Director of Operations

Naperville, IL, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $90,000.00 - $110,000.00

Work Schedule

Flexible

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Employee Discounts

Training and Development

flexible schedule

Job Description

Cantigny Golf, located in Wheaton, Illinois, is one of the Midwest's premier public golf destinations. Featuring 27 holes plus a 9-hole youth links course, state-of-the-art practice facilities, a full-service clubhouse, dining venues, and year-round instructional programs, Cantigny Golf is recognized for exceptional course conditions and outstanding guest service. As part of Cantigny Park, a 500-acre destination that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, the facility offers beautifully maintained gardens, walking trails, museums, educational programming, special events, and recreational opportunities. Cantigny Park is one of the Chicago area's most unique cultural and outdoor attractions and is owned by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, emphasizing excellence, stewardship, and service. Team members thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment focused on delivering exceptional hospitality while preserving and enhancing one of the region's most treasured public spaces.

The Director of Operations at Cantigny Golf is a pivotal role responsible for managing the daily operations across the entire property, including golf operations, food and beverage services, maintenance, grounds, guest services, safety, and vendor management. This hands-on leader collaborates closely with the Director of Food & Beverage, Director of Golf, Head Superintendent, and Director of Sales to oversee and successfully execute strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing guest experiences, operational excellence, and financial performance. The role requires a dynamic, coach-and-player leadership approach, emphasizing influence and collaboration rather than formal authority. The Director of Operations also partners with the General Manager to develop and evaluate target initiatives and administer workforce management tasks such as training, compliance, and succession planning. Responsibilities include project management of cross-department initiatives, change management, continuous process improvement, and ensuring compliance with health, safety, and regulatory standards. This position demands a flexible and adaptable mindset, able to navigate shifting priorities and evolving guest needs, while driving operational improvements and fostering a culture of coaching and talent development. The role is full-time, year-round, exempt, and salaried, offering an annual pay range between $90,000 and $110,000. KemperSports Management, the employer, values equal employment opportunity and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment.

Job Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
minimum 5 years of operations management experience in hospitality or recreation
experience working cross-functionally with food & beverage, golf, grounds, and sales departments
excellent communication skills
proficiency in Microsoft Office and operations software
ability to analyze data and manage projects
strong leadership and coaching skills
ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays
ability to work in a dynamic environment requiring walking, standing, and moving equipment
food safety or sanitation certification or ability to obtain within 30 days
full-time availability
willingness to supervise managers and staff
ability to maintain compliance with safety and regulatory standards

Job Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, business administration, or a related field
or an equivalent combination of education and experience
5+ years of high-volume operations management experience in hospitality, recreation, or similar environments
experience coordinating across food & beverage, golf, grounds/head superintendent, and sales is highly preferred
demonstrated track record in leading cross-functional teams, budgeting, project management, and strategic execution
strong verbal and written communication skills
advanced Excel and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
experience with POS and operations software
solid understanding of inventory controls, vendor management, and cost-control practices
ability to analyze data, develop actionable plans, and drive results
customer-service oriented with a collaborative leadership style
ability to bridge gaps between departments
coaching and mentoring capability
emotional intelligence
facilitation and negotiation skills
change-management mindset
comfortable guiding teams through ambiguity and organizational shifts
food safety certification, safe alcohol service, or related sanitation training

Job Duties

Actively participate in frontline operations to model Cantigny and KemperSports standards and demonstrate operational excellence
coach, mentor, and develop supervisory staff and cross-functional leaders
provide timely, constructive feedback and performance development plans
build bench strength through targeted training, succession planning, and opportunities for growth across departments
partner with the General Manager and cross-functional leaders to develop, implement, monitor, and adjust strategic initiatives that enhance guest experience, operational excellence, and financial performance
lead project management for cross-department initiatives, ensuring on-time delivery, accountability, and measurable outcomes
oversee day-to-day operations across Cantigny Golf and Cantigny Park, including facilities, maintenance, grounds, guest services, safety, security, technology, and vendor management
maintain consistent service standards and operational policies
drive continuous improvement and standardization across properties
work in concert with the Director of Food & Beverage, Director of Golf, Head Superintendent, and Director of Sales to align on staffing, scheduling, events, revenue opportunities, and service delivery
lead through influence—build trust, create cross-functional coalitions, and guide priorities without relying on formal authority
use data, dialogue, and collaborative problem-solving to drive alignment and buy-in
act as a manager of change: assess change impact, develop change-management plans, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and monitor adoption and outcomes
navigate shifting priorities, resource reallocations, and evolving guest needs with agility and resilience
quickly acquire domain knowledge for unfamiliar functions
leverage internal experts and coordinate cross-functional teams to implement improvements
facilitate knowledge transfer and standardization across departments
assist the General Manager with workforce planning including recruitment strategy, training programs, performance management, and succession planning
develop and maintain training curricula, ensure regulatory compliance including safety, food safety, labor laws, and worker certifications
track completion and effectiveness of training
oversee onboarding, safety programs, and ongoing staff development
monitor attendance and payroll accuracy
manage performance development plans
assist with budgeting, financial reporting, and cost-control measures across properties
prepare periodic reports to inform decision-making
maintain inventories and asset management practices aligned with organizational standards
ensure implementation and adherence to health, safety, and sanitation standards
drive corrective actions as needed
maintain compliance with local and regional regulations and company policies
uphold risk-management practices
serve in the absence of other department heads to maintain smooth operations
design, implement, and evaluate workforce-training programs focused on guest service, safety, and regulatory compliance
embed coaching practices and measure training effectiveness
own relevant checklists, standard operating procedures, and process improvement initiatives to ensure organizational cleanliness, safety, and operational excellence
directly supervise key operational leaders and managers
ensure performance alignment with Cantigny standards