Director of Restaurant Operations

SSP America is seeking an accomplished Director of Operations to lead a complex, multi-brand food and beverage operation at Bradley International Airport (BDL). This role is designed for an experienced airport food & beverage operator who thrives in complex environments, builds high-performing teams, and delivers sustainable financial results.

About the Role

You will lead a high-impact airport food & beverage operation, including:

• Multi-unit airport restaurant portfolio with $20M+ annual managed sales
• Multiple General Managers and restaurant leadership teams
• Unionized workforce
• Partnerships with Airport Authority, brand partners, labor representatives, and cross-functional Support Center teams

Responsibilities

Success in this role means demonstrating the ability to:

• Lead complex airport food & beverage operations through periods of change and growth
• Build high-performing General Managers through coaching, accountability, and succession planning
• Develop productive labor-management relationships within a collective bargaining environment
• Drive measurable improvements in financial performance, guest experience, and operational execution
• Create a culture of accountability, professionalism, and operational excellence
• Lead multiple concepts while balancing brand standards, labor, food safety, inventory controls, and financial performance

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of progressive operational leadership in multi-unit restaurant or food & beverage operations
• Current or recent leadership of multiple restaurant locations, including direct development of multiple General Managers
• Full P&L accountability for a multi-unit portfolio generating at least $20 million in annual managed sales
• Experience leading complex airport food & beverage operations or similarly regulated, high-volume, multi-unit environments
• Proven experience leading unionized operations, including labor relations, contract compliance, and partnership with union representatives
• Ability to develop senior operational leaders through coaching, succession planning, and performance management
• Success improving operational performance through financial analysis, labor optimization, and strategic business planning
• Experience partnering with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to drive results

Preferred Qualifications

• Director of Operations or Regional Operations leadership experience within airport food & beverage
• Experience leading large, geographically dispersed, multi-brand restaurant portfolios
• Demonstrated success leading operational turnarounds or improving underperforming multi-unit businesses

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary Benefits: Life AD&D, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance
• SSP 401(k) Plan with Employer Matching
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave
• Bonus Eligibility

Pay

$100,000 – $120,000 Base Salary + Performance Bonus