Finance, and Operations teams
Develop succession planning and leadership pipeline within construction function
Contractor & Vendor Management:
Interview, diligence, and select general contractors in partnership with CDO
Oversee and manage all general contractors across projects
Negotiate AIA contracts and vet bids for completeness and accuracy
Build and maintain strong relationships with contractor project managers
Ensure coordination across all vendors (GC, kitchen, AV, refrigeration, landscaping, etc.)
Resolve disputes, issues, and performance concerns in a timely manner
Establish preferred vendor/GC network and performance scorecards
Standardize procurement and bid leveling processes
Preconstruction & Planning:
Assist in feasibility studies and early-stage project evaluation
Develop realistic construction budgets and project schedules
Provide constructability input during conceptual and design phases
Review and redline schematic and design development plans
Identify design gaps, errors, and omissions prior to construction
Review permit and bid drawing sets
Approve final plans prior to permitting and procurement
Lead value engineering efforts to optimize cost and efficiency
Align scope, budget, and schedule with overall development pro forma
Project Execution & Oversight:
Ensure timely project starts and adherence to approved schedules
Maintain deep understanding of each project’s scope, timeline, and risks
Attend OAC meetings and provide direction to GCs and consultants
Conduct regular site visits to monitor progress and quality
Oversee punch list completion and project turnover readiness
Coordinate smooth handoff to operations and opening teams
Enforce construction quality standards and brand consistency across locations
Implement standardized project execution playbooks
Financial Oversight & Cost Control:
Maintain accurate project budgets and cost projections
Review and approve contractor payment applications
Manage change orders, ensuring cost and scope alignment
Produce monthly project status reports (budget vs. actual, forecast, schedule)
Monitor financial risks and escalate as needed
Ensure lien waivers and claim releases are properly executed
Drive cost benchmarking across projects and markets
Identify and implement cost-saving strategies at scale
Schedule & Risk Management:
Monitor adherence to project schedules and milestones
Identify and report risks to budget and timeline (weekly to CDO)
Proactively solve problems impacting delivery
Ensure timely responses to RFIs, submittals, and field issues
Develop mitigation strategies for delays, supply chain issues, and permitting risks
Implement standardized risk tracking and reporting systems
Design & Technical Coordination:
Provide building and systems input during early design phases
Ensure alignment between design intent and construction execution
Coordinate with architects, engineers, and consultants
Review drawings for constructability and compliance
Ensure integration of brand standards and operational requirements into design
Drive continuous improvement feedback loop between construction and design teams
Regulatory, Permitting & Compliance:
Verify compliance with municipal requirements (health, signage, permits, etc.)
Approve plans prior to submission for permitting
Ensure projects meet all regulatory and code requirements
Oversee permitting strategy and jurisdictional risk management
Ensure ADA, life safety, and health compliance across all projects
Closeout & Turnover:
Oversee punch list completion and final inspections
Ensure compliance with all project closeout requirements
Coordinate turnover to operations and opening teams
Ensure all documentation, warranties, and manuals are delivered
Standardize closeout procedures and timelines across projects
Cross-Functional & Operational Integration:
Work with finance (comptroller) and GCs on utilities setup
Partner with operations for seamless NRO (New Restaurant Opening) execution
Collaborate with internal teams to improve renovation and maintenance processes
Align construction timelines with marketing and operational launch plans
Support lifecycle asset management and capital planning
Process Improvement & Systems:
Improve processes and tools supporting construction and renovations
Drive efficiency in workflows and communication
Implement construction management systems and reporting dashboards
Standardize documentation, templates, and SOPs
Leverage data to improve forecasting and execution performance
Leadership:
Be a brand ambassador and behavior model our Mission, Values, and Culture.
Provide a hands-on visible presence and leadership.
Be a motivator; a role model demonstrating team-first leadership mentality.
Build and maintain trusting relationships with restaurant and home office teams.
Be a collaborative, energetic, and solutions-oriented leader.
Foster growth oriented, positive, and encouraging environment while keeping restaurant management accountable to company policies, procedures, and guidelines.
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.
Maintain a high degree of accessibility and availability to listen, learn, and solve problems.
Support transparent and ongoing communications with all departments and restaurants.