Director of Restaurant Operations

SSP • Windsor Locks, CT

8d • $100,000 - $120,000 • Onsite

About The Position

SSP America is seeking an accomplished Director of Operations to lead a complex, multi-brand food and beverage operation at Bradley International Airport (BDL). This opportunity is designed for an experienced airport food & beverage operator who has successfully led large-scale, unionized, multi-unit operations and has a proven ability to build high-performing leadership teams, improve operational performance, and deliver sustainable financial results. This is not a maintenance role. We are seeking a transformational leader who thrives in complex operating environments and creates a culture of accountability through disciplined execution, exceptional people leadership, and strong labor partnerships.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of progressive operational leadership with increasing responsibility across multi-unit restaurant or food & beverage operations.
• Current or recent leadership of multiple restaurant locations, including direct leadership and development of multiple General Managers responsible for independent business units.
• Full P&L accountability for a multi-unit portfolio generating at least $20 million in annual managed sales.
• Demonstrated success leading complex airport food & beverage operations or similarly regulated, high-volume, multi-unit environments.
• Proven experience leading unionized operations, including labor relations, contract compliance, issue resolution, and productive partnership with union representatives.
• Demonstrated ability to develop senior operational leaders through coaching, succession planning, performance management, and accountability.
• Proven success improving operational performance through financial analysis, labor optimization, inventory controls, operational discipline, and strategic business planning.
• Experience partnering with executive leadership and cross-functional business partners to drive operational and financial results.

Nice To Haves

• Director of Operations or Regional Operations leadership experience within airport food & beverage operations.
• Experience leading large, geographically dispersed, multi-brand restaurant portfolios.
• Demonstrated success leading operational turnarounds or improving underperforming multi-unit businesses.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-unit airport restaurant portfolio
• Oversee $20M+ annual managed sales
• Manage multiple General Managers and restaurant leadership teams
• Lead a unionized workforce
• Partner with Airport Authority, brand partners, labor representatives and cross-functional Support Center teams
• Lead complex airport food & beverage operations through periods of change and growth.
• Build high-performing General Managers through coaching, accountability, and succession planning.
• Develop productive labor-management relationships while effectively leading within a collective bargaining environment.
• Drive measurable improvements in financial performance, guest experience, and operational execution.
• Create a culture of accountability, professionalism, and operational excellence.
• Lead multiple concepts simultaneously while balancing brand standards, labor, food safety, inventory controls, and financial performance.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• EAP
• Voluntary Benefits: Life AD&D, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance
• SSP 401(k) Plan with Employer Matching
• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave
• Bonus Eligibility

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed