Construction Project Manager

Reports To: Senior Director, Design & Construction
The Construction Project Manager is responsible for overseeing the full life cycle of Mary Brown’s and Fat Bastard Burrito Quick Service Restaurants across Canada, under MBI Brands. This includes ground-up and pad developments, freestanding and in-line restaurants, conversions, relocations, non-traditional sites and major renovations. Responsibilities span preconstruction and site approval through design, permitting, tendering, construction, turnover, grand opening, financial reconciliation, and closeout. This role requires a high degree of autonomy and accountability to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with brand, operational, quality, and regulatory standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
PROJECT PLANNING & CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Lead multiple concurrent restaurant development and construction projects from site approval through grand opening and closeout, including dual brand build projects up to approximately 5,000 sq. ft.
Develop and manage project schedules, critical paths, milestones, budgets, forecasts, risk assessments, and overall project execution.
Coordinate franchisees, landlords, developers, architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, municipalities, and internal teams to ensure timely project delivery.
Review architectural, engineering, construction, permit, and shop drawings, specifications, CCDC contracts, and related documentation. Prepare, track, and administer SOWs, POs, COs, SIs, and project records.
Lead the tendering process, including tender packages, contractor invitations, scope reviews, negotiations, bid analysis, and contract awards.
Manage contractors and consultants to ensure compliance with project scope, schedules, budgets, contracts, workmanship, quality, and safety standards.
Conduct site and progress reviews, resolve deficiencies, mitigate risks, and coordinate utilities, permits, inspections, occupancy, turnover, and restaurant openings.
Develop, monitor, and reconcile project budgets, contractor draws, invoices, consultant fees, change orders, allowances, credits, and capital expenditures. Implement cost-control and value-engineering strategies.
Oversee project closeout and financial reconciliation, including deficiencies, as-builts, warranties, O&M manuals, statutory documentation, holdbacks, and final approvals.
DESIGN, BRAND, OPERATIONAL & PROCUREMENT/VENDOR MANAGEMENT
Collaborate with Design, Real Estate, Franchising, Operations, Marketing, Procurement, Finance, and other departments to align construction execution with brand and operational requirements.
Review design packages for constructability, functionality, code compliance, and adherence to brand standards.
Coordinate procurement, fabrication, delivery, and installation of FF&E, kitchen equipment, millwork, finishes, signage, graphics, drive-thru components, menu boards, lighting, and specialty products.
Oversee vendor and supplier coordination, performance, quality, and accountability, identifying opportunities for improved efficiency and cost effectiveness.
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION
Serve as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication, coordination, accountability and timely project updates.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with franchisees, landlords, consultants, contractors, vendors, and cross functional teams.
Lead project meetings, manage competing priorities, address challenges, and resolve conflicts professionally, escalating significant issues, risks, and decisions to appropriate stakeholders or leadership in a timely manner.
HEALTH, SAFETY & COMPLIANCE
Ensure compliance with applicable occupational health and safety legislation, building codes, accessibility standards, municipal regulations, and construction site safety requirements.
Promote a safe working environment identify and communicate potential hazards and follow applicable supervisory responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Company safety Procedures.
Maintain accurate project documentation, permits, approvals, and compliance records, escalating significant safety or regulatory concerns as required.
Work across office, restaurant, and active construction - site environments, including site visits, required PPE, travel, and flexibility outside regular business hours as needed.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Project Leadership & Accountability: Strong organizational skills, independence, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.
Communication & Interpersonal Effectiveness: Exceptional communication, emotional intelligence, professionalism, relationship management, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Financial & Analytical Acumen: Strong budgeting, forecasting, contract management, cost-control, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
Adaptability & Sound Judgment: Proactive risk management, situational awareness, practical decision-making, adaptability, and commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
Policy and Professional Accountability: demonstrate professionalism integrity and accountability while adhering to company policies, procedures and design and construction standards.
REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
5 years of progressive project management experience in QSR, restaurant, retail, hospitality, or comparable commercial construction;
QSR/restaurant construction experience strongly preferred.
Proven ability to independently manage multiple concurrent construction projects, including ground-up, pad sites, freestanding, inline, conversions, drive-thru, non-traditional locations, renovations and facilities management.
Degree or diploma in Construction, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field;
PMP designation preferred.
Strong knowledge of commercial construction, CCDC contracts, tendering, contract administration, scheduling, budgeting, permitting, cost control, and project closeout.
Proficiency in reviewing and interpreting architectural, engineering, construction, permit, and shop drawings, with experience coordinating municipal approvals and inspections.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, Smartsheet, Adobe Acrobat Professional, and related PM tools.
Valid driver’s license and the ability to travel throughout Canada, including occasional overnight travel.
The duties of this position may change based on business needs. MBI Brands reserves the right to modify, add or remove responsibilities at its discretion. This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be all inclusive.
About Us
MBI Brands (the "Company") is one of Canada's largest privately held restaurant companies, franchising and operating two premium QSR brands—Mary Brown's Chicken and Fat Bastard Burrito. Both brands have established MBI Brands as a nationally recognized franchisor of choice. Renowned for its family-like culture, the Company fosters an environment where team members can grow, thrive, and make meaningful contributions. Driven by a dedicated team of Operators Who Care, MBI Brands is committed to excellence, best-in-class service, and serving guests, teams, and communities worldwide.
We are a team of Operators Who Care, strongly focused on excellence, best-in-class service, and caring for our guests, teams and communities across the globe. We celebrate our people—from new hires to our most tenured employees—creating a culture built on respect, inclusivity, collaboration and teamwork. With nearly 400 locations worldwide and plans to double our footprint in the next few years, we are embarking on exciting expansions into both new and existing markets, including the UK, Mexico, India, and Pakistan.
MBI Brands holds the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed (Platinum Member) designation and has also received numerous awards, including the Canadian Franchise Association’s Franchisee Satisfaction Award.
We are proud to offer a range of unique and attractive benefits:
Extended health benefits coverage including dental coverage, critical illness coverage, life insurance, and long-term disability
Eligibility to participate in our retirement savings plan with employer match
Minimum of three weeks paid vacation
On-site gym
Bonus eligibility: discretionary annual bonus.
Base salary for this position may vary based on relevant factors such as experience, education, location, and skills.
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
MBI Brands is committed to building a diverse workplace reflective of the communities we serve and to fostering an inclusive culture where employees feel valued, respected and inspired to thrive as their authentic selves. We value diversity of thought and the unique skills, perspectives and experience each individual brings to the Company. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and encourage applicants from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented, including but not limited to First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, people who identify as women and/or LGBTQ2S+.
We also strive to provide an accessible candidate experience. Please let us know if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process.
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