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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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