Position Overview
WS Management is seeking an experienced Regional Director of Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership to our select-service hotels throughout Northern California.
This position will oversee a portfolio of properties representing multiple nationally recognized hotel brands. The Regional Director of Operations will be accountable for property performance, leadership development, guest satisfaction, brand compliance, financial results, and the consistent execution of company standards.
This is not a remote, desk-based leadership position. The successful candidate will maintain a strong presence at the properties, build trusted relationships with General Managers and their teams, and remain closely connected to day to day hotel operations. Approximately 85% travel throughout Northern California is expected.
The ideal candidate is a decisive and approachable hotel operator who can evaluate a property, identify the most important opportunities, establish clear priorities, and hold leaders accountable for sustained results.
Key Responsibilities
Regional Leadership and Accountability
Provide direct leadership, coaching, and accountability to General Managers throughout the assigned region.
Establish clear operational priorities and ensure property leaders consistently follow through on company and ownership expectations.
Develop strong, independent General Managers who can lead their teams, solve problems, and communicate accurate and timely information.
Maintain a visible presence at each property through regular site visits, leadership meetings, and operational reviews.
Assist with leadership transitions, property openings, renovations, brand conversions, and other major operational initiatives.
Support WS Management's continued growth by helping integrate new properties and leadership teams into company systems and culture.
Operational Excellence
Evaluate hotel performance across front office, housekeeping, maintenance, sales, food and beverage, safety, and other applicable departments.
Ensure company SOPs, operational checklists, brand standards, and property-level controls are consistently implemented and maintained.
Conduct formal quality assurance inspections at least twice annually, in addition to regular scheduled and unannounced property visits.
Identify operational gaps and work with General Managers to create practical action plans with defined responsibilities and deadlines.
Ensure properties are maintained to WS Management's standards for cleanliness, condition, safety, and overall guest readiness.
Review guest feedback and satisfaction trends and ensure property leaders respond promptly and address recurring service concerns.
Financial and Commercial Performance
Review property financial performance, including budgets, forecasts, revenue, labor, expenses, flow-through, and profitability.
Partner with General Managers, Sales, Revenue Management, and Finance to identify risks and opportunities and develop appropriate action plans.
Ensure General Managers understand their financial statements and can explain monthly results, variances, and corrective actions.
Challenge properties to grow revenue while maintaining appropriate expense controls and protecting the guest experience.
Support the annual budgeting and capital planning processes.
Ensure property purchasing and operational decisions are accurate, well-supported, and aligned with ownership priorities.
People and Culture
Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, respect, and outrageous hospitality.
Coach General Managers on leadership effectiveness, communication, employee engagement, retention, training, and succession planning.
Partner with Human Resources on workforce planning, employee relations, investigations, performance management, leaves, and compliance matters.
Ensure leaders follow established hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, and documentation processes.
Identify high-potential leaders and create development opportunities that support internal career growth.
Promote an inclusive workplace where employees feel respected, supported, and responsible for contributing to the success of the property.
Compliance and Asset Protection
Ensure compliance with company policies, brand requirements, safety standards, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Partner with Human Resources, Finance, Risk Management, and ownership to address concerns promptly and appropriately.
Monitor property-level controls related to cash handling, purchasing, payroll, timekeeping, inventory, safety, and loss prevention.
Ensure operational issues are communicated accurately and escalated promptly when additional support or intervention is needed.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent hotel leadership experience will be considered.
At least seven years of progressive hotel operations experience, including three or more years as a successful General Manager, Area General Manager, or regional operations leader.
Experience overseeing select-service hotels within nationally recognized brands.
Multi-property or regional leadership experience strongly preferred.
Demonstrated success improving financial performance, guest satisfaction, brand compliance, and employee engagement.
Strong understanding of hotel financial statements, budgeting, forecasting, labor management, expense controls, and revenue strategy.
Ability to develop leaders while maintaining clear performance expectations and accountability.
Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with property teams, corporate leaders, ownership, and brand representatives.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, growing organization where priorities may evolve.
Proficiency with hotel operating systems, financial reporting platforms, Microsoft Office, and team communication tools.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel approximately 85% throughout Northern California, including occasional overnight travel.
Ability to respond to urgent property needs outside traditional business hours when necessary.
Our Leadership Philosophy
At WS Management, our leaders are expected to think beyond the immediate problem. We value leaders who identify root causes, develop sustainable solutions, communicate honestly, and follow through on commitments.
Our operational philosophy is guided by six core pillars:
Deliver Outrageous Hospitality
Attract and Retain the Right People
Make Everything Sparkle
Mind the Middle of the Page
Practice Customer-Focused, Consultative Selling
Protect Our Assets
We also remain mindful of the three areas every strong decision should support: our People, our Planet, and our Profit.