VP, Construction & Design

The Vice President, Construction & Design leads Sarku Japan's capital development program, overseeing construction execution together with design governance, prototype evolution and fleet modernization across all restaurant formats, including new restaurant openings, remodels, relocations, acquisition conversions, franchise development, and non-traditional venues. The role is construction-led (approximately 80%) with executive oversight of design (approximately 20%), ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, on budget and in accordance with company standards.

This executive leadership role is accountable for delivering every construction project safely, consistently, on schedule, on budget, and in accordance with approved design standards while continuously improving construction processes, vendor performance, and capital efficiency.

• Develop and execute Sarku's construction strategy and operating model, including organizational structure, staffing plans, and annual operating plans aligned to company growth objectives.
• Build a scalable construction organization capable of supporting accelerated corporate and franchise growth.
• Establish departmental KPIs, priorities, and performance standards; monitor performance and improve visibility through standardized reporting and dashboards.
• Mentor and develop construction leadership, including succession planning for key positions and evaluation of future organizational needs.
• Foster a culture focused on accountability, execution, collaboration, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

• Lead execution of all corporate construction projects — new restaurant openings, remodels, relocations, and acquisition conversions — across mall, street-side, non-traditional, and international formats.
• Oversee the complete project lifecycle from lease execution/site approval through restaurant turnover, coordinating pre-construction planning with Real Estate, Design, Operations, and Finance and ensuring construction readiness prior to permit submission.
• Ensure all projects meet approved schedules, budgets, and quality expectations; monitor milestones and proactively identify execution risks.
• Evaluate constructability and building conditions during acquisition due diligence, and coordinate permitting, contractor selection, demolition, and reconstruction for conversions and remodels in accordance with approved design standards.
• Develop annual construction schedules supporting remodel execution and fleet modernization, sequencing work to minimize operational disruption.
• Develop strategies to reduce development cycle time from lease execution to opening, and conduct post-project reviews to incorporate lessons learned.

• Own architectural and design governance across all restaurant formats, ensuring consistency with approved brand and prototype standards.
• Lead continuous evolution of the restaurant prototype (2G/3G), partnering with Brand and Commercial teams on design intent while owning technical feasibility and constructability standards.
• Directly manage the Sr. Director, Architecture & Design (Consultant) and Sr. Manager, Design, and oversee engagement of external architects, engineers, and specialty design consultants.
• Approve design variances and ensure remodel, new-build, and conversion projects comply with approved design standards.
• Partner with Real Estate and Commercial teams to translate brand and menu initiatives into buildable design and equipment specifications, supporting value engineering to balance brand experience with cost and schedule.

• Own annual construction capital and operating budgets; develop long-range capital forecasts, construction cost benchmarks, and historical cost databases.
• Lead project bidding and contractor procurement processes, including pre-construction budgeting; approve project budgets and monitor capital deployment across all development initiatives.
• Review project estimates, monitor change orders and cost variances, and recommend…