Construction Project Manager

This position carries the responsibility of planning and managing multiple construction programs and cost-effective methodologies for KFC's equity restaurants. The incumbent plays a pivotal role as the principal custodian of construction relationships within the KFC development department.

Furthermore, this role involves the establishment of foundational cost models, project management, active participation in upholding brand architectural standards, and contributing to global sustainability initiatives. Innovative thinking around construction, developing and utilization of tools aimed at enhancing the execution of remodeling, new construction projects, and special initiatives is expected. A paramount aspect of this role is taking ownership of educating franchisees across these multifaceted endeavors, which is integral to achieving success in this capacity.

Additionally, this role coordinates the design and operations feedback phase as a distinct requirement specific to KFC Equity stores, as we move forward into the construction phase of projects.

Key Responsibilities:

Design Implementation:
Oversee design consultants for new sites, remodels & refresh projects

* Manage design consultants as they apply the latest KFC design standards to new restaurants, major & minor remodels, and refresh projects
• Develop the timeline for design milestones and set expectations with all consultants

* Deliver a tightly coordinated drawing sets across all external consultant disciplines (architecture; mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering; kitchen equipment; structural engineering; civil engineering; landscape design) and internal stakeholders (information technology, digital assets, operations)

* Ensure coordination of all owner-direct vendors, including bulk oil management, bulk CO2, music system, CCTV system, music system, internet service, and alarm system

* Manage design consultant budgets, proposals, change orders, and invoices for all projects to drive value and minimize cost; maintain accurate cost information in the tracking system and regularly report project cost forecast vs. budget to Leadership

* Host weekly meetings with consultants to review, forecast, and manage project pipeline milestones

* Review construction drawings to ensure alignment with project scope and current KFC standards and host a page turn with internal and external stakeholders to confirm thorough coordination across all disciplines

* Develop and detail Scope of Work documents for remodels and refresh projects with internal stakeholders

* Host page turn meetings with the consultants, development team, and internal stakeholders to confirm alignment across project team on the scope of work for new sites and remodels

* Oversee the permit and entitlement process in partnership with a permit expeditor; understand the timeline, intermittent milestones, costs, and approvals requirements to commence the construction project

* Support external consultants through the permitting and entitlements process, including building permit, health permit, and signage permit for all new sites, remodels, and refresh projects as required; creatively finding solutions to start construction as quickly as possible with all permits

* Monitor the Landlord approval process, including design, signage, and construction drawing review signoff

* Maintain organized and accurate records of drawing sets issued for each project, including revisions and bulletins as needed during the permitting and construction phases

* Identify options and opportunities to value engineer projects to meet schedule and budget

Construction Execution:
Deliver high-quality projects on-time & on-budget

* Manage, monitor, and drive the overall construction project schedule to delivery projects on-time

* Build, manage, and update the overall construction budget to accurately reflect a project forecast; collaborate with the Sr. Analyst to ensure accurate reporting to Finance and Leadership

* Communicate the status of each construction project with Leadership, including schedule, budget, and risks

* Maintain a current project schedule and detailed budget forecast in the project tracking system (currently Smart Sheet), which shall be updated on a weekly basis to include all approved and potential change orders

* Negotiate and challenge change orders from all vendors in partnership with the design consultants (Architect, Engineer, etc.) to mitigate cost impact to the project budget

* Lead weekly project meetings with all vendors for projects in the Design and Construction phases; distribute meeting minutes, action items, and the project schedule within 48 hours of the meeting

* Circulate construction project progress photos weekly to the wider project team and Leadership

* Develop a contact list for each project and circulate to the wider project team for collaboration

* Solicit bids from all vendors to support the project, including the design consultants, general contractor, and all direct vendors (including RSCS, for…