Restaurant Director of Operations

Self Opportunity, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A casual dining company is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to oversee a portfolio of 8–10 high-volume restaurants in Chicago. This role includes driving sales growth, ensuring guest satisfaction, and developing management teams. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of multi-unit leadership experience in casual dining and strong financial acumen. This position offers an annual salary between $100,000 and $120,000.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of proven multi-unit leadership experience in casual or fine dining required.
• Strong financial acumen with demonstrated success in P&L management.
• Ability to coach and develop high-performing teams at scale.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a portfolio of 8–10 high-volume casual dining restaurants.
• Drive sales growth, guest satisfaction, profitability, and operational efficiency.
• Recruit, develop, and mentor high-performing managers.

Skills

Multi-unit leadership

P&L management

Coaching teams

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Director of Operations to oversee a portfolio of 8–10 high-volume casual dining restaurants, providing overall leadership to ensure consistency and excellence across all units. This strategic role is responsible for driving sales growth, guest satisfaction, profitability, and operational efficiency while partnering with General Managers to set goals, develop business plans, and hold teams accountable for results. The Director will recruit, develop, and mentor high-performing managers, implement and monitor brand standards and operational systems, and ensure compliance with company policies, food safety regulations, and labor standards. Additionally, this leader will collaborate with senior leadership on long-term growth strategies, marketing initiatives, and potential new unit openings, while serving as a cultural ambassador who fosters accountability, integrity, and a strong hospitality-focused environment across the organization.

Base pay range

$100,000.00/yr - $120,000.00/yr

Responsibilities

The Director of Operations will oversee a portfolio of 8–10 high-volume casual dining restaurants, providing leadership to ensure consistency and excellence across all units. This role drives sales growth, guest satisfaction, profitability, and operational efficiency, partnering with General Managers to set goals, develop business plans, and hold teams accountable for results. The Director will recruit, develop, and mentor high-performing managers, implement and monitor brand standards and operational systems, and ensure compliance with company policies, food safety regulations, and labor standards. In addition, the role collaborates with senior leadership on long-term growth strategies, marketing initiatives, and potential new unit openings, while serving as a cultural ambassador who fosters accountability, integrity, and a strong hospitality-focused environment across the organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of proven multi-unit leadership experience in casual or fine dining required.
• Experience in fast food/QSR leadership is acceptable, but multi-unit casual or fine dining experience must be stronger.
• Strong financial acumen with demonstrated success in P&L management, budgeting, and driving profitability.
• Ability to coach and develop high-performing teams at scale.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Must reside within 1–1.5 hours of the assigned restaurant market.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance big-picture vision and daily execution.
• Hands-on leader who is visible in the restaurants and highly engaged with teams.
• Ability to influence, motivate, and hold teams accountable while maintaining a culture of hospitality and excellence.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Management

Industries

• Restaurants