Senior Project Manager, Development

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At Shake Shack, our mission is to Stand For Something Good in all that we do. From our teams to our neighborhoods, we're committed to always doing the right thing. As one of the fastest-growing hospitality brands, we're all about crafting unforgettable experiences for our guests. We offer endless learning opportunities and the chance to make a lasting impact on our business, restaurants, and communities. As a member of the #ShackFam, you’ll have access to hands-on mentorship, training, and growth potential, all in a fun and inclusive environment.

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Job Summary

The Senior Development Project Manager is responsible for managing the full pre-construction process for assigned new store development projects, from site handoff through construction start. This role is responsible for hands-on project execution, including developing and managing schedules, pacing, and execution plans, while maintaining high standards in order to deliver projects on schedule, within scope, and aligned with organizational goals. The Senior PM ensures overall project delivery with a focus on landlord coordination, entitlements, permitting, and cross-functional communication.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

• Manage a portfolio of assigned development projects from site handoff through construction start, including overall schedule, landlord deliverables, entitlements, and permitting.

• Develop and continuously adjust comprehensive project execution plans; establishing realistic timelines and critical milestones for all project phases in the context of landlord delivery and departmental goals.

• Monitor and track project progress, directly intervening to remove blockers and ensure day-to-day tasks stay on track, maintaining schedule, budget, and quality targets.

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for internal teams, external consultants, and landlords for assigned projects.

• Coordinate cross-functionally with real estate, design, permitting, and construction teams, participating directly in task resolution to ensure seamless project delivery.

• Maintain and update project schedules, budgets, and status reports for assigned projects, escalating risks or delays to leadership promptly.

• Oversee entitlement and permitting activities for all assigned sites.

• Lead weekly regional pipeline meeting and deal review meeting; ensure action items are tracked, assigned, and completed.

• Lead internal kickoff and due diligence reviews for assigned projects, actively managing next steps and follow-ups.

• Manage entitlement and permitting budgets and fees for all assigned sites 

• Attend and contribute to project meetings, providing clear updates on schedules, risks, and outstanding actions.

• Conduct site visits as needed to verify landlord work progress and coordinate resolution of deficiencies.

• Support process improvement initiatives as directed, contributing insights from project execution experience.

• Direct oversight of Permitting Manager

 Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.

• Deep understanding of end-to-end development processes, with expertise in entitlements and permitting.

• Experience developing and executing schedules, pacing, and project execution plans.

• Exceptional communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

• Proficiency in project tracking tools and scheduling software; Excel and Microsoft Office required.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, and Bluebeam preferred.

• Domestic travel required.

 Requirements

Education Requirements

Bachelor's Degree

Education or Certificate Details

Degree in Real Estate, Construction, Architecture, Interior Design or Engineering

Work Experience

• 6–8 years of experience in real estate development, design project management, construction project management, or related field managing multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment

Supervisory Experience

• 2-4 years

Related Experience

• Real Estate Development

• Construction

• Project Management

• Architecture/Engineering

• Tenant Coordination

• Permitting and Entitlements

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