Senior Vice President of Operations

Senior Vice President of Operations (SVP, Operations)

Location: Bentonville, AR (onsite)
Compensation: $225,000-$300,000 base salary + performance bonus + equity/profit share
Additional Benefits: Relocation assistance
Reports to: Chief of Staff / CEO
ROLE OVERVIEW

Our client is seeking a Senior Vice President of Operations (SVP, Operations) to lead the end-to-end operational excellence of an 800-acre, mission-driven campus undergoing rapid expansion.

This is a senior leadership role for a hands-on systems builder who can architect operational infrastructure in a fast-scaling environment. The SVP will design and implement the processes, software platforms, vendor systems, and accountability structures that allow a complex physical campus to scale without sacrificing guest experience or operational excellence.

This leader will oversee all non-academic, non-fundraising operations - ensuring the campus is safe, functional, financially disciplined, and delivers a world-class experience to every guest.

The ideal candidate thrives in high-growth environments where ambiguity is high, expectations are elite, and operational complexity is significant.
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The SVP of Operations oversees:

Campus Security

Hospitality & Housekeeping

Culinary Operations

Maintenance & Facilities

Grounds & Landscaping

Guest Experience

Construction & Capital Projects

Special Projects & Events

This role manages disparate in-person operational sectors including vendors, employees, contractors, facilities teams, cleaning/maintenance staff, food service teams, and guest services personnel.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Operational Strategy & Systems Buildout

• Architect and execute a scalable operational strategy for a large, multi-function physical campus.
• Design and implement operational systems, SOPs, KPIs, and reporting structures.
• Lead the implementation of software platforms (facilities management, vendor management, scheduling, procurement, budgeting, ticketing/guest systems, etc.).
• Replace fragmented or legacy processes with streamlined, technology-enabled solutions.
• Ensure operational systems scale alongside rapid organizational growth.

Construction, Vendor & Capital Project Leadership

• Oversee all construction, renovation, and capital projects across the campus.
• Manage external construction vendors, architects, engineers, utilities, and specialty contractors.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and aligned with long-term campus plans.
• Establish vendor accountability systems, bid discipline, and performance standards.
• Develop structured processes for contractor management and capital forecasting.

Note:

Construction management experience is required; prior experience as a builder is not.
Guest Experience & Hospitality Excellence

• Ensure the campus consistently delivers a best-in-class, hospitality-driven experience.
• Lead operations with the standards of elite, client-facing environments such as top-tier theaters, golf courses, luxury hospitality venues, theme parks, or destination campuses.
• Oversee hospitality, food service, housekeeping, and guest services to ensure seamless execution.
• Create operational systems that enable teams to delight guests at scale.

People & Team Leadership

• Lead and develop department heads across all operational functions.
• Build a high-performance culture rooted in accountability, pride, and ownership.
• Establish clear expectations, performance metrics, and succession planning.
• Integrate disparate teams into a unified operational engine.

Financial & Operational Discipline

• Develop and own operating budgets across all functions.
• Implement cost controls, forecasting systems, and financial reporting structures.
• Drive operational efficiency while maintaining experience quality.
• Hold teams accountable to defined KPIs and budget performance.

Facilities, Maintenance & Infrastructure

• Oversee preventative maintenance and asset lifecycle planning.
• Ensure buildings, infrastructure, roads, and grounds are safe and operational.
• Create structured long-term capital planning models to support growth.

Risk, Safety & Compliance

• Oversee campus security and emergency preparedness.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, safety, and operational standards.

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