Director of Restaurant Operations

SSP Group plc; Windsor Locks (CT); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision

Life Insurance

EAP

Voluntary Benefits

401(k) with employer match

PTO

Paid Holidays

Paid Sick Leave

Bonus Eligibility

Job summary

SSP America, a division of SSP Group plc, is seeking a Director of Operations at Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, CT. The role oversees a multi-brand, high-volume airport F&B operation, requiring strong leadership, labor relations expertise, and a track record of delivering financial results.

The candidate will manage a unionized workforce, build high-performing General Managers, and partner with airport authorities, brand partners, and cross-functional teams to ensure

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive operational leadership across multi-unit restaurant or F&B operations.
• Experience leading multiple GM-level leaders across independent business units.
• Full P&L accountability for a portfolio generating ≥$20M in annual sales.
• Proven success in airport F&B or high-volume, multi-unit environments.
• Experience leading unionized operations, labor relations, and contract compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-unit airport restaurant portfolio with $20M+ annual managed sales.
• Direct leadership of multiple General Managers and restaurant leadership teams.
• Develop senior operational leaders through coaching and succession planning.
• Drive financial performance, labor optimization, inventory controls, and operational discipline.

Skills

Multi-unit leadership

P&L accountability

Labor relations

Coaching

Succession planning

Financial analysis

Operational excellence

Cross-functional partnership

Strategic planning

Job description

Bradley International Airport (BDL) – Windsor Locks, CT

$100,000 – $120,000 Base Salary + Performance Bonus + Comprehensive Benefits Compensation is based on experience and qualifications; exceptional candidates with directly relevant experience may be considered beyond the posted range.

LeadaHigh-ImpactAirportFood&BeverageOperation

SSP America is seeking an accomplished Director of Operations to lead a complex, multi-brand food and beverage operation at Bradley International Airport (BDL).

This opportunity is designed for an experienced airport food & beverage operator who has successfully led large-scale, unionized, multi-unit operations and has a proven ability to build high-performing leadership teams, improve operational performance, and deliver sustainable financial results.

This is not a maintenance role.

We are seeking a transformational leader who thrives in complex operating environments and creates a culture of accountability through disciplined execution, exceptional people leadership, and strong labor partnerships.

What You'll Lead

• Multi-unit airport restaurant portfolio
• $20M+ annual managed sales
• Multiple General Managers and restaurant leadership teams
• Unionized workforce
• Partnership with Airport Authority, brand partners, labor representatives and cross-functional Support Center teams

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate has demonstrated success:

• Leading complex airport food & beverage operations through periods of change and growth.
• Building high-performing General Managers through coaching, accountability, and succession planning.
• Developing productive labor-management relationships while effectively leading within a collective bargaining environment.
• Driving measurable improvements in financial performance, guest experience, and operational execution.
• Creating a culture of accountability, professionalism, and operational excellence.
• Leading multiple concepts simultaneously while balancing brand standards, labor, food safety, inventory controls, and financial performance.

Required Qualifications

To be successful in this role, candidates must demonstrate experience in the following areas:

• Minimum 10 years of progressive operational leadership with increasing responsibility across multi-unit restaurant or food & beverage operations.
• Current or recent leadership of multiple restaurant locations, including direct leadership and development of multiple General Managers responsible for independent business units.
• Full P&L accountability for a multi-unit portfolio generating at least $20 million in annual managed sales.
• Demonstrated success leading complex airport food & beverage operations or similarly regulated, high-volume, multi-unit environments.
• Proven experience leading unionized operations, including labor relations, contract compliance, issue resolution, and productive partnership with union representatives.
• Demonstrated ability to develop senior operational leaders through coaching, succession planning, performance management, and accountability.
• Proven success improving operational performance through financial analysis, labor optimization, inventory controls, operational discipline, and strategic business planning.
• Experience partnering with executive leadership and cross-functional business partners to drive operational and financial results.

Preferred Qualifications

• Director of Operations or Regional Operations leadership experience within airport food & beverage operations.
• Experience leading large, geographically dispersed, multi-brand restaurant portfolios.
• Demonstrated success leading operational turnarounds or improving underperforming multi-unit businesses.

Why SSP America?

At SSP America, we don't simply operate restaurants - we create exceptional dining experiences for travelers across North America.

We're looking for leaders who embrace challenge, inspire high-performing teams, and know how to build strong operational cultures while delivering exceptional business results.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• EAP
• Voluntary Benefits: Life AD&D, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance
• SSP 401(k) Plan with Employer Matching
• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave
• Bonus Eligibility

Additional Statements

SSP America is an equal opportunity employer. All decisions concerning the employment relationship will be made without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, age, disability, genetic information, or and other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. SSP America will provide reasonable accommodations during the application and interview process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.