Director of Operations

Leap Brands; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel reimbursement

Full benefits package

Performance based bonus

Job summary

Leap Brands is seeking a Senior Director of Operations to oversee 6–9 full-service locations and drive excellence across all units. The role emphasizes building high-performing restaurant teams, maintaining brand standards, and delivering strong financial results in a private-equity backed growth environment.

The candidate will coach General Managers, manage P&L, and collaborate with senior leaders on strategy and rollout of new initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multiple restaurants (5–10 locations) or similar scope.
• Strong understanding of P&L ownership, forecasting, labor planning and cost controls.
• Skilled at developing leaders, holding teams accountable and creating a performance culture.

Responsibilities

• Oversee 6 to 9 full-service locations to ensure operational excellence, quality and guest satisfaction across units.
• Lead, coach and develop General Managers with focus on training, accountability and long-term retention.
• Drive strong P&L management including labor, COGS, controllables and profitability targets.
• Partner with senior leadership on operational strategy, performance initiatives and growth plans.
• Ensure brand standards, food safety and service expectations are consistently met.
• Conduct regular restaurant visits to support teams, assess performance and execute action plans.
• Support new hire onboarding, succession planning and internal development pipelines.
• Lead operational rollouts, process improvements and systems adoption across markets.
• Maintain strong communication with cross-functional partners including finance, HR, training and marketing.

Skills

Multi-unit leadership

P&L ownership

Forecasting

Labor planning

Cost controls

Leadership development

Communication

Problem solving

Operational execution

Travel readiness

Job description

Location: Multi state
Seniority: Senior Manager
Industry: Full Service Restaurants
Function: Operations Leadership

Overview

A private equity backed, full service restaurant group is looking for a Director of Operations to oversee 6 to 9 locations. This leader will drive operational consistency, brand standards, people development, and financial performance across all assigned restaurants. The ideal candidate has strong multi unit experience, thrives in a hands on environment, and knows how to build high performing teams at scale.

Responsibilities

Provide direct oversight to 6 to 9 full service locations ensuring operational excellence, quality, and guest satisfaction across all units.

Lead, coach, and develop General Managers with a focus on training, accountability, and long term retention.

Drive strong P&L management including labor, COGS, controllables, and profitability targets.

Partner with senior leadership on operational strategy, performance initiatives, and growth plans.

Ensure brand standards, compliance, food safety, and service expectations are consistently met.

Conduct regular restaurant visits to support teams, assess performance, and execute action plans.

Support new hire onboarding, succession planning, and internal development pipelines.

Lead operational rollouts, process improvements, and systems adoption across assigned markets.

Maintain strong communication with cross functional partners including finance, HR, training, and marketing.

Requirements

Multi unit leadership experience in full service restaurants is required.

Proven track record managing 5 to 10 locations or similar scope.

Strong understanding of P&L ownership, forecasting, labor planning, and cost controls.

Skilled in developing leaders, holding teams accountable, and creating a performance culture.

Ability to travel frequently across assigned territory.

Strong communication, problem solving, and operational execution skills.

Must be comfortable in a hands on, high growth, private equity backed environment.

Compensation

• Competitive salary up to 130,000
• Performance based bonus
• Travel reimbursement and full benefits package

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