Director Store Development & Build

Director, Store Development & Build

KREWE is an independent, high-fashion eyewear brand rooted in the vibrant culture and boundless creativity of our hometown, New Orleans - and now proudly headquartered in both New Orleans and New York City. Since our launch in 2013, KREWE has grown into a dynamic brand celebrated for its distinctive, handcrafted sun and optical frames that reflect a deep commitment to quality, individuality, and design.

In 2022, we opened the doors to our NYC headquarters in the heart of the Meatpacking District, building a second home for the brand that brings New Orleans' culture, creativity, and energy to one of the world's most iconic design capitals. Our presence now spans brick-and-mortar boutiques, mobile retail concepts, and a thriving e-commerce platform - alongside distribution through premier independents and top national retailers. Celebrated for our unique approach to design, KREWE has cultivated a loyal following among style-conscious consumers and influential tastemakers.

As we continue to expand, we're looking for passionate, driven, and innovative individuals to join our talented team. At KREWE our work is fast-paced, collaborative, and deeply mission-driven. Our people are high-performing and ambitious - not just about hitting goals, but about building something that's original, culturally rooted and globally resonant. Every team member at KREWE has the opportunity to own their role and make a lasting impact. If this sounds like the right environment for you we invite you to apply below.

We are currently searching for a Director, Store Development & Build responsible for delivering new KREWE retail stores from lease handoff through opening. This role owns the full execution of store builds, including project management, vendor coordination, timelines, and budgets. The goal is simple: open stores on time, on budget, and built to approved design standards without rework. This role does not own design or real estate. It owns execution. This is a hands-on role. You will be directly responsible for managing multiple projects simultaneously, working closely with contractors, vendors, and internal teams to ensure every store is delivered at a high level.

This role is based out of our New Orleans or New York Headquarters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive project timelines, sequencing, and execution from lease handoff through certificate of occupancy and store opening
• Manage multiple concurrent store builds end-to-end
• Identify risks early and resolve issues before they impact schedule
• Own project budgets from planning through completion
• Track spend, manage invoices, and report cost variances
• Execute value engineering where needed without compromising approved design
• Source, onboard, and manage general contractors, vendors, and trade partners
• Negotiate scopes of work and hold vendors accountable to timelines and quality
• Build and maintain a strong, reliable vendor network
• Conduct regular site visits and actively manage build progress
• Ensure all work is executed in alignment with approved design packages
• Flag and escalate any deviations from design standards
• Manage permit applications, approvals, and inspections
• Ensure all projects meet local building codes and regulatory requirements
• Resolve compliance issues that could delay project timelines
• Maintain clear and accurate project trackers, schedules, and documentation
• Serve as the primary point of contact for contractors, vendors, and external stakeholders
• Coordinate closely with Creative, Finance, Real Estate, and Operations teams throughout each project

Requirements:

• 7+ years of experience in construction management, project management, or store development
• Experience managing full lifecycle retail or hospitality build-outs
• Strong understanding of construction drawings, specifications, and build processes
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
• Willingness to travel frequently to project sites
• Proven experience managing multiple retail or hospitality build-outs from lease handoff to opening
• Strong project management skills with the ability to drive timelines and resolve issues in real time
• Deep understanding of construction processes, permitting, and municipal requirements
• Strong budget management experience including capex tracking, invoice management, and cost control
• Experience sourcing, negotiating, and managing vendors and contractors
• Ability to execute against a high design standard and recognize when execution deviates from approved plans
• Clear communication skills and ability to coordinate across internal teams and external partners

Benefits and Perks:

• Competitive wage
• Group health plans: health, vision and dental insurance
• Welfare benefits: life, ad&d, supplemental voluntary coverage
• FSA Plan & HSA Program
• 401(K) Investment Options
• Adoption Assistance, EAP, Commuter Benefits
• Paid Parental Leave
• Quarterly Cultural Spend
• Ongoing Training and Development, an Educational Allowance
• 10 paid holidays and Paid Time Off accrual
• KREWE employee quarterly frame allowance (of course!)

Salary (for New York only): Salary range: $90,000-$140,000 annually based on experience and qualifications.

This reflects the base salary for this position. Compensation may vary based on factors such as skills, experience, certifications, and business needs. In addition to base pay, KREWE offers annual bonuses, a comprehensive benefits package, paid time off, and employee discounts.

Diversity and Inclusion:

KREWE believes in providing an inclusive workplace where all individuals have the opportunity to succeed. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without discrimination or retaliation because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, pregnancy or any other protected characteristic as established by applicable local, state, or federal law.