Director of Construction, North America Flagship

Overview

The Director of Construction, North America Flagship leads the development and execution of the Company's owned real estate and flagship retail projects — from ground-up new construction and multistory mixed-use developments through core & shell base-building scope and interior fit-out. This is a hands-on, technically fluent role for a construction subject matter expert who can move seamlessly between the job site, the negotiating table, and the boardroom. The ideal candidate is a builder at heart: someone who can read a structural set, resolve a constructability issue in the field, hold a general contractor accountable to schedule, and just as easily brief senior leadership on project status and risk. Success in this role depends on the ability to lead complex, high-visibility projects through genuine ambiguity, to build and align a diverse and dynamic team of internal partners and external architects, engineers, contractors, and consultants, and to communicate clearly and credibly across every audience the role touches — internal cross-functional teams, senior leaders, contractors, consultants, and building officials alike.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, design coordination, and construction execution for owned and flagship locations, including ground-up new construction, multistory mixed-use projects, and core & shell/base-building scope in addition to interior fit-out.
• Serve as the organization's hands-on subject matter expert on construction means, methods, and sequencing — reviewing architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings directly and proactively identifying and resolving constructability issues before they become field problems.
• Own end-to-end delivery of complex, concurrent projects — from site due diligence and entitlement through permitting, construction, and store opening — managing scope, schedule, budget, and risk across the portfolio.
• Navigate ambiguous or evolving project conditions with sound, practical judgment, developing workable solutions under real time and budget pressure rather than escalating every issue.
• Build, lead, and coordinate a diverse and dynamic team of internal partners and external architects, engineers, general contractors, and specialty consultants, aligning a wide range of personalities and priorities around a shared schedule and vision.
• Partner closely with Real Estate, Store Design, Visual Merchandising, Facilities, Legal, and Finance to ensure construction execution supports broader business and brand objectives.
• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with landlords, developers, project management consultants, general contractors, and municipal officials across markets.
• Communicate effectively and credibly across a wide range of audiences — translating technical detail for senior leadership, giving clear and specific direction to contractors and consultants in the field, and engaging constructively and professionally with building officials and permitting authorities.
• Provide regular, transparent updates to senior leadership on project status, risks, and mitigation plans, tailoring the level of detail to the audience.
• Act as a primary point of contact with plan reviewers, inspectors, and other building officials to keep entitlements, permits, and approvals moving on schedule.
• Develop, negotiate, and manage project budgets and construction contracts (GMP, lump sum, CM-at-risk), delivering cost-effective outcomes without compromising quality or brand standards.
• Lead contractor and vendor selection, including RFP development, bid leveling, and negotiation.
• Track project costs, identify and act on cost-saving opportunities, and resolve cost-related issues as they arise throughout the development process.
• Monitor financial performance across the owned and flagship project portfolio, ensuring budget compliance and accurate forecasting.
• Ensure all projects meet the brand's design and quality standards while complying with local codes, zoning, and regulatory requirements.
• Champion jobsite safety standards and hold contractors and consultants accountable to them.
• Stay current on construction methods, materials, codes, and market trends, bringing forward ideas that improve quality, cost, and speed to market.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 10+ years of progressive construction and project management experience, including direct, hands-on delivery of ground-up, multistory, mixed-use, and core & shell projects — this is a working-knowledge requirement, not oversight-only experience.
• Retail, hospitality, or brand-driven store development experience strongly preferred; experience with owned real estate and flagship-format projects is a significant advantage.
• Demonstrated technical fluency: able to independently read, evaluate, and speak knowledgeably to architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings and specifications.
• Proven track record leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects and managing a diverse and dynamic team of internal partners and external consultants toward a shared outcome.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to flex style and content across internal cross-functional teams, senior leaders, contractors, consultants, and building officials.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, contract negotiation, and cost control.
• Strategic thinker with strong, practical problem-solving skills and sound judgment under ambiguity.
• High attention to detail and an uncompromising commitment to quality and brand standards.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and results-oriented leadership style.
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites as needed.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in additional languages is a plus.