Director, Operations

Cinelease; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Cinelease is seeking a Director of Operations to lead rental operations regionally, driving efficiency, financial results, and exceptional customer service. You will manage multiple branch locations, oversee fleet logistics, procurement, and policy implementation while partnering with Sales, Finance, and Executive Leadership to translate strategy into action.

You will build strong teams, champion safety, and ensure regulatory compliance, aiming for operational excellence and growth across the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field.
• 10+ years in rental, equipment, logistics, or service operations.
• 5+ years leading multiple locations or regional teams.
• Proven track record of meeting P&L, budget, and margin targets.
• Experience with equipment procurement, fleet logistics, and asset maintenance.
• Strong safety, OSHA knowledge, and regulatory compliance.
• Proficient with rental management/ERP and data-driven decision making.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional rental operations across multiple branch locations to optimize efficiency.
• Own regional revenue, margin, and cost targets and report metrics.
• Oversee fleet, equipment procurement, and inventory to meet demand.
• Partner with Sales, Finance, and Executive Leadership to align strategy.
• Build and coach leadership teams, drive safety culture and policy adoption.
• Implement processes to improve service levels and customer experience.
• Ensure compliance with safety programs and regulatory requirements.

Skills

People leadership

Strategic planning

Operations management

Budgeting

Customer service

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Operations Management

Tools

ERP systems

Rental management software

Inventory management software

Job description

The Director of Operations leads rental operations across multiple branch locations in the NewYork region, with full accountability for operational performance, financial results, and customerservice.This role oversees every facet of branch operations: rental order processing, equipmentprocurement, fleet logistics, new business support, and customer service. You will set andcommunicate regional goals and business plans, implement company policies and procedures,build strong teams, and champion a culture of safety. Working closely with Sales, Finance, andExecutive Leadership, you will turn operational excellence into growth and a best-in-classexperience for productions.Key ResponsibilitiesRegional Operations LeadershipManage, plan, and oversee rental operations across multiple branch locations in the regionfor optimum efficiency and service.Own achievement of operational goals and financial objectives for each branch, includingrevenue, margin, and cost targets.Evaluate business productivity and performance using clear metrics, and lead correctiveaction where results fall short.Communicate departmental goals and business plans to branch teams, and translatecompany strategy into regional action.Fleet, Equipment & LogisticsOversee procurement of new equipment and maintain inventory levels that meet customerdemand and revenue objectives.Manage regional fleet logistics, including transfers between branches, delivery and pickup,and utilization of rental assets.Ensure rental assets are maintained in excellent condition through effective maintenance,inspection, and repair programs.Partner with leadership on capital planning, fleet mix, and investment decisions for theregion.Customer Service & Business GrowthSupport sales objectives by helping build new customer relationships with studios,production companies, and production teams.Set service standards for rental order processing and customer support, and deliversolutions to customer needs.Serve as an escalation point for key accounts and complex productions in the region.People, Policy & SafetyHire, develop, and manage performance for all direct and indirect reports, includingterminations when needed.Build a strong leadership bench across branches through coaching, training, and clearaccountability.Implement corporate policies and procedures to drive operational efficiency and keep costsand margins on budget.Promote a culture of safety, including safety training, a safe work environment, regulatorycompliance, and proper PPE.RequiredBachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field, orequivalent professional experience.10+ years of experience in rental, equipment, logistics, or service operations, including 5+years managing multiple locations or a region.Proven record of meeting operational and financial targets, including P&L, budget, andmargin accountability.Experience with equipment procurement, inventory management, fleet utilization, andasset maintenance.Strong people leadership, including hiring, coaching, performance management, andbuilding management teams.Working knowledge of safety programs, OSHA requirements, and safe work practices.Proficiency with rental management, ERP, or inventory systems, and comfort using data torun the business.Excellent communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills.PreferredExperience in film and television production, lighting and grip, studio operations, orentertainment equipment rental.Familiarity with the New York production market and its studios, vendors, and crews.Experience with union labor environments and collective bargaining agreements.Experience opening, integrating, or turning around branch locations.