Director of Operations

Description

The Director of Operations, West Coast is a senior multi-unit leader responsible for driving the operational, financial, and cultural performance of José Andrés Group restaurants throughout the assigned Western region. Based in Las Vegas, this position provides direct leadership and support to General Managers and restaurant leadership teams, ensuring each operation consistently delivers exceptional hospitality, strong financial results, and operational excellence.

The Director of Operations will partner closely with JAG's executive leadership, Culinary, Beverage, Finance, People & Culture, Marketing, and other departments to develop and execute strategies that strengthen performance, grow revenue, develop talent, and support the continued success of the organization.

This role requires a highly experienced, financially sophisticated, and people-focused hospitality leader who understands the complexities of managing multiple restaurant concepts across different markets. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of leading high-volume, luxury, and chef-driven restaurant operations; developing strong General Managers; managing complex P&Ls; and delivering measurable improvements in profitability, guest satisfaction, and employee engagement.

This individual must be equally comfortable developing regional business strategies, reviewing financial performance, coaching senior restaurant leaders, working with hotel and property partners, and maintaining a visible presence in restaurants during service.

Regional Operations Leadership

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for assigned JAG restaurants throughout the Western region.
• Oversee the performance of multiple restaurant concepts, ensuring consistency in hospitality, operational standards, and financial results.
• Establish clear regional priorities aligned with JAG's overall business objectives.
• Partner directly with General Managers and restaurant leadership teams to execute operational strategies.
• Maintain a regular and visible presence in restaurants across the region.
• Conduct routine operational visits, service observations, and performance evaluations.
• Ensure each restaurant maintains the distinct identity, culinary vision, and hospitality standards of its concept.
• Identify operational challenges and implement effective, sustainable solutions.
• Drive consistency in systems, procedures, reporting, and leadership accountability.
• Support new initiatives, restaurant transitions, and operational improvements.
• Serve as a key connection between restaurant leadership teams and JAG executive leadership.

Financial Performance & P&L Management

• Assume accountability for the financial performance of assigned restaurants across the region.
• Drive revenue growth, profitability, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with Finance and senior leadership on annual budgets, financial forecasts, and business plans.
• Review weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial performance.
• Analyze P&L statements and identify opportunities to improve profitability.
• Monitor key financial indicators, including:
• Revenue and sales growth
• EBITDA and operating profitability
• Labor costs and productivity
• Food and beverage costs
• Controllable operating expenses
• Guest counts and average check
• Inventory management and waste
• Work directly with General Managers to develop and execute financial action plans.
• Ensure restaurants meet established budget and profitability targets.
• Evaluate business trends, sales mix, and market conditions to identify growth opportunities.
• Support capital planning, operational investments, and cost-control initiatives.
• Maintain strong financial accountability across all levels of restaurant leadership.

General Manager Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop General Managers and senior restaurant leaders.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability for operational and financial results.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, performance reviews, and development conversations.
• Build strong leadership pipelines and succession plans across the region.
• Identify high-potential managers and create opportunities for advancement.
• Partner with People & Culture and Talent Acquisition on recruitment and selection of key leadership positions.
• Support onboarding and development of newly appointed General Managers.
• Provide guidance on employee relations, performance management, and organizational challenges.
• Promote leadership behaviors that reflect JAG's values and hospitality culture.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance working environment.
• Hold restaurant leaders accountable for developing and retaining their own teams.

Guest Experience & Hospitality Excellence

• Champion exceptional hospitality and memorable guest experiences across all assigned restaurants.
• Ensure each concept consistently delivers its established service and hospitality standards.
• Maintain a visible presence during restaurant visits, particularly during high-volume service periods.
• Evaluate guest feedback, online reputation, and service performance.
• Partner with General Managers to address recurring guest experience challenges.
• Support thoughtful guest recovery and relationship-building initiatives.
• Ensure restaurants deliver personalized experiences for VIPs, regular guests, hotel guests, and special occasions.
• Identify opportunities to improve service execution and overall guest satisfaction.
• Reinforce the importance of warmth, authenticity, attention to detail, and genuine hospitality.
• Protect and strengthen the reputation of José Andrés Group across the Western region.

Culinary & Beverage Partnership

• Partner closely with regional and corporate Culinary and Beverage Leadership.
• Ensure alignment between operational execution and each restaurant's culinary vision.
• Support successful implementation of menu changes, seasonal offerings, and beverage initiatives.
• Collaborate on food and beverage cost management, inventory controls, and purchasing strategies.
• Ensure strong communication and collaboration between Front of House and Back of House leadership.
• Support initiatives that improve product quality, consistency, efficiency, and profitability.
• Participate in tastings, operational reviews, and culinary planning discussions as appropriate.
• Ensure operational teams have the knowledge and resources necessary to deliver each concept's intended guest experience.
• Maintain respect for the unique identity and culinary standards of every JAG restaurant.

