Senior Project Manager, Design and Construction

Tierra Encantada, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN is the leader in Spanish immersion early education®, and provides high-quality language immersion education and care to children 6 weeks through 6 years of age. At Tierra Encantada, we believe the earliest years should open a world of possibilities. As the Leader in Spanish Immersion Early Education®, we nurture the whole child through joyful play-based learning and a globally inspired culinary program featuring wholesome meals prepared from scratch each day.

By fostering curiosity, confidence, cultural understanding, and healthy habits, we prepare children for a lifetime of learning while creating warm, engaging environments that families trust. Join us and be part of a mission-driven team that is committed to making a lasting impact-one child, one family, and one community at a time.

Tierra Encantada is hiring a Senior Project Manager, Design & Construction to own on-brand, on-budget, and on-schedule new Tierra Encantada locations by leading the design and build-out of corporate and franchise centers, from preliminary layout through construction close-out, so every center opens ready to provide exceptional Spanish immersion early education® and care. This is a hands‑on, high‑ownership role for someone equally comfortable guiding a floor plan and finish package through design and driving a general contractor to a clean punch list and on‑time opening.

The role has a focus on the design function and has the experience to assist with construction and build‑out responsibilities. This position is based at our Minneapolis corporate office and involves approximately 35% travel to project markets across the U.S.

This is a full time, exempt position with a typical schedule of Monday through Friday with 4 days per week on site at our corporate headquarters in Minneapolis, MN, and 1 day per week WFH on days and weeks there is no travel scheduled. This position is expected to have 35% travel. The base salary range for this position is $130,000 – $150,000 annually depends on qualifications, education, and experience.

This position is also eligible for an annual performance bonus.

• Own the design process for new corporate and franchise centers-preliminary layouts, test fits, construction documents, and permit sets-ensuring each plan reflects Tierra Encantada brand standards and design intent.
• Review and approve preliminary floor plans and coordinate architects, engineers, and site surveyors through approved construction documents.
• Partner with the Real Estate team on site selection to confirm sites support brand standards, licensing requirements, and an efficient, buildable layout.
• Own brand standards and design criteria, guide interior finish selections, and assist with permitting and entitlement process.
• Develop properly scoped project budgets and project schedules with all schedule impact variables identified and remediated, then ensuring rigorous cost control and strict schedule adherence driving external partners to mitigate any delays and hold accountable to time frames.
• Manage the general contractor invitation-to-bid process, including bid packages, RFIs, bid leveling across contractors, and GC selection.
• Negotiate and execute construction agreements (e.g., AIA A102 GMP / Cost-Plus) and preferred-vendor contracts, and manage long‑lead‑time procurement.
• Own corporate and advise on franchise construction from mobilization through close‑out for tenant‑improvement and ground‑up projects, holding contractors accountable to schedule, budget, quality, and safety.
• Run weekly Owner‑Architect‑Contractor (OAC) meetings, manage change orders and RFIs, conduct milestone site visits, and…