Director of Operations - Restaurant

Leap Brands

Santa Barbara, CA

JOB DETAILS
JOB TYPE
Full-time
SKILLS
Business Skills, Coaching, Communication Skills, Employee Relations, Finance, Financial Management, Food Quality, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Marketing, Mentoring, Metrics, Operational Expenditure (OPEX), Performance Metrics, Profit & Loss, Profit & Loss Analysis, Profit & Loss Statements, Remodeling, Restaurant, Revenue Growth, Safety/Work Safety, Sales, Succession Planning, Team Building, Willing to Travel
LOCATION
Santa Barbara, CA
POSTED
7 days ago

We are looking for a Director of Operations who knows what great restaurant operations look like and has the leadership skills to build them at scale. This isn't a corporate desk job. We're looking for a hands-on operator who enjoys being in the restaurants, coaching leaders, improving financial performance, and creating an exceptional guest experience.

The Director of Operations will oversee multiple full-service restaurant locations and partner with General Managers to drive sales, profitability, operational excellence, and team development.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the operational performance of multiple full-service restaurant locations.
  • Coach, mentor, and develop General Managers and Area Leaders.
  • Drive sales growth while improving restaurant profitability and EBITDA.
  • Analyze P&L statements and identify opportunities to improve labor, food cost, and operating expenses.
  • Ensure every restaurant consistently delivers an exceptional guest experience.
  • Maintain high standards for food quality, cleanliness, service, and hospitality.
  • Develop action plans for underperforming restaurants and hold leadership teams accountable for results.
  • Recruit, train, and retain high-performing operational leaders.
  • Partner with HR on hiring, employee relations, and succession planning.
  • Work closely with Marketing, Culinary, Finance, and Training to execute company initiatives.
  • Monitor KPIs including sales, labor, food cost, guest satisfaction, turnover, and safety metrics.
  • Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and company operating standards.
  • Travel regularly between restaurant locations.

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of multi-unit leadership experience in full-service restaurants.
  • Experience overseeing multiple restaurant locations with responsibility for financial performance.
  • Strong understanding of restaurant P&Ls and key operating metrics.
  • Proven ability to develop General Managers into high-performing leaders.
  • Experience leading high-volume restaurant operations.
  • Excellent communication and coaching skills.
  • Strong business acumen with the ability to balance hospitality and profitability.
  • Willingness to travel extensively.

Preferred Experience

  • Casual dining, polished casual, upscale casual, or family dining experience.
  • Experience with 8–20+ restaurant locations.
  • Background working with private equity-backed or growth-oriented restaurant companies.
  • Experience leading new restaurant openings, remodels, or operational turnarounds.

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About the Company

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Leap Brands