Project Development Director Jobs in Belleville, NJ

Convene Hospitality Group (CHG) operates a global portfolio of lifestyle brands focused on creating places and experiences that bring people together. The company designs, develops, and operates hospitality‑driven destinations to host gatherings of all kinds, ranging from small corporate meetings to immersive brand activations and beyond. We love bringing people together in person, and that passion for great experiences extends to our employees as well. If you're interested in creating inspiring moments of connection, consider joining our team.

Convene Hospitality Group is entering a new phase of global growth following a $230 million financing round and the appointment of Fortune 500 leadership to our executive team. As we scale our multi‑brand event and hospitality platform, we are looking for a senior leader to oversee the physical realization of our portfolio. This role is focused on the development side of the house; transforming site identification into high‑ROI assets through brand‑led design, engineering discipline, process rigor, and fiscal control. Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer, you will manage a high‑performing team and work across the organization to ensure our expansion is both scalable and financially sound.

Define and lead a development lifecycle that delivers consistent results — on time and on budget — through technical excellence and rigorous project management.

Partner with Real Estate to conduct deep technical and cost feasibility for potential sites, ensuring infrastructure and local conditions support our design standards and brand requirements.

Build and execute the systems and processes required to develop new locations and enter new markets with consistency and brand clarity.

Own the global development budget and implement estimating, cost management and value engineering practices to meet and/or exceed build cost and return thresholds.

Own and manage the critical path of our complex multi‑site project pipeline, working with the team and third parties to ensure delivery timelines are met.

Direct a global network of designers, architects, engineers, and contractors, holding partners accountable to brand standards, design typology and budget requirements.

Work cross‑functionally and communicate clearly with Real Estate, Finance, Operations, and Legal to gather inputs and facilitate alignment.

Provide consistent, succinct, data‑driven updates to the CGO, leadership team and board regarding project health, capital spend, timelines and risks.

Lead and mentor a distributed team of professionals, fostering a culture of curiosity, excellence and continuous learning.

• 15+ years of progressive leadership in real estate development and construction, with a track record of scaling multi‑unit hospitality or premium retail brands across diverse markets.
• A strong foundation in engineering and/or architecture with a deep understanding of structural, MEP, and site infrastructure systems.
• Practical experience implementing Agile or Scrum project management frameworks within physical construction and development.
• Expert level budget management with the ability to treat capital expenditure with the same rigor as an operator treats a P&L.
• The ability to communicate complex technical or financial issues clearly and succinctly to non‑technical stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Proven ability to drive results within a matrixed corporate structure, using influence and expertise to move projects forward.
• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management is preferred.

While this role offers flexibility, candidates must reside within commuting distance of New York City for regular collaboration, with travel required as needed to oversee site transformations and regional project milestones.

The above job definition information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on changing business needs and conditions.

• Base Salary Range: $250,000 – $285,000 per year (Final base salary within this range will be determined based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and qualifications).
• Bonus Eligibility: Eligible for our annual performance‑based bonus program, with a target potential of 50% of base salary.
• Equity: This role includes an executive‑level (SVP) equity package, with details provided during the interview process.

The above compensation information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Salary may vary based on location and other factors.