Labor Management & Workforce Strategy

• Oversee regional labor strategies to support operational performance and profitability.
• Partner with General Managers to establish effective staffing models.
• Monitor labor productivity, overtime, scheduling practices, and management coverage.
• Review labor performance against forecasts and established targets.
• Anticipate seasonal staffing needs and changes in business volume.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and People & Culture on leadership recruitment and workforce planning.
• Support initiatives that improve employee engagement, retention, and internal advancement.
• Ensure restaurants maintain appropriate staffing levels without compromising hospitality.
• Promote compliance with applicable labor laws and company policies.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen workforce efficiency and organizational structure.

Strategic Planning & Business Development

• Develop and execute regional operational strategies aligned with JAG's long-term objectives.
• Partner with senior leadership on annual and quarterly business planning.
• Identify opportunities for revenue growth, operational improvements, and increased profitability.
• Evaluate regional market trends and competitive positioning.
• Support new restaurant openings, operational transitions, and concept launches as assigned.
• Partner with Marketing and Sales teams on initiatives that drive traffic, brand awareness, and revenue.
• Support private dining, events, partnerships, and other business opportunities.
• Evaluate business initiatives based on operational feasibility, guest impact, and financial return.
• Lead regional projects and operational improvement initiatives.
• Develop scalable processes and best practices that support consistent execution across markets.

Hotel, Property & Business Partnerships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with hotel ownership, property management, landlords, and other key business partners.
• Serve as a senior operational representative of José Andrés Group within assigned markets.
• Maintain productive communication with hotel General Managers, property leadership, and relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborate with hotel and property partners on operational priorities, shared initiatives, and guest experience opportunities.
• Address operational concerns proactively and professionally.
• Support alignment between JAG restaurant operations and applicable hotel or property standards.
• Participate in partner meetings and business reviews as required.
• Represent JAG with professionalism, integrity, and a collaborative approach.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships and support long-term business success.

Operational Standards, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all assigned restaurants maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness, safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor compliance with applicable food safety, alcohol service, employment, and operational regulations.
• Partner with General Managers to maintain inspection readiness.
• Ensure appropriate procedures are followed for cash handling, inventory, purchasing, and financial controls.
• Oversee implementation of JAG operational policies and standard operating procedures.
• Partner with Facilities and restaurant leadership on maintenance, repairs, and capital needs.
• Support incident response, risk management, and corrective action planning.
• Ensure operational concerns are identified, escalated, and addressed promptly.
• Promote a safe, respectful, and accountable working environment.

Cross-Functional & Executive Leadership

• Serve as a strategic partner to JAG's senior Operations Leadership.
• Maintain strong working relationships with Culinary, Beverage, Finance, People & Culture, Talent Acquisition, Marketing, Events, and Facilities.
• Communicate regional business performance, challenges, and opportunities to executive leadership.
• Participate in regional and company-wide leadership meetings.
• Present financial results, operational updates, and business action plans.
• Support the implementation of company-wide initiatives and strategic priorities.
• Ensure clear communication between corporate teams and restaurant leadership.
• Collaborate with fellow regional operations leaders to share best practices and improve organizational performance.
• Represent José Andrés Group professionally with internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive restaurant or hospitality leadership experience, including significant senior operational responsibility.
• 5+ years of multi-unit or regional restaurant leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Previous experience as a Director of Operations, Regional Director of Operations, Regional Vice President, Multi-Unit General Manager, or comparable senior hospitality leader.
• Proven experience overseeing multiple high-volume, upscale, fine dining, luxury hotel, or chef-driven restaurant operations.
• Experience managing restaurant operations across multiple markets or geographic locations.
• Strong financial acumen, including complex P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, labor management, COGS, and profitability.
• Demonstrated success improving revenue, operating margins, and financial performance.
• Proven track record of recruiting, coaching, and developing General Managers and senior leadership teams.
• Strong understanding of luxury hospitality, elevated service standards, and high-volume restaurant operations.
• Experience collaborating with Culinary and Beverage Leadership.
• Experience working with hotel ownership, property partners, and other external stakeholders strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting new restaurant openings and operational transitions preferred.
• Strong strategic planning, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multiple departments and leadership levels.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and comfortable managing competing priorities across several locations.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on operational engagement.
• Strong understanding of restaurant financial reporting, labor management, and operational systems.
• Positive, collaborative, accountable, and people-focused leadership style.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent senior leadership experience will also be considered.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout the assigned Western region, including occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak business periods.

Working Conditions & Travel Requirements

• This position is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Regular travel throughout the assigned Western region is required.
• Frequent visits to restaurant locations, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs dictate.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during restaurant visits and operational evaluations.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, high-volume restaurant environments.
• Flexibility to adjust schedules and travel based on business priorities.

In Return, We Offer You

• Competitive executive-level base salary
• Performance-based bonus eligibility
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Retirement savings opportunities
• Paid time off
• Employee dining and partner discounts
• Executive leadership development and professional growth opportunities
• Career advancement opportunities throughout José Andrés Group
• The opportunity to oversee a diverse portfolio of acclaimed restaurant concepts
• The opportunity to develop high-performing restaurant leaders across multiple markets
• A dynamic, innovative, and collaborative hospitality environment
• The opportunity to contribute directly to JAG's continued growth and operational success

Equal Opportunity Employer

José Andrés Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the federal E-Verify Program.