Director Of Operations - Hospitality

Keller Executive Search is a renowned recruitment firm known for placing exceptional leaders across various industries including startups, non-profits, and multinational corporations. The company prides itself on ethical search processes, attentive candidate care, and securing leadership placements that drive long-term client success. Specializing in executive recruitment, Keller Executive Search offers personalized service to both candidates and clients, ensuring a perfect match for leadership roles that impact organizational growth and culture.

This exciting opportunity is for a Director of Operations position at a celebrated boutique five-star luxury hotel located in the southeastern United States. The hotel operates in a unique entrepreneurial environment that values real influence over the hotel's strategy, culture, and guest experience. Unlike larger corporate or big-box hotels, this position offers a rare chance to work closely with the Managing Director as second-in-command with minimal bureaucracy, allowing for agile decision-making and meaningful leadership impact.

As the Director of Operations, you’ll be responsible for overseeing day-to-day hotel operations across Rooms, Food & Beverage, and Culinary departments. The role demands a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on involvement, overseeing operational excellence that aligns with five-star luxury standards. Additional responsibilities include leading budget management, labor planning, and financial performance across departments, ensuring the profitability and forecasting accuracy in partnership with Finance and Revenue Management teams. The leadership you provide will extend to recruitment, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams, including succession planning for future leadership needs.

This role requires extensive interaction with VIP guests, owners, and strategic partners, embodying exceptional hospitality at every guest touchpoint. You will lead initiatives aimed at enhancing the culinary experience in partnership with restaurant management and will drive continuous improvement and accountability throughout the hotel's operations. The hotel demands high standards in cleanliness, safety, preventive maintenance, and regulatory compliance, all of which fall under your purview as the Director of Operations.

The role is both challenging and rewarding, ideally suited for candidates with over 10 years of progressive leadership experience within luxury hospitality, particularly those who have held executive operational roles such as Director of Operations, Hotel Manager, or Executive Assistant Manager at Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond, or similar luxury properties. Financial acumen is essential, alongside proven success managing multifaceted operations in boutique, independent, or entrepreneurial settings. Exceptional communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills are critical to fostering a culture rooted in exceptional hospitality and accountability.

This position offers a competitive base salary ranging from $150,000 to $165,000, commensurate with experience, with an additional performance-based bonus. Comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage with voluntary health plans, a 401(k) with employer match, and a dynamic work environment where your leadership will truly shape the guest experience and business outcomes. Working with Keller Executive Search ensures a transparent and ethical recruitment process, dedicated to equal employment opportunity and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and reasonable accommodations. This role stands out as a prestigious career move for operational leaders looking to make a tangible difference in a top-tier luxury hospitality setting.