DIRECTOR, OPERATIONAL INNOVATION & ENABLEMENT

Compass Group•Remote, WA

2d•$160,000 - $180,000

About The Position

The Director, Operational Innovation & Enablement serves as the bridge between organizational strategy and field execution across a complex, multi-site hospitality portfolio. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, the role partners with field leadership to translate strategic priorities into scalable execution models that can be adopted across diverse campuses, operating formats, and levels of organizational maturity. The position builds organizational capabilities, deployment frameworks, and leadership systems that help teams adopt, sustain, and scale new programs, technologies, and operating models. Its focus is on developing organizational capability—not traditional operational support centered on reporting, governance, or performance management. Success is measured by consistent execution, sustainment, and scaling of strategic initiatives across locations and operating models, with long-term change supported by established systems, leadership capability, and operational ownership. The role also partners with cross-functional teams to evaluate and deploy innovations, leads enterprise initiative deployment from planning through sustainment, and serves as a strategic partner to the VP of Operations and senior leadership team. Salary is $160,000–$180,000 per year, with a 15% annual bonus opportunity.

Requirements

At least 8 years of leadership experience in multi-unit hospitality, food service, retail, corporate dining, contract catering, or similarly complex service environments.
Experience leading initiatives across geographically dispersed, multi-site operations with diverse business models, stakeholder groups, and operating complexities.
Proven success building operating systems, leadership development programs, training functions, or change-management initiatives across dispersed teams.
Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and drive adoption of new programs, technologies, and operating models.
Demonstrated success leading organizational transformation, including change adoption, capability development, operational deployment, and long-term sustainment.
Experience piloting, implementing, and scaling innovative solutions in complex operating environments.
Strong project and program management skills, including stakeholder engagement, deployment planning, and performance measurement.
Ability to build cross-functional alignment and influence leaders at all organizational levels, including senior leadership, through credibility, strategic thinking, and effective change leadership.
Strong communication skills and experience creating scalable tools, frameworks, and resources that support field execution.
Experience partnering with senior leaders to influence organizational priorities, align cross-functional stakeholders, and drive enterprise-wide initiatives.
Ability to translate organizational strategy into scalable operating models, deployment frameworks, and leadership capabilities that deliver measurable business outcomes.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Experience in leadership development, organizational learning, training, continuous improvement, or operational excellence initiatives.

Responsibilities

Develop scalable operating frameworks, playbooks, standards, and tools to drive consistency across the portfolio.
Build leadership capability through scalable learning frameworks, field resources, and development programs focused on execution, problem-solving, decision-making, and change leadership.
Equip district and site leaders to lead and sustain improvement initiatives independently.
Lead change management efforts, including communication, stakeholder engagement, readiness planning, and adoption strategies.
Establish accountability and sustainment mechanisms that reinforce long-term execution, organizational ownership, and continuous improvement.
Translate strategic priorities into practical implementation plans for field teams.
Assess operational challenges and identify opportunities to improve effectiveness, consistency, and organizational capability.
Partner with cross-functional teams to identify, evaluate, and advance operational, service, and technology innovations.
Design pilot and testing frameworks to evaluate ideas and measure effectiveness.
Convert successful pilots into scalable operating models supported by standards, training, and deployment plans.
Enable adoption across diverse locations, business formats, and leadership teams.
Create pathways to move innovations from concept through pilot, deployment, and long-term sustainment.
Lead operational deployment of enterprise initiatives from planning through adoption and sustainment.
Align stakeholders across Operations, Culinary, Experience, Finance, and support functions to ensure successful execution.
Assess organizational readiness and proactively address implementation barriers.
Establish metrics and reporting processes to measure adoption, execution quality, and initiative effectiveness.
Identify, standardize, and scale best practices across the portfolio.
Partner with the VP of Operations and senior leadership team to translate organizational priorities into scalable operating solutions that strengthen capability and drive execution.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance and AD&D
Disability insurance
Retirement plan
Paid time off
Holiday time off (varies by site/state)
Associate Shopping Program
Health and Wellness Programs
Discount Marketplace
Identity Theft Protection
Pet insurance
Commuter benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Paid Parental Leave
Personal Leave
May be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws
15% annual bonus opportunity