DIRECTOR OF SURF 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 fast-growing hospitality and lifestyle brand where surf culture, guest experience, and high performance come together in a unique way. We're looking for people who thrive in energetic environments, take pride in their work, and want to help build something special from the ground up.

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

What You'll Do

The Director of Surf Operations is one of the most critical and non-negotiable hires at DSRT SURF. This is not a role to grow into — it is a role for someone who has already built a career in water safety and surf operations and is ready to lead at the highest level. You will own the full spectrum of in-water operations, reporting directly to the VP/GM, and you will set the standard for everything that happens in and around our wave.

This is the kind of role most people in water safety and surf ops spend their careers working toward. If leading a world-class surf facility is your dream job — this is it.

Responsibilities include:

• Own and oversee all surf operations including wave management, surf instruction, water safety, and lifeguard programs
• Directly lead, manage, and elevate the Water Safety Manager, Surf Manager, Lifeguard Leads, Coaches, and supporting staff
• Establish, enforce, and continuously improve water safety protocols, emergency action plans, and operational procedures across all in-water disciplines
• Partner with StarGuard Elite to ensure all water safety standards, staff certifications, and training programs are implemented, current, and exceeded
• Lead and develop the Surf Coaching and Water Safety management teams, ensuring each department is performing at the highest level and continuously improving
• Ensure all surf equipment including boards, safety gear, and water assets are properly maintained, inventoried, and guest-ready at all times
• Oversee surf and wave bookings in coordination with Guest Experience to ensure smooth scheduling, capacity management, and a seamless guest journey
• Develop each functional area within Surf Ops — setting performance standards, training programs, and clear growth pathways for every role on the team
• Ensure all staff certifications, training requirements, and compliance obligations are current, documented, and upheld without exception
• Partner with HR on recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, and performance management for the Surf Ops team
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Guest Experience, Facilities, and F&B to deliver a seamless world-class operation
• Partner with Sales and Marketing departments to support events, group bookings, and the growth of DSRT SURF's surf programming — providing operational expertise, capacity guidance, and on-water execution
• Monitor, investigate, and respond to incident reports, near-misses, and safety concerns with urgency and accountability
• Serve as the subject matter expert and final decision-maker for all in-water operations
• Build and protect a high-performance, safety-first culture across the entire Surf Ops team
• Represent DSRT SURF at industry events and within the broader surf and water safety community

What You Bring

This role requires demonstrated, hands-on expertise across all areas of surf and water safety operations. Water safety experience is not preferred — it is required. If you do not have an extensive background in water safety management, this role is not the right fit.

• 7+ years of progressive, hands-on experience in surf operations, water safety management, or aquatic facility leadership — required
• Deep expertise across multiple Surf Ops disciplines including lifeguarding, water safety supervision, surf instruction, and wave operations — required
• StarGuard Elite certification or equivalent water safety certification required — experience working within the StarGuard Elite system strongly preferred
• Proven track record of building, managing, and developing high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams in a safety-critical environment
• Comprehensive knowledge of emergency action planning, incident response, and regulatory compliance in aquatic environments
• Experience overseeing surf equipment management, board inventory, and facility asset maintenance
• Familiarity with surf booking systems, wave scheduling, and capacity management
• Experience in wave pool, surf park, or artificial wave operations strongly preferred
• Strong operational and organizational leadership with the ability to manage multiple teams and competing priorities
• Experience in a hospitality or guest-facing environment is a plus

Who You Are

You have spent your career in the water. This isn't a stepping stone for you — this is exactly where you want to be. You've held every role on your team at some point, you've earned your credibility the hard way, and you bring that with you every single day. Safety is never negotiable for you. Neither is excellence.

• A proven water safety and surf operations expert — this is your life's work, not your next chapter
• A leader who develops others and builds teams that perform at the highest level
• Calm, decisive, and unshakeable under pressure — especially when it matters most
• Deeply passionate about surf culture, water safety, and the guest experience
• Detail-oriented and operationally sharp — you notice when a board is off, a booking is wrong, or a safety gap exists
• Collaborative across departments while maintaining clear ownership of your domain
• In it for the long haul — you want to build something great and see it through
• Stoke

Compensation
$100,000 -$125,000 annually. Compensation is competitive and based on experience, including base salary and total rewards package.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in and around water for extended periods
• Ability to perform water rescues and physical emergency response as needed
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout operational areas for extended periods
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions including desert heat
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment

Schedule Expectations
This is a full-time, on-site position. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and events is required based on operational needs. As a director-level role, your schedule will flex with the business.

Why DSRT SURF
This is an opportunity to help build something from the ground up where hospitality meets surf culture in a way that hasn't been done before. Our team is focused on creating an exceptional experience for both guests and employees while building a strong, energetic, and collaborative culture.

Equal Opportunity Employer
DSRT SURF is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We consider applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law.

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.

Work Location
This is a fully on-site role in Palm Desert. If you're looking for remote or hybrid, this isn't it.