Director of Operations - Ruth's Chris Steak House
Your Impact
As a key member of the Operations Team, the Director of Operations for our Ruth's Chris Steak House locations will provide strategic leadership, operational
excellence, and expertise in leading assigned locations. This position is accountable for ensuring top-line sales growth, meeting or exceeding sales and budget expectations, and bottom-line profitability. The position ensures adherence to brand standards, operational systems, labor and COGS controls, reporting and inventory management. The position is also responsible for growing thriving business teams with the right people in the right seats to achieve company goals. The Director of Operations drives culture, excellence and consistency across operations while elevating hospitality and guest experience.
Your Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
• Oversee day-to-day operational and financial performance across all restaurant locations, ensuring alignment with company standards, brand values and
financial goals.
• Lead the development and execution of operational strategies to grow and sustain thriving business teams, leveraging PHG's EOS Operating System.
• Develop, implement, and refine operational systems, processes and best practices to improve efficiency, hospitality and guest satisfaction, ensuring each team meets PHG's GSS expectations.
• Conduct regular site visits to evaluate service quality, brand standards, food safety, cleanliness, operational execution and team culture.
• Implement both existing and new operational procedures and brand standards and ensure compliance across locations.
• Ensure compliance with programs, policies and procedures established by both PHG and its franchisor, including purchasing and training programs.
• Execute growth strategies and agile processes to enhance operational efficiencies, hospitality and guest experience.
• Manage operational facilities, equipment and Cap Ex planning and purchases.
• Measure and improve internal and external operational processes.
• Oversee operational audits to ensure compliance with company specifications and standards.
Financial and Profitability Management
• Ownership of each unit's P&L for all assigned restaurants, driving revenue growth, cost control and overall profitability.
• Analyze financial reports, KPIs, labor metrics, food and beverage costs and purchasing practices to identify opportunities and execute corrective actions quickly.
• Manage budgets, maximize revenue and ensure cost control while prioritizing guest satisfaction.
• Partner with the PHG Finance team on forecasting, budgeting and long-range planning.
People Leadership
• Lead, coach, mentor and develop management teams to deliver consistent, high-quality performance, consistently delivering feedback to grow thriving business teams.
• Recruit, train and retain top-tier talent to support growth and reduce turnover.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement in alignment with PHG's Core Values.
• Communicate and uphold company goals, standards and culture.
• Lead teams in multi-state and multi-unit environments.
• Facilitate team member development, succession planning and low turnover.
• Ensure the right people are in the right seats to meet company goals.
Guest Experience and Brand Standards
• Ensure best-in-class hospitality through strong service standards, refined execution and proactive guest-feedback management.
• Monitor guest satisfaction trends and lead initiatives to enhance hospitality and guest experience.
• Ensure food, beverage and restaurant experiences align with brand quality and standards.
• Maintain brand consistency across all markets, supporting menu execution, service protocols and overall ambiance.
Strategic Initiatives and Growth
• Improve operational efficiencies and productivity utilizing AI and ensuring teams are using AI to do the same.
• Lead performance improvement initiatives, operational rollouts and new restaurant openings.
• Assist with development projects from inception to completion, and on-time/on-budget openings and acquisitions, when they arise.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic planning, expansion opportunities and special projects.
• Drive innovation in systems, service models and operational efficiencies.
Your Skills and Experience
• Bachelor's Degree.
• 8 or more years of progressive leadership experience in full-service or fine-dining restaurant operations; multi-unit experience required.
• Proven ability to lead, develop and collaborate with teams through change.
• Proven track record of improving profitability and operational performance.
• Strong business acumen with deep knowledge of P&L management, labor planning and restaurant financial metrics.
• Strong written and verbal communication using the tools, systems and resources provided by PHG.
• Proven ability to make strategic decisions for the betterment of the team through problem solving and process improvement.
• Focus on ethical and compliance-driven decision making in alignment with PHG's Core Values.
• Ability to operate with confidentiality while managing conflict and sensitive business information.
• Interest and experience operating and implementing hospitality-related technologies and tools.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and make sound decisions quickly.
• Must be willing and able to travel and be on location at least 70% of the time.
• Work from the PHG's Support Center office when not on location (must live in or near Indianapolis, IN).
• High standards for quality, service and execution.
Competencies
• Strategic thinking and results orientation.
• Strong operational discipline.
• Talent development and coaching skills.
• Guest and Team Member centric mindset.
• Data-driven decision making.
• Adaptability in a fast-changing environment.
Work
Authorization Requirements Authorized to work in the United States of America.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties,responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
The above requirements outline management's assignment.
