Director of Operations in Palm Desert, California at DSRT Surf

DSRT SURF isn't a traditional workplace, and we're not looking for traditional people.

We're building a first-of-its-kind surf and lifestyle destination in Palm Desert, California — one of the largest wave venues in North America. We're in the active launch phase, which means the pace is fast, the stakes are high, and every department is building something that hasn't existed before. We're looking for people who thrive in that environment, take ownership seriously, and genuinely want to help build something special.

This is a fully on-site role in Palm Desert, California.

What You'll Do

The Director of Operations is a senior cross-functional role that reports directly to the Vice President and General Manager. This is not a department head role — it is the role that makes every department head more effective.

Think of this position as the operational engine behind the VP. The Director of Operations keeps all moving parts connected, surfaces problems before they become crises, drives accountability across departments, and ensures the day-to-day execution of DSRT SURF's strategy is consistent, coordinated, and on track.

The right person for this role leads with warmth, earns trust quickly, and knows how to get things done without being told twice. They turn chaos into clarity. They move without needing a lot of direction. When something is broken, they don't wait for a meeting to fix it — they figure it out and keep going. Friendly, not familiar. Collaborative, not deferential. The kind of person people are genuinely glad to see walk into their department.

Cross-Functional Operations Leadership

• Serve as the operational point of contact across all departments — Guest Experience, Food & Beverage, Lifeguard and Water Safety, Facilities, Marketing, and Sales
• Identify gaps, dependencies, and misalignments between departments and drive resolution before they impact operations or the guest experience
• Act as a liaison between the VP and department heads, ensuring priorities are clearly communicated and executed consistently across the organization
• Step into departments as needed to provide operational support, troubleshoot issues, and keep things moving — without overstepping departmental ownership

Process Improvement and Operational Excellence

• Identify opportunities for process improvement across all operational areas and bring forward practical, actionable recommendations
• Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures and operational frameworks in alignment with approved policies
• Ensure all departmental documentation, materials, and compliance requirements are complete, current, and accessible
• Build and maintain operational systems that scale — creating infrastructure that supports growth without adding unnecessary complexity

Project and Initiative Management

• Run operational meetings including weekly department syncs, cross-functional planning sessions, and launch readiness reviews
• Capture and track all action items, decisions, issues, and risks coming out of meetings — and hold owners accountable for progress
• Manage the operational calendar for key milestones, deadlines, and dependencies across departments
• Flag risks and blockers to the VP proactively, with a clear point of view on how to address them

VP Support and Strategic Execution

• Function as a force multiplier for the VP — taking on operational ownership of initiatives so the VP can focus on strategy and external priorities
• Prepare briefings, recaps, status updates, and operational reports as needed for leadership and stakeholders
• Represent the VP in cross-departmental discussions and decision-making when delegated to do so
• Translate high-level direction into actionable plans with clear owners, timelines, and success criteria

Events, Activations, and On-Site Operations

• Be present on-site during events, activations, grand opening, and peak operational periods to ensure cross-departmental execution is seamless
• Serve as a real-time problem solver on the venue floor — identifying and resolving operational issues as they arise
• Ensure the guest experience is protected at every touchpoint by keeping operations behind the scenes running smoothly
• Coordinate operational readiness across departments ahead of major events, promotions, and high-traffic periods

What You Bring

• 7+ years of progressive operations experience, with at least 3 years in a senior cross-functional or operational leadership role
• Demonstrated experience operating across multiple departments or business units simultaneously — not just managing one team
• Strong project management skills including the ability to track complex, multi-workstream initiatives and drive accountability without direct authority
• Experience in hospitality, entertainment, sports, or venue operations strongly preferred
• Proven ability to identify operational gaps and build practical systems and processes to close them
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills — can run a meeting, write a crisp recap, and brief a VP with equal ease
• Comfortable operating in a startup or pre-opening environment where structure is still being built
• High EQ — able to build trust quickly with department heads, navigate organizational dynamics, and lead through influence
• Proficiency in project management and operations tools (experience with scheduling, task tracking, and documentation platforms)
• Availability to work on-site during events, peak periods, and non-standard hours as operational needs require

Who You Are

The right person for this role knows how to execute. They don't need a detailed playbook or someone checking in every step of the way — they assess the situation, figure out what needs to happen, and make it happen. They turn chaos into clarity, ambiguity into action, and a pile of competing priorities into a moving operation.

They also know how to grease the wheels without making it obvious. They build genuine relationships across every level of the organization — not through politics or familiarity, but through consistency, follow-through, and a natural ability to make people feel supported. Warm but professional. Approachable but not a pushover. The person everyone trusts to get it done.

• A proven executor — moves fast, figures it out, and doesn't need to be told twice
• Turns chaos into clarity and ambiguity into action
• Self-directed — can take a goal and run with it without constant check-ins
• A natural connector — people trust you quickly and enjoy working with you
• Warm and approachable without crossing into overly familiar territory
• A systems thinker who sees gaps and inefficiencies before they become problems
• A communicator who can translate complexity into clarity for anyone in the organization
• Operationally sharp — you know what good execution looks like and you can tell when something is off
• Equally effective in a planning room and on a venue floor
• Someone who takes genuine pride in making other people's jobs easier
• Calm under pressure, organized without being rigid
• High integrity — trusted with sensitive information and complex organizational dynamics
• Energized by a launch environment and comfortable with fast-moving priorities

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt salaried position. The anticipated compensation range for this role is $100,000 – $120,000 annually. Actual compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, skills, and business needs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Surf privileges

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain on your feet and move throughout the venue and operational areas for extended periods
• Ability to work in a high-energy, fast-paced environment both indoors and outdoors
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds

Schedule Expectations

This is a full-time salaried position. This role is not a 9-to-5. Flexibility to work mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and events is required based on operational needs. The Director of Operations is expected to be present when the operation needs them — not just during standard business hours.

Why DSRT SURF

This is a rare opportunity to be at the center of one of the most ambitious hospitality launches in the desert region. You will have direct access to senior leadership, visibility across the entire organization, and the chance to shape how a world-class venue operates from day one. If you are energized by complexity, variety, and making things run better — this role was built for you.

Work Location

This is a fully on-site role in Palm Desert, California.

Equal Opportunity Employer

DSRT SURF is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

DSRT SURF provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Applicants requiring accommodation during the hiring process should notify the company.

At-Will Employment Statement

This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment. Employment with DSRT SURF is at will, which means either the employee or the company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law.