Vice President Operations

Position Overview

The Vice President of Operations for the Restaurant Service Division offers strategic and operational leadership overseeing a wide array of upscale, high-volume, and fine dining restaurants. This senior executive role is key in enhancing operational efficiency, financial success, client satisfaction, and long-term growth across numerous markets and regions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overarching strategic guidance for restaurant operations spanning multiple regions.
• Lead and mentor General Managers and operation leaders to meet business goals and strengthen leadership skills.
• Formulate and implement operational plans that promote revenue growth, profitability, and excellent guest satisfaction.
• Cultivate a workplace culture emphasizing hospitality, accountability, inclusiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain strong partnerships with clients, executives, and stakeholders as a trusted business advisor.
• Enforce consistent adherence to service standards, food safety protocols, operational workflows, and compliance with company policies.
• Analyze operational data and financial metrics to uncover trends and areas for improvement, deploying action plans to achieve impactful outcomes.
• Direct regional and enterprise budgeting, forecasting, labor management, revenue maximization, and cost controls.
• Collaborate across functions including culinary, finance, HR, and business development to advance company initiatives.
• Oversee succession planning and talent development to bolster future leadership pipelines.
• Support client retention, contract renewals, new business acquisition, and expansion by leveraging operational expertise and executive relationships.
• Evaluate market competition and emerging hospitality trends to inspire innovation.
• Lead change management and operational transformation programs enhancing efficiency and guest experiences.
• Be an active, visible leader engaging with restaurant teams on-site to assess and improve performance alignment with standards.
• Encourage cross-regional collaboration to share best practices and ensure uniform excellence.

Qualifications and Experience

• Extensive leadership experience managing multi-unit restaurant or hospitality operations at senior levels across multiple sites or regions.
• Proven track record in developing senior operational leaders and creating high-performing teams.
• Strong financial expertise managing complex P&L, budgeting, forecasting, labor, and operational efficiency.
• Success in driving revenue growth, profitability improvements, and sustainable business plans.
• Experience managing complex client relationships and multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing abilities to engage all organizational levels.
• Strategic mindset balanced with hands-on operational leadership.
• Experience guiding change initiatives and scalable business improvements.
• Proficiency in MS Office, data analytics, and operational reporting systems.
• Background in fine dining, luxury hospitality, private clubs, hotels, destination dining, or premium foodservice environments.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business, Finance, or related field, or equivalent education and leadership experience.
• Track record managing significant annual revenue across multiple units.
• Supportive of business development, client retention strategies, and contract growth.
• Familiarity with multi-site hospitality operations, restaurant tech platforms, labor optimization, and performance analytics.
• Passion for hospitality excellence, guest-focused service, and cultivating future leaders.

Additional Information

Restaurant Associates is part of Compass Group USA and is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair treatment without discrimination based on protected classifications. Candidates must be able to fulfill essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

The company maintains a drug-free workplace and associates may be eligible for various paid and unpaid leave benefits aligned with applicable laws, including specific provisions for Washington State, Maryland, and remote workers.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off and holiday time (site/state dependent)
• Associate shopping program
• Health and wellness initiatives
• Discount marketplace
• Identity theft protection
• Pet insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Paid parental and personal leave