Director of Operations

About the Role

VCR Group is seeking a high-caliber Director of Operations to lead day-to-day operations across our New York City and New Jersey portfolio of restaurants and hospitality concepts. This role is built for a seasoned operator who can balance leadership, culture-building, systems, accountability, and financial performance. You will partner closely with the VP of Operations and oversee a team that includes HR support (via Chief of Staff), Finance (via Financial Controller), and on-site operational leaders.

This is a hands-on role with strategic visibility—ideal for someone who knows how to run great restaurants, build strong teams, and elevate both guest and employee experience.

Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership & Execution

Oversee day-to-day operations across all VCR Group properties in NYC and NJ.

Drive consistency, discipline, and excellence in service, hospitality, and guest experience.

Partner with GMs, Chefs, and Hourly Leadership to ensure each venue is running to company standards.

Conduct regular site visits, service observations, and operational walk-throughs.

People, Recruitment & Training

Lead recruitment standards for management and hourly teams.

Invest in training, development, and coaching to elevate performance at every level.

Collaborate with the VP of Ops to build, refine, and implement training tools, SOPs, and steps-of-service documents.

Shape and protect a strong internal culture across all venues—high standards, zero ego, exceptional hospitality.

HR & Team Support (with Resources)

Work directly with the Chief of Staff on HR issues, corrective action, performance management, and employee relations.

Ensure compliance with labor laws, scheduling practices, employee onboarding, and workplace standards.

Champion a culture rooted in accountability, communication, and support.

Financial Oversight

Full financial ownership of each assigned business, including weekly and monthly results.

Oversee financial controls with support from the Financial Controller.

Review P&Ls, Flash reports, weekly labor, COGS, and controllables to ensure alignment with budget.

Manage weekly cash reconciliation and payroll accuracy across locations.

Partner with GMs and Chefs to ensure ordering, inventory, and operating expenses are responsible and aligned.

Systems, Structure & Process

Collaborate with the VP of Operations to build and refine SOPs, training manuals, and internal resources.

Maintain operational standards around service steps, ambiance, cleanliness, and staff readiness.

Ensure consistent use of company systems (Toast, SevenRooms, scheduling tools, HRIS, etc.) across all venues.

Drive operational improvements that increase financial performance, guest satisfaction, and team cohesion.

Culture & Hospitality

Be a culture carrier—modeling excellence, humility, clarity, and hospitality every day.

Create environments where guests feel recognized and cared for, and where employees feel supported and empowered.

Work closely with the VP of Ops to continually raise the bar for service and hospitality across the group.

Qualifications

5–10+ years of progressive operational leadership in multi-unit hospitality.

Strong people leadership skills with proven experience developing teams.

Deep understanding of restaurant financials, payroll, and operational controls.

High operational IQ : service-obsessed, detail-oriented, and standards-driven.

Ability to be present across multiple venues weekly; comfortable operating in fast-paced environments.

Strong communicator with the ability to hold teams accountable while inspiring them at the same time.

Experience with POS, scheduling, HR, and reporting systems (Toast, SevenRooms, etc.).

A leadership style grounded in integrity, clarity, and hospitality.

What We're Looking For

A highly competent operator who :

Loves hospitality

Sets and protects standards

Builds strong teams

Owns the numbers

Thrives in high-expectation environments

Wants to grow with a group that is scaling rapidly