Job description
Blue Bottle Coffee is looking for a Director of Cafe Development to serve as the head of construction for cafe development in North America. This individual will oversee all aspects of construction across our growing portfolio of cafes and facilities. They will oversee both new cafes and renovations on our existing cafes, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the high quality standards of Blue Bottle Coffee.
This individual will work cross functionally with our real estate, design, facilities and operations teams throughout the development lifecycle, from feasibility and pre-construction through handover, in addition to cafe renovations and expansions in our existing portfolio. They will lead the internal cafe development (construction) team and manage external partners, vendors, and consultants.
This position sits within the Real Estate & Cafe Development Team, and will play a part in developing a globally scalable expansion strategy. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker prepared to own continual improvement of our development processes and management of our building costs.
You will:
- Lead all construction processes for new cafe and facility builds, renovations, and upgrades
- Define and execute a globally scalable cafe development process, with direct accountability for on time, on budget openings in North America
- Oversee budgeting, bidding, scheduling, permitting, and construction execution across multiple concurrent projects
- Ensure cost effective delivery by identifying and implementing value engineering opportunities while preserving design integrity
- Rigorously control projects costs, manage change orders, and track against budget with transparency
- Maintain and evolve Blue Bottle’s construction standards, documentation, and processes to support growth
- Vet, select, and manage general contractors, consultants, and vendors across all project phases with a focus on innovation, speed and cost-efficiency
- Conduct site reviews and coordinate punch list resolution, handover, and closeout documentation
- Partner closely with Real Estate and Design to ensure feasibility, constructability, and budget from early phases
- Establish KPIs and review mechanisms to drive accountability, track performance, and optimize our development playbook.
- Report project status, risks, and budget updates to senior leadership
- Shape the future of the brand’s physical presence and customer experience, balancing commercial success and cultural relevance
You are:
- Able to work simultaneously at both strategic and highly tactical projects
- Able to manage multiple concurrent projects at national scale
- Adept at managing high-impact projects with multiple stakeholders across matrixed organizations
- Able to successfully manage outside contractors, vendors and consultants
- A trusted communicator and thought partner
- Passionate about delivering extraordinary guest experiences and elevating brand through physical spaces
- Curious, resourceful, and grounded in a test, learn, and scale mindset
You have:
- 8+ years of progressive experience in construction management for retail, with focus on multiunit retail operators
- Experience in building out retail spaces in high-growth, consumer-facing industries (e.g., hospitality, food & beverage, retail)
- Proven success in scaling physical retail across multiple market types and geographies
- Expertise in managing full development lifecycles: strategy, sourcing, negotiation, construction, and delivery
- Deep knowledge of MEP systems, construction documents, permitting, and ADA compliance
- Experience working with remote teams and managing complex, multi-region project timelines
- Exceptional communications, budgeting and vendor management skills
- A love for great coffee, thoughtful design, and creating spaces that bring people together
The following is a list of the physical activity requirements and environmental factors related to this role. Blue Bottle is committed to partnering with all candidates and employees to ensure reasonable accommodations are made to meet the following:
- Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
- Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.
- Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
- Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal and written documentation.
- Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. This role requires a mix of sedentary work and active on-site engagement in cafe environments. Occasionally, walking, climbing stairs, and standing occur in this role.
- Environment: This role is protected within a building, but may be exposed to mild changes in temperature with heating or air conditioning.
Travel:
- This is a remote position with required travel (30–50%) to key markets and development sites. Additional walking, stooping, sitting, and mobility may be required. Exposure to outside environmental elements may be experienced due to travel through airports, airplanes, and in between facilities.
A few benefits we offer:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage for eligible employees starting on your first day
- Best-in-class coffee training and continuing education
- Free membership into the Specialty Coffee Association of America and discounts on events (including Expos and Championships)
- 401(k) plan
- Paid time off & paid volunteer hours
- 50% discount on all products, both online and in-cafe; this includes food, beverages, whole-bean coffee, and merchandise
- Flexible spending account & commuter benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Additional benefits information
Compensation:
- This position has a minimum salary of $167,000. This salary is a good-faith estimate for this position. The final salary offer will be determined after reviewing relevant factors, which include a candidate’s qualifications and experience, where appropriate.
$167,000 - $252,000 a year
At Blue Bottle Coffee, you’ll be a vital part of our guests’ experience and a crucial link in delivering the most delicious coffee we can find to every person who walks through our doors, be it in person or online. If you’re ready to bring beautiful and thoughtfully rendered experiences to life, please apply and join us.
Blue Bottle is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value an open mind, dedication to work, and a collaborative spirit. We hire based on these qualities, a job’s requirements, our business’s needs, and an applicant’s qualifications. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind in the hiring process or in the workplace.
We comply with the ADA and provide reasonable accommodations that allow qualified applicants/employees to perform the essential functions of the job. We also provide reasonable religious accommodations to applicants/employees to allow them to practice their bona fide religious beliefs. To request an accommodation, contact your People Partner.
We may refuse to hire relatives of present employees if doing so could result in actual or potential problems in supervision, security, safety, or morale, or if doing so could create other conflicts of interest.
We will consider employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
We participate in E-Verify. We will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the U.S. We will only use E-Verify once an employee has accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.
