Director Of Operations

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 team's 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 group's 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 You'll Do

Lead Every Location

• Lead from the floor, not the office. Spend real time across the group's 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 We're 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 group's 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 company's 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: $125,000 to $150,000 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.

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.