We are a lifestyle brand! We are on a mission to provide the world with simple, wholesome food and beverage items that fit today's lifestyle, offering an intimate - yet fast and consistent - experience to our customers. We love and take pride in what we do, and we currently offer an exciting opportunity to join a thriving and ever-growing brand in this industry.
ROLE SUMMARY:
As VP of Construction, you'll be a critical leader in the entire development lifecycle for new locations, from the moment a site is secured through the day it opens its doors. You'll be the connective tissue between design, permitting, contractors, municipalities, and our internal operations team — and you'll build and lead the team that makes it all happen. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role reporting directly to the Chief Development Officer, with real influence over how — and how fast — we scale.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Development & Construction Management
Own and coordinate every phase of new location construction, from design and permitting through project completion and turnover to operations. Build, manage, and defend project budgets, driving cost-effectiveness and financial discipline across every job site. Manage relationships with architects, general contractors, subcontractors, and municipal authorities to keep projects on schedule and up to standard. Set and enforce construction timelines and quality benchmarks across multiple simultaneous projects in different markets. Report project status, risks, and budget performance to executive leadership on a regular cadence.
Risk Management:
Proactively identify risks across permitting, entitlements, supply chain, labor, and site conditions — and build mitigation plans before they become delays.
Stay ahead of shifting building codes, zoning regulations, and industry best practices across every market we operate in.
Develop contingency plans that keep projects moving when the unexpected happens.
Post-Development Support:
Lead a clean, well-documented handoff from construction to operations for every new location.
Troubleshoot post-opening facility issues quickly, minimizing disruption to the guest experience.
Partner closely with the operations team to shape store-opening strategy and readiness.
Team Leadership:
Hire, train, and manage a team of project managers who will scale with the brand.
Build a collaborative, accountable, high-performing culture within the real estate and development function.
Serve as a key cross-functional partner to finance, marketing, and HR — ensuring construction plans align with broader business goals.
REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Business, or a related field.15+ years of construction experience, ideally with a multi-unit restaurant, retail, or fast-casual brand. A track record of taking multiple construction projects from concept to grand opening — on time and on budget. Strong leadership skills and experience building and managing a team. Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills — you can speak fluently with contractors and executives alike. Deep knowledge of the permitting and licensing landscape for retail/restaurant locations. National expansion, contacts and key relationships. Comfort analyzing market data to inform site and development decisions. Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to juggle multiple active projects without losing sight of the details. A genuine passion for our mission and brand. Willingness to travel frequently for site visits and market meetings.
BENEFITS:
Health & Wellness – Medical, Dental & VisionPTODiscounted MealsGrowth Opportunities 401(k) Plan with Company MatchThe general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job classification are contained in this job description. This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, essential job functions, duties, skills required and other job requirements of personnel in this role. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the job at any time. Pura Vida Miami is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels welcome, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We believe that building a team with diverse perspectives and experiences makes us stronger, more creative, and more connected to the communities we serve.
Agency Disclaimer:
We've got this covered! At Pura Vida Miami, our Talent Acquisition team leads all hiring efforts internally. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies, we mean it. Any resumes sent our way without a signed agreement in place (including those sent directly to our team or hiring managers) will be considered property of Pura Vida Miami and we won't be responsible for any fees. If you're interested in partnering with us, reach out to our Talent team first. We're happy to connect the right way!
