Senior Construction Manager, Special Projects

Brand:

Bagel Brands is the parent company for your favorite breakfast brands, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Bruegger's Bagels, Noah's NY Bagels, and Manhattan Bagel. We believe in the bagel and how it has the unique ability to bring people together. Our team has a standard set of values and behaviors that allow us to spread a little more joy and happiness in the world. They let us laugh, smile, and enjoy each others company a little more. These are the behaviors that guide how we work, how we treat each other, and how we treat our guests. We believe that there is no better way to make someones day than with a warm, fresh-baked bagel and a heart-felt good morning.

POSITION MISSION

The Senior Construction Manager, Special Projects is responsible for leading the execution of strategic reinvestment and special construction projects across Bagel Brands national portfolio of bakery-cafes. This role manages projects including remodels, relocations, brand conversions, acquisition conversions, and multi-site rollout initiatives that support operational excellence, guest experience, and long-term business growth.

Through strong project management, cross-functional partnership, and operational leadership, this role ensures projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget. In alignment with Bagel Brands Mission, Vision, and Values, the Construction Manager, Special Projects drives continuous improvement, fosters collaboration across teams, and helps create environments where team members and guests can thrive.

Department: Development

Annual Salary: $135,000 to $140,000

Bonus: 15%

LTIP: $20,000

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Project & Program Management

• Lead multiple simultaneous construction and reinvestment projects across Bagel Brands portfolio, including remodels, relocations, conversions, acquisitions, and other special projects.
• Manage projects through all phases including scoping, due diligence, design, entitlement, permitting, construction, turnover, and closeout.
• Ensure projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and in alignment with company standards, operational requirements, and project objectives.
• Identify and execute opportunities for value-add reinvestment initiatives that improve operational efficiency, guest experience, and asset performance.
• Assist in evaluating acquisition opportunities with focus on facility conditions, conversion scope, and capital investment implications.
• Build and maintain capital expenditure tracking models and support preparation of project budgets and investment requests for leadership review.

Construction Execution & Field Leadership

• Direct day-to-day project execution activities including contractor coordination, project scheduling, issue resolution, and construction oversight.
• Manage external architects, consultants, contractors, vendors, and turnkey partners to ensure quality, schedule adherence, and scope execution.
• Review and manage RFIs, submittals, change orders, project documentation, and construction reporting.
• Conduct site visits and field inspections to monitor project progress, ensure quality standards, and address project challenges proactively.
• Lead onsite punch walks, turnover processes, and project closeout activities with Operations teams.
• Coordinate vendor deliveries, field communication, and onsite execution activities to support efficient project delivery.
• Ensure project files, documentation, and communication are maintained in accordance with company standards and best practices.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Operational Alignment

• Partner closely with Real Estate, Design, Facilities, Operations, Finance, and other cross-functional teams to align project execution with operational and business priorities.
• Support preconstruction activities including project scoping, estimating, permitting, contracting, and operational readiness planning.
• Represent Bagel Brands in interactions with landlords, inspectors, utility providers, municipalities, and other external stakeholders to support project approvals and mitigate risks.
• Provide regular project updates, reporting, and communication to leadership and business partners.
• Field permitting, licensing, and construction-related questions from consultants, vendors, and internal stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement & Strategic Support

• Identify opportunities to improve construction processes, project delivery standards, specifications, and operational efficiencies.
• Support development and implementation of best practices across construction and reinvestment programs.
• Contribute to Development team strategic initiatives and broader organizational growth objectives.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement across project teams and partners.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES (MANAGER)

• Effective Communication: Communicates with credibility and influence across all levels of the organization, building alignment among internal stakeholders, external partners, and project teams to drive successful outcomes.
• Accountability & Ownership : Takes ownership of complex programs, capital investments, and project outcomes. Proactively identifies risks, resolves issues, and ensures commitments are delivered with excellence.
• Adaptability & Perseverance: Navigates ambiguity, changing priorities, and project challenges with resilience and a solutions-oriented mindset. Maintains momentum while balancing competing business needs.
• Empowerment: Builds strong partnerships and fosters collaboration across cross-functional teams, consultants, contractors, and business leaders to achieve shared objectives.
• Curiosity: Continuously seeks opportunities to improve project delivery, construction processes, specifications, and operational outcomes through innovation, learning, and best practices.
• Self-Awareness: Demonstrates professionalism, sound judgment, and emotional intelligence. Seeks feedback, adapts approach when needed, and builds trust through consistent actions and behaviors.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Minimum of 68 years of experience in construction management, real estate development, or related development functions.
• Experience managing remodels, conversions, rollout programs, relocations, or multi-site construction initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects simultaneously within schedule and budget constraints.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, permitting, entitlements, vendor management, and project execution.
• Experience leading and influencing cross-functional teams and external partners in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings and specifications.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Experience utilizing industry-standard project management tools and software including Microsoft Office, Bluebeam, Procore, Smartsheet, and scheduling platforms.
• Bachelors degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Real Estate, Urban Planning, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to travel up to 50% as business needs require.

Preferred:

• Experience within restaurant, retail, or multi-unit development environments.
• Experience supporting acquisition conversions or reinvestment-focused development programs.
• Working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
• Experience supporting process improvement or programmatic construction initiatives.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This role requires frequent travel to active construction sites, bakery-cafes, and development locations. The position regularly involves standing, walking construction sites, climbing stairs, bending, lifting, and moving throughout active project environments for extended periods of time. The role also requires the ability to sit, use a computer, and participate in meetings and project reviews. Occasional lifting or carrying of materials up to 25 pounds may be required. These requirements may be met with or without reasonable accommodation.

The duties of this position may change from time to time. The Company reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the Company or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed and is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Bagel Brands is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and fair treatment in employment for all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

**Ranges reflect what employer reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for such position.

The physical demands for this position are sits, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours. These physical requirements may be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodations.

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Bagel Brands reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the company or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Bagel Brands is committed to providing equal employment opportunity, and fair treatment in employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender/gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, military status or any other basis in protected by applicable federal, state and local law. Bagel Brands makes employment decisions based solely on qualifications for the position.