Director of Cafe Development

Summary

Join Blue Bottle Coffee as the Director of Cafe Development and lead the construction of cafes across North America. Oversee all aspects of construction for new cafes and renovations, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. Collaborate with real estate, design, facilities, and operations teams throughout the development lifecycle. Lead the internal cafe development team and manage external partners. Develop a globally scalable expansion strategy and continually improve development processes. Manage project costs, track performance, and report to senior leadership. Shape the future of the brand's physical presence and customer experience.

Requirements

• Able to work simultaneously at both strategic and highly tactical projects
• Able to manage multiple concurrent projects at national scale
• Adept at managing high-impact projects with multiple stakeholders across matrixed organizations
• Able to successfully manage outside contractors, vendors and consultants
• A trusted communicator and thought partner
• Passionate about delivering extraordinary guest experiences and elevating brand through physical spaces
• Curious, resourceful, and grounded in a test, learn, and scale mindset
• 8+ years of progressive experience in construction management for retail, with focus on multiunit retail operators
• Experience in building out retail spaces in high-growth, consumer-facing industries (e.g., hospitality, food & beverage, retail)
• Proven success in scaling physical retail across multiple market types and geographies
• Expertise in managing full development lifecycles: strategy, sourcing, negotiation, construction, and delivery
• Deep knowledge of MEP systems, construction documents, permitting, and ADA compliance
• Experience working with remote teams and managing complex, multi-region project timelines
• Exceptional communications, budgeting and vendor management skills
• A love for great coffee, thoughtful design, and creating spaces that bring people together

Responsibilities

• Lead all construction processes for new cafe and facility builds, renovations, and upgrades
• Define and execute a globally scalable cafe development process, with direct accountability for on time, on budget openings in North America
• Oversee budgeting, bidding, scheduling, permitting, and construction execution across multiple concurrent projects
• Ensure cost effective delivery by identifying and implementing value engineering opportunities while preserving design integrity
• Rigorously control projects costs, manage change orders, and track against budget with transparency
• Maintain and evolve Blue Bottle’s construction standards, documentation, and processes to support growth
• Vet, select, and manage general contractors, consultants, and vendors across all project phases with a focus on innovation, speed and cost-efficiency
• Conduct site reviews and coordinate punch list resolution, handover, and closeout documentation
• Partner closely with Real Estate and Design to ensure feasibility, constructability, and budget from early phases
• Establish KPIs and review mechanisms to drive accountability, track performance, and optimize our development playbook
• Report project status, risks, and budget updates to senior leadership
• Shape the future of the brand’s physical presence and customer experience, balancing commercial success and cultural relevance

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage for eligible employees starting on your first day
• Best-in-class coffee training and continuing education
• Free membership into the Specialty Coffee Association of America and discounts on events (including Expos and Championships)
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off & paid volunteer hours
• 50% discount on all products, both online and in-cafe; this includes food, beverages, whole-bean coffee, and merchandise
• Flexible spending account & commuter benefits
• Employee Assistance Program