Director of Operations

About this position

Position

Description:

COMPANY SUMMARY ELIA Group is a multi-faceted, fully integrated real estate and hospitality company that acquires, develops, and manages commercial properties in landmark locations throughout the United States. In Real Estate & Development and Hospitality, we don't sit back and let things happen, we make things happen! Whether we're crafting deals or cocktails, our unparalleled attention to detail leads to award-winning real estate development and hospitality projects.

POSITION SUMMARY ELIA Group is seeking a highly strategic, hands-on Director of Operations to lead multi-unit hospitality operations across our Detroit and Nashville portfolio. This executive will serve as a key partner to the executive leadership team, with responsibility for operational excellence, financial performance, talent development, guest experience, and brand execution across diverse venue formats — from fine dining to high-volume entertainment-driven concepts.

This role requires a leader who can operate in both worlds:

• Elevated service standards and precision execution
• High-energy, entertainment-centric environments
• Multi-unit oversight with rigorous P&L accountability
• Strategic thinking with in-the-field leadership presence

The Director of Operations must be as comfortable in a fine dining room as in a packed live-music venue on a Saturday night.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES As a Director of Operations, you will oversee all aspects of restaurant and hospitality operations to ensure efficiency, profitability, and exceptional customer experiences. This includes managing food and beverage quality, operational efficiencies, and vendor relationships while aligning strategies with the company's goals. You will lead a high-performing team, driving training, and development initiatives to foster a culture of excellence.

Key responsibilities include analyzing and reporting on performance metrics, optimizing budgets, and implementing standards for safety, compliance, and service. Additionally, you will work closely with stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement, address feedback, and deliver innovative solutions that enhance overall satisfaction and operational success. Multi-Unit Leadership & Operational Execution

• Provide day-to‑day leadership that drives the company to achieve financial and operational objectives.
• Drive consistency in service standards, hospitality execution, and brand alignment.
• Conduct regular in‑market site visits to evaluate performance, culture, cleanliness, compliance, and guest experience.
• Partner with General Managers to elevate accountability and ownership at the unit level.
• Ensure disciplined execution of company standards across varied venue formats.
• Motivate and lead a high‑performing team; recruit, attract, and retain top talent.

Financial Performance & P&L Ownership

• Maintain full accountability for venue‑level and portfolio‑level financial performance.
• Analyze revenue, labor, COGS, and controllable expenses to drive margin expansion.
• Lead forecasting, budgeting, and corrective action planning.
• Identify operational efficiencies without compromising guest experience or brand positioning.

Talent Development & Leadership Culture

• Recruit, develop, and retain high‑performing Managers and leadership teams.
• Establish clear performance standards and measurable goals.
• Conduct structured performance reviews and leadership development planning.
• Foster a culture of ownership, urgency, and disciplined execution.
• Reinforce accountability at every management level.

Guest Experience & Brand Integrity

• Protect and elevate brand standards across fine dining and entertainment‑driven concepts.
• Monitor guest feedback trends and implement system‑wide improvements.
• Ensure hospitality…