Construction Manager

Description

WHO WE ARE

We are a restaurant group that thrives on creating authentic and inspiring experiences for the communities we serve. Through the contributions of countless incredible people, past and present, we're headed to the moon with a simple mission - to make people feel good. While no one on the team is quite like the other, it's our common values that keep us united.

• Be Authentic and Humble
• Act with Integrity
• Bring Good Energy
• Achieve as a Team
• Get Extraordinary Results
• Inspire with Hospitality

ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER ROLE

The Construction Manager is responsible for managing the construction of new restaurant locations and renovation projects for Upward Projects from permit issuance through certificate of occupancy. Reporting directly to the SVP of Construction & Design, this role works alongside the Senior Construction Manager to expand the company's capacity to deliver concurrent construction projects across multiple markets. The Construction Manager serves as the primary owner's representative on assigned projects, managing general contractor performance, schedule adherence, and budget compliance at the field level.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL YOU MUST

• Serve as the primary owner's representative on assigned new construction and renovation projects from permit through certificate of occupancy
• Manage general contractor performance on assigned projects — hold weekly OAC meetings, review schedules, track RFIs and submittals, and escalate issues to the SVP
• Monitor and enforce project schedules; identify delays early and develop recovery plans in coordination with the GC
• Review and approve pay applications, change orders, and contractor invoices within approved authority levels; escalate to SVP for items outside authority
• Conduct regular site visits to inspect construction quality and safety compliance; document findings and hold GCs accountable to correction plans
• Manage the permitting process on assigned projects in coordination with local jurisdictions, landlords, and design consultants
• Coordinate with the design team on FF&E delivery, punch list completion, and brand standard compliance
• Maintain detailed project documentation including schedules, budgets, change order logs, photo records, and meeting minutes
• Provide the SVP with weekly project status updates; flag risks and budget variances proactively
• Support the transition to operations at project completion — coordinate with the Operations team on equipment commissioning, utilities, and opening readiness
• Assist the SVP in maintaining the GC bid list, evaluating new GC relationships, and tracking contractor performance across the portfolio

WHY YOU'LL LOVE UPWARD PROJECTS

• Medical with company contribution
• Vision and Dental Insurance
• Paid time off and earned paid sick time
• 401K with company match
• Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts
• Teledoc Services for all team members
• Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, and AD&D
• Paid Parental Leave
• Meal Discounts and Perks
• Mental Wellness and Life Event Management programs
• Anniversary recognition and rewards

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or related field preferred
• OSHA 30-hour certification preferred
• PMP or equivalent project management certification a plus
• 5+ years of construction project management experience, with at least 2 years in multi-unit restaurant, retail, or hospitality construction
• Demonstrated experience managing GC relationships and holding contractors accountable to schedule and budget
• Experience managing projects from permit through certificate of occupancy required
• Comfortable with remote and field-based work; ability to travel to active project sites as required
• Experience using Procore, Buildertrend, or comparable construction management software preferred
• Familiarity with tenant improvement and ground-up construction both a plus