Director of Operations | Nashville | Relocation Assistance

A growing boutique hospitality group behind nationally recognized, cocktail-driven concepts is seeking a Director of Operations to oversee its expanding multi-unit platform. With locations across several major markets and additional openings underway, this is an opportunity to help shape the next stage of growth for an established but highly entrepreneurial organization.

The Director of Operations will lead day-to-day operational execution across the portfolio, strengthen systems and accountability, and ensure each location consistently delivers the approachable, high-energy experience the group is known for. This person should be comfortable setting strategy while remaining close enough to the restaurants to step in, solve problems, and get their hands dirty when needed.

This is not a traditional corporate or desk-based position. The ideal candidate is a confident, hands-on operator who understands flow and execution, communicates clearly across markets, and can bring greater structure to a company that values autonomy, personality, and speed.

Key Responsibilities

Multi-Unit Operations

• Oversee operations across a growing portfolio of hospitality concepts in multiple markets
• Partner closely with ownership and senior leadership to establish and execute the group’s operational strategy
• Maintain consistency in service, hospitality, product quality, cleanliness, and overall execution
• Conduct regular site visits, operational assessments, and service observations
• Identify performance gaps and create practical, sustainable solutions
• Support the successful opening and stabilization of new locations
• Balance the unique needs of each market with the standards and expectations of the broader organization

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop General Managers and other unit-level leaders
• Establish clear expectations and hold leadership teams accountable for performance
• Support hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and succession planning
• Identify high-potential team members and create opportunities for continued development
• Build a culture rooted in trust, accountability, strong communication, and genuine hospitality
• Provide teams with the structure and support needed to operate independently and successfully

Systems & Operational Structure

• Evaluate current systems, workflows, and operating procedures across all locations
• Develop and implement scalable SOPs, training programs, opening checklists, and accountability tools
• Improve communication and information flow between ownership, corporate leadership, and unit teams
• Ensure operational systems remain effective as the company enters new markets and adds locations
• Create practical processes that provide consistency without losing the personality and flexibility of the individual concepts

Financial Performance

• Take ownership of restaurant-level financial performance across the portfolio
• Monitor labor, cost of goods, controllable expenses, and overall profitability
• Review P&Ls and operational reporting to identify trends, concerns, and opportunities
• Partner with ownership on budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning
• Work with unit leaders to develop actionable plans that improve performance
• Evaluate operational investments and efficiencies that support responsible growth

Guest Experience & Brand Standards

• Protect and strengthen the group’s approachable, high-energy hospitality culture
• Ensure each location delivers a fun, welcoming, and memorable guest experience
• Maintain high standards without creating an overly corporate or rigid environment
• Respond decisively to operational challenges and guest experience concerns
• Help teams understand how service, atmosphere, speed, and execution work together to define the brand

Openings & Continued Growth

• Play a central role in upcoming openings and future expansion
• Coordinate pre-opening timelines, hiring, training, systems implementation, and operational readiness
• Help establish the infrastructure necessary to support continued multi-market growth
• Assess each new location following opening and make adjustments to improve flow and execution

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Significant progressive leadership experience within high-volume, multi-unit restaurants, bars, or hospitality concepts
• Proven experience overseeing operations across multiple locations and markets
• Strong background developing General Managers and building accountable leadership teams
• Experience creating SOPs, training programs, opening plans, and scalable operational systems
• Demonstrated success with new restaurant openings
• Strong financial acumen, including P&L management, budgeting, labor, cost controls, and forecasting
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage several priorities simultaneously
• Confident communicator who can work autonomously while keeping ownership appropriately informed
• Hands-on, resourceful operator who is comfortable stepping into the restaurants and assisting wherever needed
• Able to move fluidly between long-term strategy and immediate operational execution
• Comfortable working within an entrepreneurial, personality-driven organization
• Willing and able to travel approximately 50–60%
• Open to relocation

Leadership Style

The successful candidate will be:

• Direct, calm, and accountable
• Collaborative without requiring excessive oversight
• Comfortable making decisions and taking ownership
• Able to introduce structure without overcomplicating the operation
• Strong at building trust with both ownership and restaurant-level teams
• Flexible, resilient, and solutions-oriented
• Genuinely energized by hospitality and being in the restaurants

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: Up to $150,000
• Bonus Opportunity
• Health Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance Available
• Significant opportunity to grow alongside an expanding hospitality group

Salary : $150,000