Common Ground Hospitality
Common Ground Hospitality is a growing, multi-faceted restaurant group operating numerous concepts throughout Southern Sussex County, Delaware and Worcester County, Maryland. Our locations are concentrated within approximately a 20-mile radius, allowing our leadership team to stay connected, hands-on, and actively involved in the day-to-day success of each restaurant.
We are looking for an experienced Director of Operations to join our leadership team and help drive operational excellence across our restaurants. This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership position for someone who understands restaurant operations from the ground up and knows how to develop strong managers, build accountability, control costs, and consistently deliver an exceptional guest experience.
Job Summary
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Director of Operations to lead and optimize our organization’s core business functions. The Director of Operations will oversee the day-to-day operations and performance of multiple restaurant locations. In this pivotal role, the Director of Operations will drive operational excellence, oversee large-scale organizational change initiatives, and ensure seamless business operations across our restaurant group. The Director f Operation's leadership will foster a culture of continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, and innovative business development. This individual will work closely with ownership, senior leadership, General Managers, and restaurant leadership teams to ensure each location is meeting Common Ground Hospitality's standards for hospitality, financial performance, food quality, cleanliness, culture, and team development.
Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and operational oversight for multiple restaurant locations and concepts.
- Coach, mentor, and hold General Managers and restaurant leadership teams accountable for performance.
- Establish clear expectations and ensure consistent execution of company standards across all locations.
- Review restaurant financial performance, including sales, labor, food and beverage costs, controllable expenses, and overall profitability.
- Analyze P&Ls and operational reports and develop action plans when locations are not meeting established goals.
- Work with restaurant leadership to build appropriate staffing levels, scheduling practices, and labor controls.
- Oversee food and beverage cost controls, inventory procedures, purchasing, waste, comps, discounts, and voids.
- Ensure restaurants maintain high standards for food quality, service, cleanliness, safety, and overall guest experience.
- Conduct regular restaurant visits and provide actionable feedback to management teams.
- Recruit, develop, retain, and build a strong pipeline of restaurant leadership talent.
- Identify training opportunities and help develop managers into stronger, more accountable leaders.
- Create consistency and accountability while recognizing that each restaurant concept has its own identity and operational needs.
- Monitor guest feedback and work with management teams to resolve recurring service or operational issues.
- Ensure compliance with company policies as well as applicable health, safety, employment, and alcohol-service requirements.
- Help implement new systems, procedures, technology, and operational initiatives across the organization.
- Partner with ownership and senior leadership on budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning, and growth initiatives.
- Assist with new restaurant openings, renovations, concept changes, and other company projects as needed.
- Foster a positive, professional culture built around accountability, communication, teamwork, and hospitality.
Qualifications
- At least 7 years of restaurant management experience, with significant experience leading high-volume restaurant operations.
- Proven ability to lead and develop restaurant managers and management teams.
- Strong understanding of restaurant financials, including P&Ls, labor management, food cost, inventory, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Ability to manage multiple locations and priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail.
- Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability and willingness to maintain a visible presence in the restaurants, including during nights, weekends, holidays, and peak business periods when necessary.
- Reliable transportation and the ability to travel regularly between our locations in Southern Delaware and Maryland.
- Candidates MUST provide a minimum of three professional references
Preferred Experience:
- Previous multi-unit restaurant leadership experience.
- Experience with Restaurant365 (R365).
- Experience with Toast POS.
- Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and restaurant reporting/analytics.
- Experience with both front-of-house and back-of-house restaurant operations.
- Experience developing General Managers and other senior restaurant leaders.
Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary starting at $100,000+, commensurate with experience.
- 5% quarterly net bonus structure.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Full individual medical coverage.
- Family medical coverage options available.
- Paid time off.
- Opportunity to play a significant leadership role in a growing, locally operated restaurant group.
Who We're Looking For
We are not looking for someone who simply wants to manage from an office. We are looking for a restaurant operator and leader who enjoys being in the restaurants, developing people, solving problems, and driving results.
The ideal candidate understands that successful restaurant operations require a balance of great hospitality, strong financial discipline, clear accountability, and a healthy team culture. You should be able to build relationships with your managers while also having the confidence to set expectations and hold people accountable.
If you are an experienced restaurant leader who thrives in a fast-paced, multi-unit environment and wants the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a growing hospitality group, we would love to hear from you.
Common Ground Hospitality is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Pay: From $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
