What does a Director of Operations recruiter do? A Director of Operations recruiter finds and places the multi-unit leaders who run operations across several restaurants, hotel outlets or properties. These leaders sit between the General Managers and the COO or owner. The strongest candidates are already running comparable operations, so the search relies on confidential outreach and on verifying each candidate's results: unit performance, labor and cost control, GM retention and openings. JWB Hospitality is a boutique hospitality executive search firm that recruits operations leaders for restaurant groups, hotel companies, private clubs and hospitality brands nationwide.
At a glance: Most operations searches take 30–90 days · 300+ hospitality placements · 95% offer acceptance · 20% of first-year base salary on contingency, no upfront retainer · 90-day replacement guarantee
Most companies hire their first Director of Operations when the owner, founder or COO can no longer be in every location. Common triggers:
The wrong hire shows up quickly in GM turnover, uneven guest experience and missed margins. Proven operators rarely apply to job postings, so a specialist search reaches people a posting will not.
Restaurant groups hire a Director of Operations to run several locations through their General Managers: setting standards, controlling labor and food cost, developing managers, protecting the guest experience and opening new units. We look for operators who have run a comparable number of units at a similar service level and volume, from chef-driven and fine dining groups to café and high-volume concepts.
We recruit Directors of Operations, Regional Directors, Area Directors, Senior Directors of Restaurants and Vice Presidents of Operations. See also our restaurant executive search page.
In hotels, operations leadership often sits in food and beverage: one leader running every restaurant, bar, rooftop, room service and event space in the property, or F&B across several properties. Hotel owners and management companies also hire Directors of Operations and Area General Managers to run multiple properties.
We recruit hotel Directors of Operations, Regional Directors of Food & Beverage, Directors of F&B Operations, GMs of Outlets and Area General Managers. See also our hotel and resort executive search page.
Multi-unit restaurant operations
Director of Operations, Regional Director of Operations, Area Director, Senior Director of Restaurants, Multi-Unit Manager
Hotel and F&B operations
Director of Operations, Regional Director of Food & Beverage, Director of F&B Operations, GM of Outlets, Area General Manager
Senior operations leadership
Vice President of Operations, Senior Vice President of Operations, Head of Hospitality Operations
Above and below this level
Hiring a COO? See our hospitality COO recruiter page. Hiring the General Managers who report to this role? See our General Manager recruiter page.
JWB has completed more than 10 operations searches above the General Manager level, from Director of Operations to COO, for restaurant groups, hotel companies and hospitality brands. Named clients below are ones already public on our site. Other searches are described without names to protect client confidentiality.
JKS Restaurants: Director of Operations. Senior operations leadership for a multi-concept restaurant organization.
Oram Hotels: Regional Director of Food & Beverage. F&B operations leadership across the company's hotels.
Multi-concept New York City restaurant group: Vice President of Operations and Senior Director of Restaurants. Two senior operations hires for the same company.
Multi-unit hospitality company: Senior Vice President of Operations, followed by a Director of Operations for its café and restaurant brand.
Lifestyle hotel group: General Manager and F&B Director overseeing the outlets of a high-volume hotel.
Investment firm: Head of Hospitality and Building Operations.
Aman New York: Director of F&B Operations and Director of Service.
We evaluate operations candidates on:
1. Discovery. We meet with you to define the role, the units it covers, reporting lines, first-year goals, compensation and culture.
2. Market mapping. We identify operators running comparable multi-unit operations at competing and adjacent companies, including strong GMs ready to step up.
3. Confidential outreach. We approach candidates directly and keep your search private.
4. Evaluation and short list. We interview, verify results and check references, then present a small group of qualified finalists.
5. Offer and transition. We help with compensation, the offer and resignation, and stay in touch through the first months.
For current pay ranges, see our Director of Operations salary guide.
JWB Hospitality works on contingency: 20% of the placed leader's first-year base salary, invoiced only when you hire. There is no upfront retainer. Every placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the hire leaves or is let go within that period, we restart the search at no added fee.
Every search is confidential. We can recruit while the current leader is still in place. To compare search models, see retained vs. contingency search.
What does a restaurant Director of Operations do?
A restaurant Director of Operations runs several locations through their General Managers. The role sets operating standards, manages labor and food cost, develops managers, protects the guest experience and leads new openings. It usually reports to the COO, CEO or owner.
How long does a Director of Operations search take?
Most searches take 30 to 90 days, depending on the number of units, the market and the compensation.
What does a Director of Operations recruiter cost?
Hospitality recruiters commonly charge about 20% to 30% of first-year compensation. JWB charges 20% of first-year base salary on contingency, with no upfront retainer and a 90-day replacement guarantee.
What is the difference between a Director of Operations and a VP of Operations?
A Director of Operations usually runs a group of units or a region. A VP of Operations usually oversees the whole operation, often with several Directors reporting to them, and works closely with the CEO or COO. We recruit both.
How much does a Director of Operations make?
Pay depends on the number of units, the company's size and the market. See our Director of Operations salary guide for current ranges.
Can you recruit confidentially?
Yes. Most operations searches are confidential, including searches to replace a leader who is still in the role.
Tell us how many units the role covers, the timing and what the next operator needs to fix or build. We will tell you what the search will take and who is realistic to approach.
Related: Director of Operations salary guide · VP of Operations salary guide · restaurant executive search · hotel and resort executive search · General Manager recruiter · hospitality COO recruiter
JWB Hospitality
Executive search for restaurants, hotels, resorts, private clubs, and hospitality brands nationwide.