Location Operations Manager

Saltbox•Chicago, IL

28d•$68,000 - $76,000•Onsite

About The Position

Saltbox is opening its first location in Chicago, Elmhurst, IL in fall 2026 and is hiring a Location Manager now to lead the new site. This role is responsible for running the location as a business, owning its health, the team's performance, and the member experience. The Location Manager will build the operational playbook, establish member relationships, and set the standard for future locations in the Chicago market. This is a unique opportunity for someone seeking full ownership of a location and the chance to shape it from its inception.

Requirements

Use AI in daily management work, performance reviews, member escalations, and weekly recaps, and encourage team adoption.
3+ years of experience managing a physical location or operations environment.
A business ownership mindset, focusing on outcomes and financial metrics.
Proven ability to develop people and grow the skills of those around you.
Strong member and customer relationship skills, with experience handling sensitive conversations.
Clear and direct communication style, ensuring transparency with the team and Market Leader.
Operational instincts to identify patterns, root causes, and implement systemic fixes.
Comfort with financial basics, including occupancy, labor cost, and margin.
Proficiency with tools such as Slack, Rippling, Pulse, and operational reporting platforms, with a willingness to learn new ones.

Responsibilities

Manage the location's business performance, including occupancy, member satisfaction, revenue targets, and budget adherence.
Review location performance weekly, understand key metrics, identify issues, and report to the Market Leader.
Oversee operational spending, including labor costs, supply budgets, and vendor relationships, within defined parameters.
Build and develop the team, focusing on their growth, performance, and confidence.
Manage headcount decisions, including hiring and onboarding new team members.
Conduct performance reviews, manage corrective actions, and make decisions regarding retention and separation.
Coach the team through challenging situations to foster their development.
Own member retention by proactively addressing issues before they lead to cancellations.
Lead tours and onboarding for high-value prospects, complex scenarios, and key member relationships.
Resolve member escalations, including billing disputes and contract conversations.
Ensure the location operates at Saltbox's standards by building systems and holding accountability.
Identify and resolve recurring operational problems at a systemic level.
Represent the location to the Market Leader and central teams, providing insights, risks, and opportunities.
Maintain and audit Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure compliance and identify gaps.
Utilize Saltbox's reporting tools (Pulse, scheduling, performance dashboards) for operational oversight.
Ensure the team effectively uses available tools and stays updated on system changes.