Director of Restaurant Operations at SSP Windsor Locks, CT

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Bonus eligibility

Job summary

SSP America is seeking a Director of Operations to lead a complex, multi-brand airport food & beverage portfolio at Bradley International Airport (BDL). The role demands strategic leadership, labor partnerships, and a track record of delivering strong financial and guest experience results.

You will oversee multiple General Managers across a $20M+ operation, drive transformation in a unionized environment, and partner with Brand partners and the Airport Authority to achieve operational

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of progressive operational leadership across multi-unit restaurant or food & beverage operations.
• Experience leading multiple restaurant locations with direct GM development.
• Full P&L accountability for a portfolio generating at least $20M in annual managed sales.
• Demonstrated success leading complex airport F&B operations or similarly regulated, high-volume environments.
• Proven experience leading unionized operations, including labor relations and contract compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to develop senior operational leaders through coaching and succession planning.
• Proven success improving operational performance through financial analysis, labor optimization, and inventory controls.
• Experience partnering with executive leadership and cross-functional business partners to drive results.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-brand airport food & beverage operation with $20M+ annual sales.
• Develop General Managers and restaurant leadership teams.
• Manage a unionized workforce and labor relations.
• Partner with Airport Authority, brand partners, and cross-functional teams.
• Drive improvements in financial performance, guest experience, and operations.

Skills

Executive leadership

Labor relations

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.

Lead a High-Impact Airport Food & Beverage Operation

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

• 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

• 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. If you've successfully led complex airport food & beverage operations and are ready to make a lasting impact, we'd like to meet you.

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.