Operations Manager

POSITION

Operations Manager

The Lake is a new private social club opening in Fall 2026 in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Spanning 26,000 square feet, the clubhouse will feature a classic brick‑and‑limestone exterior paired with stylish contemporary interiors, creating an atmosphere that is both elegant and inviting. Designed to foster a vibrant, welcoming community, The Lake will center around an exceptional food and beverage program and bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a love of gathering with family and friends.

The club will offer three distinct restaurants, including a French‑inspired brasserie, a British American restaurant, and an Italian trattoria. In addition, members will enjoy two cocktail bars, a members’ wine cellar, a roof terrace, and three guest rooms, all thoughtfully designed to create a dynamic and curated experience.

Topography is a hospitality company founded by Liam Krehbiel in 2021 that develops and operates a collection of luxurious hotels and clubs, with a vision to build a world‑class company known for excellence in guest experience, employee satisfaction, financial performance, and environmental stewardship. The Lake will be Topography’s first property to open, with additional projects in development across Wisconsin, New England, and North Carolina.

At The Lake, operations is what allows every department and guest touchpoint to deliver on our promise of elevated hospitality. The Operations Manager is expected to combine strong business acumen with genuine hospitality leadership, ensuring consistent execution and a seamless experience across every department.

Team members are expected to uphold standards of leadership that are:

• Detail‑oriented and results‑driven
• Professional, decisive, and collaborative
• Structured yet adaptable
• Consistent in execution while responsive to member and team needs

Every decision — from staffing a shift to resolving a service breakdown — should reflect a seamless and elevated hospitality experience.

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing day‑to‑day operations across The Lake’s guest experience areas, ensuring consistent execution of service, staffing, and financial standards. This role prepares and supports the property for a seamless member experience by partnering closely with service and administrative leadership, from pre‑opening through ongoing operations, and serves as a key liaison to the General Manager on daily operational matters.

The ideal candidate is passionate about hospitality operations, possesses strong leadership and organizational skills, and thrives in a luxury, member‑focused environment where operational precision is as important as guest experience.

Oversee daily operations across The Lake’s guest experience areas, including housekeeping, valet, front desk, door service, and guest rooms.

Partner with department leaders — including housekeeping, valet, front desk, and door team leads — to maintain service standards and operational consistency.

Address operational issues quickly and professionally in support of the member experience.

Serve as the primary liaison between daily operations and the General Manager, providing regular updates and escalating priority issues.

Manage scheduling, labor planning, and staffing coverage across the property.

Support recruiting, onboarding, and training coordination alongside People & Culture.

Mentor department leads and support a positive, collaborative team culture.

Monitor budgets, cost controls, and overall financial performance across departments.

Manage vendor and supplier…