Director of Operations - Ithaka Hospitality Partners - Montgomery

Join Ithaka Hospitality Partners in shaping the future of our industry through innovative leadership and excellence in service. We are seeking a visionary Director of Operations to lead and oversee total hotel operations for our Montgomery property, including a 99-room hotel, a full-service restaurant, a Grab & Go Café, and a 10,000-square-foot conference center. This executive role is central to driving employee engagement, elevating guest satisfaction, and optimizing profitability.

Position Summary

The Director of Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for guiding the Rooms and Food & Beverage (F&B) department leaders while ensuring operational excellence, financial performance, and exceptional guest experiences. Reporting directly to senior management, this individual will play a key role in executing the strategic vision of the organization while upholding Ithaka Hospitality Partners' standards of excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Provide executive oversight for all aspects of hotel operations, including Rooms and F&B departments.
• Lead day-to-day operations with a hands-on approach, ensuring team performance meets and exceeds operational standards.
• Serve as a role model for operational excellence, capable of stepping into key team roles as needed.
• Champion the Ithaka culture, delivering exceptional guest interactions and ensuring the highest service standards.

Guest Experience Optimization

• Monitor and improve the guest journey across all touchpoints, from arrival to departure.
• Address guest concerns promptly, providing thoughtful solutions and training teams on handling issues effectively.
• Collaborate with Food & Beverage, Rooms and Housekeeping leadership to enhance service delivery, preventative maintenance, and quality improvements.
• Actively respond to guest reviews on social media and satisfaction platforms to strengthen brand loyalty.

Talent Development & Engagement

• Foster a culture of continuous learning through structured training programs and development opportunities.
• Conduct regular departmental meetings and daily "huddles" to ensure alignment on goals and priorities.
• Hire, mentor, and support department leaders and team members, promoting a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Implement company training systems alongside IHP's Director of Training & Development, leveraging tools like Schoox to ensure comprehensive onboarding and skill enhancement.

Financial and Operational Accountability

• Analyze daily revenue and labor reports to ensure operational efficiency without compromising service quality.
• Partner with revenue management, Department Heads, and the General Manager to forecast, budget, and achieve financial targets.
• Oversee cost controls, including food, labor, and operating expenses, to maximize profitability.
• Leverage data analytics to identify growth opportunities and refine operational strategies.

Innovation in F&B and Menu Development

• Collaborate with culinary and F&B leadership to develop seasonal menus and enhance guest offerings.
• Lead pre-service briefings to communicate menu updates, special requests, and service expectations effectively.
• Uphold stringent health and safety standards, achieving exemplary inspection scores.

Quality Assurance and Maintenance

• Maintain a pristine operational environment by enforcing cleanliness and compliance with health codes.
• Proactively manage preventative maintenance schedules for equipment and facilities.
• Set and achieve performance goals using structured frameworks such as the 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX).

Flexibility and Operational Support

• Adapt to evolving operational demands, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to meet business needs.
• Provide guidance on specialized services such as coffee programs, banquets, and in-room dining enhancements.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3+ years in senior leadership roles within the hospitality industry.
• Proven expertise in upscale hotel and restaurant operations with a focus on guest satisfaction and revenue optimization.
• Bachelor's degree in hospitality or a related field is preferred.
• Strong understanding of Forbes and AAA service standards.
• Exceptional knowledge of operational software such as Agilysys Point of Sale, ADP, Opera Cloud, and KYC Hotel Optimization.

Why Ithaka Hospitality Partners?

We are a group of individuals who believe that the journey is just as important as the destination. That life is a string of experiences made to be enjoyed. That a company can have a soul, and that soul is more than the sum of its parts. We are Ithaka. Our road is full of adventure and discovery.

Ithaka Hospitality Partners was founded as a premier partner in the hospitality management industry, focused on driving loyalty and creating enhanced experiences for our guests, team members, and owners.

We are committed to long-term partnerships between all stakeholders, creating a true alliance partnership unique in our industry. Through strong, enduring relationships with our partners, streamlined operations and the highest level of engagement, we deliver strategic and tactical methods to achieve overall profitability, guest satisfaction and employee loyalty.

We believe in serving our guests, team members, investors, owners, and partners with honesty, integrity and uncompromising quality. Ithaka boasts a high level of involvement with all aspects of hospitality management, and provides a clear vision with a commitment to bringing that vision to life. Our business acumen coupled with our deep understanding of the hospitality industry at a global level sets us apart.

For more information, please visit ithakahp.com.

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An Equal Opportunity Employer

We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants are given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.