Director Of Operations
Job Location:
Chicago, IL - USA
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
About Our Client
Our client is a Chicago based restaurant group. The group operates multiple acclaimed restaurants that have earned national recognition. Their concepts are built on honest cooking genuine hospitality and a commitment to doing things the right way. They believe great experiences start with great people and invest in the teams growth development and well-being.
The Opportunity
Our client is looking for an experienced and energetic Director of Operations to join their leadership team. This is a high-impact role at the center of the groups day-to-day performance: teaching and coaching General Managers protecting the guest experience and giving ownership the confidence that every restaurant is running the right way. If you lead by example teach by doing and love the hospitality industry they want to meet you.
What Youll Do
Lead Every Location
Lead from the floor not the office. Spend real time across the groups restaurant locations working alongside teams to elevate service food quality and the guest experience.
Be present and visible during peak service supporting management teams in real time.
Ensure brand standards remain consistent across every concept and location.
Resolve escalated guest and operational issues with sound judgment and a steady hand.
Teach and Develop the Team
Teach on the floor. Model service standards work alongside teams during service and show managers what great looks like rather than inspecting for it.
Lead coach and mentor General Managers and location leadership teams across the portfolio.
Build a talent pipeline by identifying developing and promoting high-performing managers from within.
Assist with hiring onboarding and training of incoming management at each location.
Conduct regular performance reviews for General Managers providing feedback that helps them grow.
Run Operations
Implement and refine systems and processes that improve efficiency without compromising the guest experience.
Oversee the accurate and timely completion of front and back of house inventories at each location.
Conduct facility walk-throughs and escalate maintenance needs before they become guest-facing problems.
Ensure every location adheres to HR policy safe food and alcohol service and City of Chicago and Illinois regulatory requirements.
Manage Financial Goals
Monitor P&L performance labor food and beverage cost and profitability across all locations.
Partner with the Accounting team to ensure inter-location transfers and month-end reporting are properly documented.
Manage budgets and beverage purchasing in partnership with culinary and beverage leadership.
Hold General Managers accountable to sales cost and profitability targets.
What Were Looking For
Minimum 5 years of supervisory or management experience required preferably in multi-unit restaurant operations.
Proven track record of developing General Managers and building high-performing teams.
A natural teacher who enjoys developing people on the floor not just in meetings.
Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
Regular travel between the groups Chicago locations with a schedule that flexes to the needs of the business including evenings weekends and holidays.
Ability to work in a standing position for a minimum of 8 hours per day.
Ability to reach bend and frequently lift up to 50 lbs. Confirm these physical requirements reflect essential functions of this role not a GM template.
Ability to communicate and understand the predominant language(s) of the companys operating area.
Nice to Have
Experience in multi-concept or growing hospitality groups.
Experience spanning fine dining and high-volume neighborhood concepts.
Background in staff development and training program implementation.
Comfort with reservation management platforms (OpenTable SevenRooms).
Technology & Systems
Experience with the Toast POS system.
Restaurant 365
Compensation & Benefits
In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act (amended effective January 1 2025) our client provides the following compensation and benefits information for this position.
Salary Range: $125000 to $150000 per year
Health Insurance: Medical Dental and Vision details
Paid Time Off
401(k)
In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act (amended effective January 1 2025) the client provides the compensation and benefits information above for this position.
Equal Opportunity
Our client is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race color religion sex national origin age disability or any other protected status.
