Director of Development Operations

Director of Development Operations

Hospitality Starts Here:

Welcome to The Indigo Road Hospitality Group (IRHG), where hospitality is more than a job; it's a family, a lifestyle, and an exciting journey. We believe that by taking care of you, you'll best take care of our guests. It's working. In addition to generous benefits and job openings across 30+ locations, we have internal growth opportunities for everyone who wants it. But most of all, we have heart!

Why Us:

Founded in 2009 by Steve Palmer, IRHG sets itself apart in the industry by fostering an environment where our people come first. We want to meet you. Come join us in our mission to change the hospitality industry, forever.

THE ROLE

The Director of Development Operations will be a key member of the leadership team, responsible for driving the growth of IRHG through new restaurant and hotel development, renovations, and capital projects.

The Director of Development Operations requires a detail-oriented, strategic leader who thrives at balancing creative vision with practical execution. You’ll work cross-functionally with operations, design, finance, and ownership partners to ensure new projects open on time, on budget, and aligned with Indigo Road’s standards of hospitality and design.

What we will ask of you:

• Lead all phases of new development projects including site selection support, design, permitting, construction, and turnover to operations.
• Manage relationships with architects, designers, contractors, consultants, and vendors to ensure project goals are met.
• Develop and oversee project budgets, timelines, and schedules; ensure adherence to financial and operational objectives.
• Partner with operations leadership to ensure design and functional requirements align with brand standards and guest experience expectations.
• Provide strategic insight into market opportunities and feasibility for new concepts, expansions, or property acquisitions.
• Oversee renovations and capital improvement projects for existing properties, balancing brand vision with cost management.
• Establish and maintain systems for project reporting, tracking, and communication across stakeholders and ownership.
• Support the Executive Team in long-term growth planning, contributing to concept development and portfolio expansion strategies.
• Demonstrate a high level of integrity, ownership, collaboration, and professionalism, fostering strong partnerships with both internal teams and external partners.

Requirements for Success:

• Ability to work an average of 55 hours per week and travel regularly to active and prospective project sites.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in hospitality development, construction project management, or real estate development.
• Experience in restaurant and/or hotel development strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage complex budgets, schedules, and multi-stakeholder relationships.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical design and construction information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Highly organized, proactive problem solver with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Self-motivated with a demonstrated ability to balance big-picture vision with day-to-day execution.
• Ability to travel frequently by air and ground transportation.
• Must be able to communicate clearly in person, by phone, and through written correspondence.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay: Competitive base pay, health benefits, and PTO benefits after 90 days [for full-time employee's].
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, vision, and more.
• Financial Planning: Access to a 401K plan with a 50% match on your first 6% investment, along with Roth options.
• Home Loan Program: We offer a zero-interest housing loan program to help you achieve your dream of home ownership.
• Employee Discounts: Enjoy discounts at our 15 restaurant concepts and growing boutique hotels division.
• Family Time: Benefit from 4 weeks of PTO for maternity/paternity leave.

The above job description is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities of the position, nor should it be construed as a contract.

The Indigo Road Hospitality Group is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, promotion, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.