Development Program Manager

Join us and be part of a culture where your smile truly matters.

At Ideal Dental, we’re on a mission to revolutionize dental care—and we want you to be part of the journey! As one of North America's fastest-growing dental groups, we're driven by our vision to provide exceptional, comprehensive dental services all under one roof. Established in 2008, we’re proud to be clinician-founded and clinician-led, with a focus on patient-centered care and an unwavering commitment to innovation and growth.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a highly organized, proactive, and execution-focused DeNovo Program Manager to lead the development of new dental office locations from concept to launch. This individual will serve as the operational backbone of our growth strategy—coordinating cross-functional teams, optimizing processes, and ensuring every DeNovo office opens on time, on budget, and in alignment with Company standards.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates exceptional project management discipline, and has strong analytical capabilities to guide strategic decision-making. This role requires expert communication, attention to detail, and a passion for operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Ensure the highest quality execution of the Company’s DeNovo development and operational growth initiatives.

• Drive the successful launch, growth, and long-term performance of new dental office locations in alignment with Company goals.

• Envision, develop, and implement scalable strategies to support organizational expansion and a robust DeNovo pipeline.

• Participate in the assessment and diligence of new market opportunities, real estate considerations, and competitive landscape insights.

Project Leadership & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Lead all phases of DeNovo development, including site evaluation, project planning, design coordination, construction oversight, FF&E setup, and operational readiness.

• Serve as the central point of contact between construction, operations, marketing, finance, legal, recruiting, IT, specialty services, and vendor partners to ensure seamless project execution.

• Establish and maintain standardized processes, workflows, and operating procedures across all development initiatives to drive consistency and efficiency.

• Oversee multiple departments and functions across numerous office locations, ensuring timely and accurate communication between all stakeholders.

Operational Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze business operations, site performance data, demographic insights, and market trends to identify opportunities for improvement and guide long-term strategy.

• Gather and evaluate data about contractors, markets, competition, and industry benchmarks to inform project decisions and optimize planning accuracy.

• Develop and refine performance metrics, reporting dashboards, and forecasting tools to support data-driven decision making.

• Identify inefficiencies or barriers and proactively implement solutions to optimize project timelines, workflows, and resource utilization.

Budgeting, Vendor Management & Compliance

• Ensure all development activities—including construction, equipment procurement, and setup—stay within approved budgets, timelines, and quality standards.

• Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and evaluate contractor performance to ensure adherence to Company expectations.

• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, legal, and operational requirements throughout the project lifecycle.

Team Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build, align, and hold operational and project teams accountable to support Company development goals.

• Foster a high-performance culture rooted in ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and support to internal teams and field leaders to ensure alignment and successful execution.

• Support the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and executive team with updates, risk assessments, strategic recommendations, and operational insights.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Provide accurate, consistent, and timely updates on project status, risks, milestones, and variances to the executive team and all relevant departments.

• Coordinate cross-departmental efforts to maintain alignment between operations, development, HR, finance, and marketing teams.

• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, timelines, action plans, and reporting tools to ensure transparency and organizational clarity.

Problem Solving & Risk Management

• Anticipate and proactively resolve issues related to construction delays, vendor performance, operational readiness, or budget variances.

• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation plans to protect timelines, cost targets, and overall project outcomes.

• Ensure rapid escalation and solution development for any obstacles that may impact project success.

Desired Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 4 years+ experience in multi-site development. Healthcare, dental, medical, or retail preferred.

• Strong project management capabilities (PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or equivalent preferred).

• Ability to interpret financial data, construction schedules, and market analyses.

• Exceptional communication, cross-functional coordination, and leadership skills.

• Proficiency in project management software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Why You’ll Love It Here:

At Ideal Dental, we’re committed to helping you grow professionally, providing you with opportunities to expand your skills, work with cutting-edge technology, and make a lasting impact on your patients. If you’re passionate about dental care, thrive in a dynamic, supportive environment, and want to be part of a team that values both excellence and compassion, this is the place for you.

At Ideal Dental, we’re dedicated to putting smiles on the faces of our guests and our team. We foster a supportive, positive environment where every team member can thrive, grow, and enjoy their work. Join us and be part of a culture where your smile truly matters