Operations Manager

The Lake; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Paid vacation

Job summary

The Lake in Chicago is set to open in Fall 2026 in River North, offering a luxury private club experience. The Operations Manager will oversee day-to-day guest experience operations, staffing, and financial performance, ensuring seamless service across outlets and departments.

The ideal candidate blends strong leadership with hospitality excellence, supports pre-opening readiness, and partners with the General Manager to deliver elevated experiences for members and guests.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive operations or management experience in high-volume hospitality or private club settings.
• Experience supporting a new venue opening strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of P&L management, labor cost control, and vendor management.
• Familiarity with health and safety code compliance.
• Excellent communication, organization, and multitasking skills.
• Previous private club experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations across guest experience areas, including housekeeping, valet, front desk, door service, and guest rooms.
• Partner with department leaders to maintain service standards and operational consistency.
• Address operational issues quickly and professionally in support of the member experience.
• Serve as the liaison between daily operations and the General Manager, providing updates and escalating priority issues.
• Manage scheduling, labor planning, and staffing coverage across the property.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, and training coordination alongside People & Culture.
• Mentor department leads and foster a positive, collaborative team culture.
• Monitor budgets, cost controls, and overall financial performance across departments.
• Manage vendor and supplier relationships, including ordering, receiving, and inventory oversight.
• Ensure health and safety compliance and sanitation standards across all outlets.
• Participate in daily leadership meetings and contribute to a unified culture.
• Support pre-opening logistics, staffing coordination, and readiness ahead of Fall 2026 opening.
• Contribute ideas to improve operational efficiency and guest experience.

Skills

Operational leadership

Hospitality management

Team leadership

Budgeting

Job description

The Lake is a new private social club opening in Fall 2026 in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Spanning 26,000 square feet, the clubhouse will feature a classic brick-and-limestone exterior paired with stylish contemporary interiors, creating an atmosphere that is both elegant and inviting. Designed to foster a vibrant, welcoming community, The Lake will center around an exceptional food and beverage program and bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a love of gathering with family and friends. The club will offer three distinct restaurants, including a French-inspired brasserie, a British American restaurant, a Italian trattoria. In addition, members will enjoy two cocktail bars, a members’ wine cellar, a roof terrace, and three guest rooms, all thoughtfully designed to create a dynamic and curated experience.

ABOUT TOPOGRAPHY:

Topography is a hospitality company founded by Liam Krehbiel in 2021 that develops and operates a collection of luxurious hotels and clubs, with a vision to build a world-class company known for excellence in guest experience, employee satisfaction, financial performance, and environmental stewardship. The Lake will be Topography’s first property to open, with additional projects in development across Wisconsin, New England, and North Carolina.

OPERATIONS PHILOSOPHY:

At The Lake, operations is what allows every department and guest touchpoint to deliver on our promise of elevated hospitality. The Operations Manager is expected to combine strong business acumen with genuine hospitality leadership, ensuring consistent execution and a seamless experience across every department.

Team members are expected to uphold standards of leadership that are:

Detail-oriented and results-driven

Professional, decisive, and collaborative

Structured yet adaptable

Consistent in execution while responsive to member and team needs

Every decision — from staffing a shift to resolving a service breakdown — should reflect a seamless and elevated hospitality experience.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations across The Lake’s guest experience areas, ensuring consistent execution of service, staffing, and financial standards. This role prepares and supports the property for a seamless member experience by partnering closely with service and administrative leadership, from pre-opening through ongoing operations, and serves as a key liaison to the General Manager on daily operational matters.

The ideal candidate is passionate about hospitality operations, possesses strong leadership and organizational skills, and thrives in a luxury, member-focused environment where operational precision is as important as guest experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational Leadership

Oversee daily operations across The Lake’s guest experience areas, including housekeeping, valet, front desk, door service, and guest rooms.

Partner with department leaders — including housekeeping, valet, front desk, and door team leads — to maintain service standards and operational consistency.

Address operational issues quickly and professionally in support of the member experience.

Serve as the primary liaison between daily operations and the General Manager, providing regular updates and escalating priority issues.

Staffing & Team Management

Manage scheduling, labor planning, and staffing coverage across the property.

Support recruiting, onboarding, and training coordination alongside People & Culture.

Mentor department leads and support a positive, collaborative team culture.

Monitor budgets, cost controls, and overall financial performance across departments.

Manage vendor and supplier relationships, including ordering, receiving, and inventory oversight.

Standards, Safety & Compliance

Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.

Uphold sanitation and workplace safety standards across all outlets.

Work collaboratively with service and administrative teams to deliver seamless member experiences.

Participate in daily leadership meetings, contributing to a positive, unified culture.

Support pre-opening logistics, staffing coordination, and departmental readiness ahead of the Fall 2026 opening.

Contribute ideas to improve operational efficiency, staffing models, and member experience.

Embrace ongoing education to continually develop operational and leadership skills.

REPORTS TO:

General Manager

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

The Lake is seeking candidates who combine strong operational leadership with a passion for hospitality and luxury service.

Professional Experience:

5+ years of progressive operations or management experience in high-volume hospitality or private club settings.

Experience supporting a new venue opening strongly preferred.

Working knowledge of P&L management, labor cost control, and vendor management.

Familiarity with health and safety code compliance.

Excellent communication, organization, and multitasking skills.

Previous private club experience is a plus.

Core Values Alignment:

Candidates should demonstrate alignment with Topography’s core values:

• Drive
• Empathy
• Integrity

COMPENSATION:

The Lake offers a competitive compensation package for this role, including an annual salary of $80,000–$90,000, bonus eligible, and a 401(k) plan.

• including medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees, and paid vacation.

Topography Hospitality is an equal opportunity employer.