About the job

Location: UAE
Reports to: Regional Director of Operations
Department: Operations
Industry: Hospitality / Food & Beverage
Employment Type: Full-time

Role Purpose

The Head of Operations is responsible for the day-to-day operational leadership and execution across multiple F&B brands and sites. This role ensures that all venues operate in line with brand standards, meet commercial targets, and are fully supported through new site openings, stabilisation, and BAU operations.

The role exists to provide operational depth, consistency, and delivery capability, allowing the Regional Director of Operations to focus on regional strategy, senior stakeholders, and long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Execution (Core Focus)

• Lead the day-to-day operational performance across all brands and locations

• Ensure consistent delivery of service standards, guest experience, and brand execution

• Act as the primary operational escalation point for General Managers

• Drive operational discipline, accountability, and performance management

New Site Openings & Mobilisation

• Lead the operational execution of new site openings, from pre-opening through stabilisation

• Manage operational readiness including staffing, training, SOP implementation, and systems

• Work closely with PMO to support structured handover from project delivery into BAU

• Support soft openings, ramp-up strategies, and post-opening performance reviews

International Brand Execution

• Support the delivery of international and licensed brand standards at site level

• Ensure GMs are trained, compliant, and audit-ready

• Act as the operational link between brand guidelines and on-the-ground execution

• Escalate brand risks, deviations, or operational challenges to the Regional Director

People Leadership

• Directly manage and mentor all General Managers

• Support GM capability development, succession planning, and performance improvement

• Partner with HR on recruitment, onboarding, and training execution

• Build a strong operational leadership culture focused on ownership and results

Commercial & Financial Performance

• Support delivery of site-level P&Ls through operational controls

• Drive labour productivity, cost discipline, and margin performance

• Ensure menus, pricing, and promotions are executed as approved

• Identify operational improvements that enhance profitability and efficiency

Governance & Standards

• Ensure strict adherence to group SOPs, controls, and governance frameworks

• Support audits, readiness reviews, and compliance requirements

• Maintain strong food safety, H&S, and licensing standards across all sites

• Ensure clean reporting and escalation into the Regional Director of Operations

Required Experience & Profile

• 8 - 12+ years senior F&B operations experience

• Proven experience opening multiple F&B sites

• Experience operating multi-brand portfolios, including international or licensed brands

• Strong people leadership and execution mindset

• Commercially aware and operationally hands-on

• Experience working within structured SOP / governance environments

• UAE / GCC experience preferred

Success Measures

• Smooth, on-time site openings and stabilisation

• Consistent operational performance across sites

• Strong GM capability and retention

• Controlled labour and operating costs

• Positive brand audit and guest experience outcomes