Cushman & Wakefield
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The Senior Development Manager is responsible for leading entitlement, zoning, and permitting efforts for new QSR restaurant development while driving cross functional alignment to deliver projects from site selection through opening. This role serves as the central point of coordination across Real Estate, Legal, Design, Construction, Property Management, Facilities, and Operations to ensure projects advance efficiently, compliantly, and in alignment with corporate growth objectives. The position requires deep experience navigating municipal processes, managing jurisdictional stakeholders, and proactively resolving entitlement and permitting risks that could impact schedule, cost, or brand standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the full development lifecycle for new restaurant projects, including feasibility, budgeting, scheduling, permitting, construction, and turnover to operations
- Manage multiple development projects simultaneously across various markets
- Partner with Real Estate to evaluate sites, review LOIs, and support lease negotiations from a development perspective
- Develop and manage project budgets, schedules, and risk mitigation plans
- Oversee architects, engineers, general contractors, and consultants to ensure quality, cost control, and schedule adherence
- Drive adherence to standardized QSR prototypes while managing site-specific adaptations
- Ensure projects meet local jurisdiction requirements, brand standards, health codes, and operational needs
- Identify opportunities for value engineering, prototype optimization, and schedule compression
- Provide clear, executive-level reporting on project status, risks, timelines, and capital spend
- Support continuous improvement of QSR development processes and standards
- Ensure entitlement and permitting timelines align with construction schedules and opening targets
- Facilitate regular cross‑functional meetings to resolve issues and maintain momentum
- Maintain accountability across departments without direct authority
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Real Estate, Business, or related field
- 8–12+ years of experience in QSR, retail, multi-unit commercial development, or related field
- Proven experience delivering high-volume, repeatable QSR projects
- Strong understanding of QSR-specific development drivers, including drive-thru design, equipment coordination, and fast-track schedules
- Demonstrated ability to manage costs, timelines, and vendor performance across multiple projects
- Experience working within standardized prototypes and brand guidelines
- Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to influence cross-functional partners without direct authority
- Proficiency with project management, budgeting, and reporting tools
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting aggressive new unit growth (15-20+ openings per year)
- Familiarity with pad sites, in-line spaces, and conversions
- Proven experience delivering high-volume, repeatable QSR projects
- Demonstrated ability to manage costs, timelines, and vendor performance across multiple projects
- Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to influence cross-functional partners without direct authority
- Proficiency with project management, budgeting, and reporting tools like Smartsheet, ACC,
- Strong understanding of QSR-specific development drivers, including drive-thru design, equipment coordination, and fast-track schedules
- Willingness to travel as required to support development and openings
Source: Cushman Wakefield Career Page
