Director of Operations

Director of Operations

Multi-Brand Hospitality & Franchise Operations

Atlantic Region

On behalf of our confidential client, we are currently recruiting the Director of Operations to join their team of dedicated professionals in Atlantic Canada.

The Opportunity

Our client is a privately owned and growing hospitality and franchise organization operating a diverse portfolio of nationally recognized brands across Atlantic Canada. With a long history of operational excellence, the organization is focused on growth, leadership development, and building high-performing teams.

Reporting directly to ownership, the Director of Operations will provide strategic and operational leadership across a multi-brand portfolio that specializes in quick-service restaurants.

This is not a head-office role for someone who prefers dashboards over people. The successful candidate will be a highly visible leader who thrives in the field, builds credibility through operational expertise, and works closely with leadership teams to drive performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The organization is seeking a proven operator, someone who has personally led restaurants or multi-unit operations, understands the realities of running a business at store level, and has the ability to develop leaders while executing against long-term growth objectives.

The Role

As Director of Operations, you will serve as the senior operational leader responsible for overseeing multiple business units and supporting a team of leaders.

You will work closely with ownership to align operational execution with business strategy while ensuring each location achieves brand, financial, and service objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction across a diverse multi-unit portfolio.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of operational leaders.
• Drive accountability through consistent review of operational, financial, and people-performance metrics.
• Maintain strong field presence through regular site visits, coaching conversations, operational reviews, and performance assessments.
• Ensure all locations consistently meet or exceed brand operational standards.
• Partner with leadership teams to identify opportunities for growth, profitability, and operational improvement.
• Analyze key business metrics including labour productivity, scheduling efficiency, food cost performance, service standards, and guest experience measures.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and operational planning initiatives in collaboration with finance and ownership.
• Act as a liaison between franchise partners, support offices, internal leadership teams, and external stakeholders.
• Lead succession planning and leadership development efforts across the organization.
• Support future acquisitions, expansions, and new business opportunities as the company continues to grow.
• Foster a culture of operational excellence, accountability, continuous improvement, and teamwork.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will bring a combination of operational leadership experience, business acumen, and a strong desire to build and improve organizations.

You are a hands-on leader who enjoys being in the operation, coaching teams, solving problems, and driving results. You understand that sustainable success comes from strong systems, disciplined execution, and developing capable leaders.

Qualifications:

• MBA, Bachelor of Commerce and/or relevant education.
• 10+ years of progressive operational leadership experience within hospitality, restaurant, franchise, retail, or multi-unit environments.
• Proven success leading multiple locations through direct and indirect leadership structures.
• Previous experience as a Regional Manager, District Manager, Director of Operations, Vice President of Operations, or similar senior operational leadership role.
• Strong understanding of restaurant operations, labour management, food cost controls, service metrics, and profitability drivers.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing managers who lead large frontline teams.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to interpret business results and make data-driven decisions.
• Experience working within franchise systems is considered a strong asset.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and relationship-building abilities.
• High level of accountability, business maturity, and independent decision-making capability.

To express interest in this opportunity please apply online here.

If you have any questions, please contact Kate Spares, Recruitment Specialist, at [email protected] or Jeff Lanthier, Partner, at [email protected].

If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

Meridia Recruitment Solutions connects leading organizations with top talent by building strong relationships and creating ideal matches with candidates because we are only successful when you are. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity.

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