Senior Director, Operations – Airline Lounges - Sodexo

Unit Description

Sodexo Live! is seeking a high-performing Senior Director of Operations for our American Express Centurion Lounges.  

Does your background scream HOSPITALITY!?  Are you the LEADER we are looking for?  Sodexo has an exciting opportunity for a Director of Operations with our client, American Express, based in the Los Angeles, Denver, or Atlanta markets.  The Director will oversee lounge operations in multiple cities throughout the country.  

This is a hybrid position based in either Los Angeles, Denver, or Atlanta.  The preferred candidate must reside close to a hub airport and be able to travel 75% of the time.  Base salary plus bonus, benefits, paid vacation, 401k, and more.

Position Overview: Reporting directly to the VP of Operations,  you will oversee and direct the food and beverage operations for our large, multi-site client ensuring successful operations and strong client relationships.

This includes the following key duties:

• Build and maintain strong client relationships promoting the Clients for Life philosophy'
• Work proactively with clients and Sodexo Live! Vice President of Operations in all matters relating to contract and account operations to establish and maintain a solid and mutually beneficial business relationship;
• Lead and inspire your teams to continually improve Sodexo's performance for our clients and customers;
• Analyze and forecast financial results making decisions based on data and needs;
• Develop and innovate to promote improved performance within units;
• Manage vendor contracts and oversee performance; and/or
• Build and maintain strong teams through recruitment and retention.

We are looking for:  

• This position requires superior leadership and organizational skills. Candidate must have a proven track record, ideally within the airline lounge arena, and/or within top tier hotels, cruise lines or similar food and beverage experience with a focus on exceptional customer service;  
• Ideal candidate will have a compelling and energetic executive presence along with a great attention to detail and the ability to excel within the client team environment. Previous multi-site responsibility required;
• This position requires the candidate to be a strategic-thinking leader who can work in partnership with a complex client organization. You will also work nationally in a matrix-style environment to deliver consistently high-quality operations;  
• Experience managing high end food venues;
• Extensive fiscal management experience which includes developing and managing individual budgets within company and client targets, fiscal analysis, utilization of data to make effective business decisions and proven ability to deliver on growth strategies;
• Knowledge of the latest trends and innovations to drive client value;
• Demonstrated ability to build, develop, and lead a strong management team;
• Highly developed organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple and often conflicting priorities, meet deadlines and pro-actively address operational and client needs;
• Proven ability to develop exceptional client relations;
• Strong communication, presentation and client relations skills and the ability to work both horizontally and vertically within both organizations; and/or
• Business development skills to identify and successfully target growth opportunities among existing clients. 

Learn more about our Airline Lounges: Click Here

Away from the hustle and bustle of the airport, the airport lounges are dedicated spaces for elite passengers to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy chef created dishes or order from the full-service bar which serves premium wine and spirits.

Sodexo offers fair and equitable compensation, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. While the budgeted range for the position is posted, Sodexo salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education and training.

What We Offer

Sodexo offers fair and equitable compensation, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. While the budgeted range for the position is posted, Sodexo salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education and training.

Qualifications & Requirements

Basic Education Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experienceBasic Management Experience: 0-7 yearsBasic Functional Experience: 7 years

Sodexo is an EEO/AA/Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran employer.