Director of Operations at Zuzu Nashville – NASHVILLE, Tennessee

ELIA Group is a multi-faceted, fully integrated real estate and hospitality company that acquires, develops, and manages commercial properties in landmark locations throughout the United States. In Real Estate & Development and Hospitality, we dont sit back and let things happen, we make things happen! Whether were crafting deals or cocktails, our unparalleled attention to detail leads to award-winning real estate development and hospitality projects.

ELIA Group is seeking a highly strategic, hands-on Director of Operations to lead multi-unit hospitality operations across our Detroit and Nashville portfolio. This executive will serve as a key partner to the executive leadership team, with responsibility for operational excellence, financial performance, talent development, guest experience, and brand execution across diverse venue formats from fine dining to high-volume entertainment-driven concepts. This role requires a leader who can operate in both worlds:

The Director of Operations must be as comfortable in a fine dining room as in a packed live-music venue on a Saturday night.

As a Director of Operations, you will oversee all aspects of restaurant and hospitality operations to ensure efficiency, profitability, and exceptional customer experiences. This includes managing food and beverage quality, operational efficiencies, and vendor relationships while aligning strategies with the companys goals. You will lead a high-performing team, driving training, and development initiatives to foster a culture of excellence. Key responsibilities include analyzing and reporting on performance metrics, optimizing budgets, and implementing standards for safety, compliance, and service. Additionally, you will work closely with stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement, address feedback, and deliver innovative solutions that enhance overall satisfaction and operational success.

Multi-Unit Leadership & Operational Execution

Provide day-to-day leadership that drives the company to achieve financial and operational objectives.

Drive consistency in service standards, hospitality execution, and brand alignment.

Conduct regular in-market site visits to evaluate performance, culture, cleanliness, compliance, and guest experience.

Partner with General Managers to elevate accountability and ownership at the unit level.

Ensure disciplined execution of company standards across varied venue formats.

Motivate and lead a high-performing team; recruit, attract, and retain top talent.

Financial Performance & P&L Ownership

Maintain full accountability for venue-level and portfolio-level financial performance.

Analyze revenue, labor, COGS, and controllable expenses to drive margin expansion.

Lead forecasting, budgeting, and corrective action planning.

Identify operational efficiencies without compromising guest experience or brand positioning.

Talent Development & Leadership Culture

Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing Managers and leadership teams.

Establish clear performance standards and measurable goals.

Conduct structured performance reviews and leadership development planning.

Foster a culture of ownership, urgency, and disciplined execution.

Reinforce accountability at every management level.

Guest Experience & Brand Integrity

Protect and elevate brand standards across fine dining and entertainment-driven concepts.

Monitor guest feedback trends and implement system-wide improvements.

Ensure hospitality remains the foundation of operational decision-making.

Maintain visible leadership presence in venues to reinforce culture and standards.

Strategic Growth & Cross-Functional Alignment

Partner with executive leadership on expansion initiatives, new openings, and concept evolution.

Lead operational planning for new venue launches.

Align procurement, vendor relationships, and supply chain strategy across markets.

Oversee execution of events, entertainment programming coordination, and venue-level security standards.

Identify innovation opportunities that improve operational scalability and profitability.

Compliance, Safety, & Standards

Ensure all operations comply with company policies, procedures, and legal regulations.

Enforce safety, sanitation, and security standards across locations.

Monitor execution of company programs, training, and operational guidelines.

5+ years of progressive multi-unit restaurant or hospitality leadership experience.

Experience overseeing both fine dining and high-volume entertainment-driven venues strongly preferred.

Demonstrated P&L ownership across multiple locations.

Proven ability to build, mentor, and elevate senior leadership teams.

Strong financial acumen and data-driven decision-making skills.

Experience working closely with executive leadership and ownership.

Willingness and ability to travel regularly between Detroit and Nashville.

High emotional intelligence and strong executive presence.

At ELIA, we use our unique experience and contributions to deliver more than value we set new standards! The Director of Operations we seek is someone looking for more than a job we want to work with someone who is as passionate as us about what we do and how we go about doing it. We are seeking a leader who is:

Operationally disciplined but creatively aware

Calm under pressure

Detail-driven without losing sight of big-picture strategy

Relentless about standards

Comfortable in both luxury environments and high-energy nightlife settings

Motivated to build something lasting

Bachelors degree in Hospitality Management, Business, or related field preferred (or equivalent executive-level experience).

Competitive executive-level salary (commensurate with experience)

Performance-based incentive structure

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401(k)

Employee Dining Benefits

Long-term growth opportunities within a vertically integrated hospitality and development platform

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.This position is regularly required to stand, reach, bend and lift heavy objects. The noise level in the work environment is typically high.

This role operates between office and venue environments in Detroit and Nashville. Evening and weekend presence in venues will be required based on business needs.

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. Responsibilities may evolve based on operational needs, growth initiatives, and leadership strategy.