VP of Operations

About the role

The Vice President of Restaurant Operations is a senior leader responsible for driving operational excellence, scaling performance, and building the infrastructure required for NAYA's next phase of growth. This role partners closely with cross-functional leaders to translate strategy into consistent, high-performing restaurant execution across all markets.

Responsibilities

• Translate company strategy into clear, executable operational plans across all restaurants and markets
• Drive consistent improvement in key performance metrics: sales, transactions, labor productivity, food cost, and store-level profitability
• Establish and reinforce operating standards that ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability
• Build systems, routines, and accountability structures that elevate execution across Area Managers and General Managers
• Partner with Finance to manage budgets, forecasts, and performance targets
• Lead operational readiness for new restaurant openings and market expansion
• Develop scalable playbooks for entering and stabilizing new markets
• Partner with Real Estate, Development, and Marketing to ensure successful market launches
• Build regional leadership structures to support multi-market growth (Market Directors, Area Managers)
• Identify risks and opportunities in new and existing markets, adjusting strategy accordingly
• Ensure consistent delivery of a high-quality, hospitality-driven guest experience across all locations
• Champion initiatives that enhance speed, accuracy, food quality, and overall guest satisfaction
• Partner with Marketing and Culinary to bring brand and menu initiatives to life in restaurants
• Leverage guest feedback and operational data to continuously improve the experience
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing field organization rooted in NAYA’s values
• Create clear expectations, coaching rhythms, and accountability across all levels of operations
• Partner with People & Culture to strengthen hiring, onboarding, training, and retention strategies
• Develop strong leadership pipelines (Shift Leaders → GMs → Area Managers → Market Directors)
• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Ensure full compliance with all local, state, and federal labor laws, with deep expertise in NYC Fair Workweek (FWW) requirements
• Partner with HR and Legal to mitigate risk and uphold best practices across scheduling, pay, and employee relations

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive restaurant operations leadership experience - with significant experience in the fast casual sector
• Current or prior experience as a Vice President or Senior Director of Operations in a multi-unit fast casual restaurant brand
• Proven success leading multi-market operations and supporting new market expansion
• Deep experience operating in New York City, including strong working knowledge of Fair Workweek (FWW) and labor compliance
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational performance and improve unit-level economics
• Experience building and leading high-performing field leadership teams
• Strong cross-functional partnership skills (Finance, HR, Marketing, Culinary, Technology)

Qualifications

• Current or prior experience as a Vice President or Senior Director of Operations in a multi-unit fast casual restaurant brand
• Proven success leading multi-market operations and supporting new market expansion
• Deep experience operating in New York City, including strong working knowledge of Fair Workweek (FWW) and labor compliance
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational performance and improve unit-level economics
• Experience building and leading high-performing field leadership teams
• Strong cross-functional partnership skills (Finance, HR, Marketing, Culinary, Technology)

Skills

• Strategic restaurant operator who can zoom out to set direction and zoom in to drive execution
• A builder who thrives in growth environments and knows how to scale systems, teams, and performance
• A strong people leader who develops talent and holds teams accountable
• Highly data-driven, with the ability to translate insights into action
• Hands-on, visible, and present in the field

Benefits

• Competitive pay to recognize your impact
• Competitive bonus plan
• Paid Vacation time
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance to keep you healthy and thriving
• Flexible Spending Account
• Commuter benefits to make life easier
• Employee discounts and free NAYA meals — because we believe in enjoying what we serve
• Pet Insurance - because we love our furry friends
• Growth opportunities at every level — we invest in developing leaders from within
• Employee Assistance, Pay on Demand, Identity Theft Protection, and much more!

Pay

Competitive pay to recognize your impact

Schedule

Not specified