Job Description
Purpose: The Director of Restaurant Development & Brand Portfolio ensures maximization of real estate value in support of the Development team. This position studies each market segment independently and understands the culinary fabric of each municipality to effectively execute proper concept selection, equipment and restaurant layout, pricing strategies, marketing elements, “one off” negotiations, and menu selection in alignment with the corporate strategic objectives.
Essential Functions:
- Understands and reviews Development strategy for a particular opportunity or assigned markets while maintaining an in-depth understanding of the culinary composition of markets, and identifies the category leaders and/or “tipping brands”
- Comprehends and examines zone analysis with Business Development and Business Development Finance for each airport zone relative to the project under review
- Reviews and interprets market research results alongside core team; prepares and validates preliminary concept plan alongside core team, and obtains timely approval from all current brands for site-specific development
- Completes, manages, and participates in the completion of project location reviews, design layouts, food service equipment plans, and facilitates restaurant designs in compliance with brand standards
- Facilitates all tertiary steps relevant to the Facility Development Process (FDP); ensures concepts are programmed and to maximize sales and labor efficiencies
- Negotiates all aspects of a brand agreement and supplementary Supplier Agreements with profitable business terms, and understanding/alignment with Supply Chain, QA, and Operations
- Determines menu and product list for each concept within corporate and branded concept standards
- Aligns the brand products and procedures with those of the company, ensuring compliance
- Evaluates concept flow-through and functionality alongside Operations leadership and the Director of Brand Partnerships
- Ensures brand agreements are completed and executed in a timely schedule
- Maintains and represents the relationship with all branded concepts in Director’s region/market accounts
- Works with a multidisciplinary team to manage on time delivery of new store openings
Reporting Relationship: This role reports to the Senior Director of Restaurant Portfolio Development
Interdependencies: Business Development, Marketing & Communications, Digital, Category Management, Finance, Operations
Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Work Environment:
- Education and Experience: The combination of education and professional experience must exceed 8 years:
- In a leadership role: Preferably 3 years of experience leading a team of professionals engaged in executing concept development programs
- In a technical role: Requires 8 years of experience engaged in developing and delivering concept development programs
- A bachelor’s degree in a program related to the functional area can count for 3 of the eight-year requirement
- An MBA or a master’s level degree in a program related to the functional area can count for an additional 2 years of the eight-year requirement
- In the industry: 3-5 years Hospitality, F&B and/or Retail experience
· Specialized Training:
- Training that leads to an in-depth understanding of North America traveler and constituency preference data related to travel food and beverage industry
· Specialized Skillset/Competencies/Traits
- Strong project management skills with the ability to balance competing priorities simultaneously; has ability to deliver on tight timelines while maintaining brand standards, budget parameters, and compliance requirements
- Financial acumen including ROI analysis, P&L understanding, and lease negotiations
- Exceptional ability to evaluate market opportunities, analyze competitive landscapes, and translate data-driven insights into high-performing site selection and concept positioning strategies that maximize ROI across diverse geographic markets
- Ability to drive alignment and collaboration across various stakeholders including brand partners, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance; builds consensus and navigates organizational dynamics to achieve shared objectives
- Business acumen and also has the mindset required to understand the long-term implications of concept development planning and to advance the organization’s goals
- Demonstrated history of understanding the needs of the business, stakeholders, the employee population, and individual circumstances
- Demonstrated history of creating and maintaining positive work environments through coaching, developing, and leading teams to achieve common goals
· Location/Travel:
- This role is located at the North America Support Center in Bethesda, MD
- This role requires up to 60% travel to airport locations
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