Head of Construction

Position Summary

The Head of Construction is the driving force behind every ASPIRE Salon Studios build-out, responsible for delivering new locations on time, on budget, and to the premium quality standards that define the ASPIRE brand. This role takes full ownership of the construction process from permit application through punch list completion — managing contractors, navigating regulatory requirements, and coordinating closely with the Suite Architect, Creative Director, and Leasing Director to ensure every studio is built to perform from day one.

As ASPIRE executes an aggressive multi-site expansion across Southern California, the Head of Construction serves as the operational engine of the development team. This is a hands-on leadership role that requires equal parts technical expertise, project management discipline, and collaborative communication — someone who can hold a general contractor accountable in the morning and sit in a design review with the Creative Director in the afternoon.

Reporting Structure

• Reports To: President
• Direct Reports: Suite Architect
• Key Collaborators: Creative Director, Leasing Director, Head of Facilities & Maintenance

Core Responsibilities

Project Management & Delivery

• Own the full construction lifecycle for all new ASPIRE locations, from pre-construction planning through final inspection, certificate of occupancy, and handoff to the Facilities team.
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules for all active build-outs, tracking milestones, identifying risks, and ensuring timelines are met without compromise to quality.
• Manage all general contractors, subcontractors, and specialty vendors — holding each party accountable to scope, schedule, and workmanship standards.
• Conduct regular on-site inspections throughout the construction process, proactively identifying and resolving issues before they impact schedule or budget.
• Deliver concise, accurate project status reports to the President, escalating critical risks or decisions that require executive input.

Budget Management

• Develop detailed construction budgets for each new site, working in collaboration with the President and Controller to ensure financial projections are accurate and defensible.
• Track all project costs in real time, managing change orders, contingency draws, and vendor invoices with rigorous financial discipline.
• Identify value engineering opportunities that preserve the ASPIRE aesthetic and quality experience while managing costs within approved budgets.
• Conduct post-project cost analyses to capture lessons learned and continuously improve budget accuracy for future build-outs.

Permitting & Regulatory Compliance

• Manage all permitting activities across jurisdictions, including building permits, fire and life safety approvals, ADA compliance, and certificate of occupancy processes.
• Maintain a deep working knowledge of California building codes, local municipal requirements, and Title 24 energy compliance standards as they apply to commercial tenant improvement projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with local building departments, inspectors, and plan check officials to facilitate efficient permit processing.
• Ensure all construction activities adhere to OSHA safety standards and that job sites maintain a safe working environment at all times.
• Oversee the preparation and submittal of all required construction documentation, including permit applications, inspection requests, and closeout packages.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Collaborate closely with the Suite Architect to ensure construction documents are permit-ready, code-compliant, and reflective of the approved design intent.
• Partner with the Creative Director throughout the build process to ensure material selections, finishes, lighting, signage, and common area elements are installed as specified.
• Coordinate with the Leasing Director to align construction completion timelines with tenant move-in schedules, minimizing vacancy between delivery and occupancy.
• Work with the Head of Facilities & Maintenance to establish a formal handoff protocol for each completed location, ensuring all systems, warranties, and maintenance documentation are transferred properly.

Contractor & Vendor Relations

• Develop and maintain a qualified contractor and vendor network across Southern California capable of supporting ASPIRE's rapid expansion.
• Conduct competitive bid processes for major scopes of work, evaluating contractors on price, quality, timeline reliability, and safety record.
• Negotiate contracts and master service agreements with key construction partners that protect ASPIRE's interests and align vendor incentives with project success.
• Manage contractor performance proactively, addressing quality or schedule issues decisively and maintaining strong working relationships for ongoing project pipeline.

Core Competencies

• Execution Under Pressure — The ability to drive complex projects to completion on tight timelines without sacrificing quality or safety.
• Technical Expertise — Deep construction knowledge that commands the respect of contractors and supports smart, confident decision-making on-site.
• Financial Discipline — A rigorous approach to budget management that protects ASPIRE's investment in every new location.
• Regulatory Navigation — Confidence and competence managing the permitting and compliance landscape across multiple California jurisdictions.
• Collaborative Communication — The ability to work effectively with architects, designers, leasing, and executive leadership to keep all stakeholders aligned.
• Ownership Mentality — A genuine sense of pride and accountability for the quality of every ASPIRE location delivered.

Work Environment

The Head of Construction is a field-forward role requiring frequent presence at active construction sites throughout Southern California. Significant travel between job sites, municipal offices, and vendor facilities is expected. This role operates in a fast-moving environment where decisions must often be made quickly and decisively on-site. As ASPIRE's pipeline of new locations grows, the Head of Construction will be expected to scale their management bandwidth and systems to support multiple simultaneous projects across an expanding geographic footprint.

About ASPIRE Salon Studios

ASPIRE Salon Studios is a premier salon suite operator based in Southern California, currently operating across 9 locations with significant expansion underway. At ASPIRE, we understand that studios are salons first. With over 40 years of experience in the beauty industry — much of it running hair salons — we know what it takes to create the right environment for independent beauty professionals to succeed. We're not real estate people; we're salon people, and you'll feel that every time you walk through our doors.