Regional Director of Operations

Restaurant Associates; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Job summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking a Regional Director of Operations to lead a portfolio of high-volume, upscale dining venues. You will support General Managers, elevate service standards, and drive profitability across locations.

The role requires hands-on leadership in a hospitality environment, including evenings and weekends, with a focus on client relationships and sustainable growth for the region.

Qualifications

• Progressive multi-unit restaurant operations leadership experience.
• Fine dining or luxury hospitality background required.
• Proven ability to develop General Managers and leadership teams.
• Strong financial management including P&L, budgeting, forecasting.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support General Managers across multiple locations.
• Visit restaurants regularly to observe service and drive improvements.
• Drive culture of hospitality, accountability, and service excellence.
• Improve guest satisfaction, team engagement, and operational performance.
• Oversee client relationships and act as primary escalation point.
• Manage regional P&L, forecasting, budgeting, and cost controls.
• Analyze metrics and develop plans to grow revenue and profitability.
• Collaborate on strategic plans to support growth objectives.
• Support new business development and client retention efforts.
• Ensure compliance with company standards and food safety.

Skills

Multi-unit leadership

Financial acumen

Client relationship management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Hands-on leadership

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Operational reporting systems

Job description

Restaurant Associates

Position Title: Regional Director of Operations

Salary: $150,000 - $160,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Bonus Plan

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry’s leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation’s most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards - Best Places to Work This is R/A !

Job Summary

As a Regional Director of Operations - Restaurant Service Division, you will provide hands-on leadership across a portfolio of high-volume, upscale, and fine dining restaurant operations. This role is responsible for supporting General Managers, elevating service standards, strengthening financial performance, and ensuring exceptional guest experiences across multiple locations. You will be highly engaged in the day-to-day business, regularly visiting restaurants during peak service periods to assess operations, coach leadership teams, identify opportunities for improvement, and drive execution.

This position requires a hospitality leader who is comfortable working in a restaurant environment, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as business demands require. Success in this role comes from building strong client relationships, developing high-performing teams, maintaining uncompromising service standards, and delivering sustainable growth and profitability across the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support General Managers and operational leaders across multiple restaurant locations.
• Conduct regular restaurant visits to observe service execution, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement operational enhancements.
• Drive a culture of hospitality, accountability, and service excellence throughout the region.
• Partner with restaurant leadership to improve guest satisfaction, team engagement, and overall operational performance.
• Manage client and stakeholder relationships, serving as the primary escalation point and trusted business partner.
• Oversee financial performance for the region, including P&L management, forecasting, budgeting, labor, and cost controls.
• Analyze key business metrics and develop action plans to improve revenue growth, profitability, and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with General Managers to create and execute strategic business plans that support growth objectives.
• Support new business development efforts, client presentations, retention strategies, and expansion opportunities.
• Ensure consistent execution of company standards, policies, food safety requirements, and operational procedures.
• Identify market trends, competitive opportunities, and best practices to strengthen business performance.
• Develop succession plans and leadership pipelines while coaching managers to enhance their operational and business acumen.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture focused on continuous improvement.

What We’re Looking For

• Progressive multi-unit restaurant operations leadership experience overseeing multiple locations.
• Fine dining or luxury hospitality experience is required.
• Demonstrated success supporting and developing General Managers and restaurant leadership teams.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing P&L performance, budgeting, forecasting, and cost management.
• Proven ability to grow revenue, improve profitability, and drive operational excellence.
• Experience managing sophisticated client relationships and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• Skilled at identifying operational opportunities and implementing practical, results-driven solutions.
• Strong communication and influencing skills with the ability to set clear expectations and hold teams accountable.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on operational involvement.
• Comfortable navigating fast-paced environments and making informed business decisions.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities across a large geographic region.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and operational reporting systems
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and leadership experience.
• Experience within fine dining restaurants, luxury hotels, private clubs, destination dining, or premium hospitality environments.
• Demonstrated success leading multi-unit operations generating significant annual revenue.
• Experience with client-facing business development, contract retention, and relationship management.
• Passion for hospitality, operational excellence, and developing future leaders.

Associates At Restaurant Associates Are Offered Many Fantastic Benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug‑free workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/