SR. DIRECTOR, CONSTRUCTION & FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

Our restaurants are only the tip of the flame! If you’re looking for a fast-paced, innovative and welcoming workplace then a career with us is right for you.What’s in it for you! Hybrid work schedule Competitive pay and bonus Restricted Service Awards (RSAs) Medical + Dental + Vision Insurance + HSA Savings Account 401(K) Plan with match and immediate vesting Vacation + Sick Pay + 12 Paid Holidays Amazing office culture Free El Pollo Loco food (Dine Out Card) + Restaurant Discount Discounts on theme parks, movie tickets, sports events, hotels and more...POSITION PURPOSE:The Senior Director of Construction & Facilities is the enterprise leader responsible for the strategic direction, operational performance, and financial stewardship of Construction Delivery and Facilities Asset Management for approximately 175 company-operated restaurants, with scale readiness beyond 200 units.This role owns end-to-end execution of new restaurant openings, remodels, capital reinvestment initiatives, and ongoing asset performance across the portfolio. The Senior Director ensures predictable schedule adherence, disciplined cost management, vendor accountability, and best-in-industry service standards in safety, quality, responsiveness, and cleanliness.The position is accountable for rethinking and modernizing both Construction and Facilities operating models—driving value engineering, lifecycle cost optimization, preventative maintenance rigor, and capital allocation discipline to improve restaurant-level productivity, EBITDA performance, and return on invested capital. This leader partners cross-functionally to build a scalable platform that supports accelerated unit growth without disproportionate G&A expansion.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Construction DeliveryLead, manage, and establish the strategic direction for Construction Delivery, including new restaurant openings (NROs), remodels, relocations, and capital reinvestment projects.Own schedule adherence, budget performance, and quality outcomes for all company construction projects.Partner with Architecture & Design, Real Estate, Development Operations, and Operations to ensure constructability, cost discipline, and seamless turnover to the field.Drive design-to-cost initiatives and value engineering efforts to reduce build costs while maintaining brand integrity and operational functionality.Lead general contractor strategy, preferred vendor programs, and performance scorecards to ensure consistent execution standards.Implement governance, reporting cadence, and stage-gate controls to reduce variance to pro forma development models.Support franchise partners with construction standards, toolkits, and advisory guidance to ensure brand-compliant execution.Facilities & Asset ManagementProvide executive leadership for the Facilities Department, defining annual goals, KPIs, and service standards aligned with operational excellence.Oversee preventative maintenance strategy, repair & maintenance (R&M) spend, and capital reinvestment prioritization across the portfolio.Lead vendor strategy, contract negotiation, and service level agreements to drive continuous improvement in cost, responsiveness, and asset uptime.Establish structured asset lifecycle management processes, including equipment replacement forecasting and capital planning.Partner closely with Operations leadership to ensure facilities performance supports restaurant cleanliness, food safety, and guest experience standards.Monitor and evaluate restaurant utility usage, billing accuracy, and alternative sourcing strategies to reduce operating costs.Financial Stewardship & Capital Governance Own preparation and management of the Construction and Facilities budgets, including:New Restaurant Capital BudgetRemodel and Reinvestment Capital BudgetRepair & Maintenance Expense BudgetSpecial Projects and Asset Optimization BudgetContinuously evaluate in-house versus outsourced delivery models for both construction management and facilities execution to optimize cost and performance.Leadership & Team DevelopmentRecruit, develop, and lead high-performing Construction and Facilities teams, fostering accountability, technical excellence, and leadership growth.Establish clear communication cadence, reporting standards, and performance expectations across internal teams and external partners.Build scalable organizational capability to support multi-market growth across three time zones.Promote a culture of safety, ownership, transparency, and continuous improvement.Safety, Compliance & Risk ManagementEnsure compliance with all Health Department, OSHA, Building & Safety, Fire, Environmental, and Waste Management regulations.Review and strengthen emergency preparedness protocols and disaster response procedures.Mitigate operational risk through disciplined vendor oversight, contract controls, and preventative maintenance rigor.Corporate & Asset OversightOversee Facilities Management for Corporate and Support Center locations, including equipment, infrastructure, and office relocation coordination.Manage company-owned properties and closed or non-operating restaurants, ensuring compliance with community, landlord, and brand standards.Provide strategic oversight of asset preservation and disposition readiness.QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The requirements listed below are representative of the education and/or experience requiredEducation/Work Experience:Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Business, or related field preferred.Minimum 12–15 years of progressive multi-unit construction and facilities leadership experience within restaurant, retail, or hospitality environments.Demonstrated experience leading new unit development programs and facilities operations across geographically dispersed portfolios.Strong financial acumen including capital budgeting, cost accounting, ROI modeling, vendor negotiations, and lifecycle asset planning.Experience building scalable systems, dashboards, and governance processes that improve predictability and speed to market.Proven leadership capability in managing both internal teams and external vendor networks.License/Certifications:Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.Professional certifications (e.g., PMP, CCM, PE) are a plus.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Executive-level communication skills with the ability to present capital plans and performance results to senior leadership and the Board.Strong analytical capability with disciplined decision-making rooted in data and financial impact.Ability to lead cross-functional teams without creating bottlenecks or unnecessary escalation.Exceptional organizational and prioritization skills in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.Demonstrated ability to drive change, implement systems, and elevate performance standards.High degree of accountability, ownership mindset, and operational rigor.Ability to travel domestically as required to support restaurant openings, remodels, and portfolio oversight.Our CompanyIn 1980 the first American El Pollo Loco opened on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles, quickly becoming a destination for the best citrus-marinated, fire-grilled pollo in town. Over the past four decades, El Pollo Loco has grown into more than 490 restaurants across 7 states, becoming an L.A. mainstay and cultural benchmark along the way. And today, we continue to work just as hard to always provide customers with fresh and innovative L.A. Mex from our famous family dinners to Mexican entrees.The pay range identified is the hourly or salary rate El Pollo Loco expects to pay for the posted position. This range does not include any benefits or bonus opportunities that might be available for the position based on position and eligibility criteria. Individual pay will vary based on a variety of factors including years of experience, industry experience, education, geography, etc.