Overview
We are seeking to hire a dynamic and strategic Area Director of Operations to lead multiple restaurant locations within our organization. The Area Director will oversee
multiple Swahili Village locations,
maintaining operational excellence, financial performance, and alignment with company culture and values. They act as the primary liaison between the corporate office and the restaurants, fostering clear communication, supporting company initiatives, and executing strategic priorities seamlessly. This role focuses on developing General Managers (GMs) while driving growth, guest experience, and team engagement.
Core Areas of Responsibility :
- Guest Experience & Brand Standards
- Operational Excellence
- Leadership & Team Development
- Financial Performance & Business Growth
- Communication & Collaboration
- Community & Culture
Direct Reports :
General Managers of 3 RestaurantsReports to :
Owner / CorporatePrerequisite Skills
Minimum 3 years experience as a Director or Vice PresidentExperience in multi-unit operations. Minimum 3 storesAbility to deal with significant operational and procedural challenges within an organizationChampion of change management, aggressively seeking out opportunities to improve business and team performance, with a history of effective execution of initiativesStrong Understanding of P&L and the impact of operations on financial performanceWorks in an organized and process-driven manner embracing complexity and structureAble to work in groups and as an individualAbility to recognize opportunities and drive solutions to organizational issues, both at the store level as well as above-store levelProven excellence in effective communicationHistory of developing others into leaders and brand ambassadorsWillingness to immerse themselves in learning about Kenyan and East African cultureResponsibilities
Guest Experience & Brand Standards
Champion the Swahili Village mission and brand at all timeGather and analyze guest and team feedback to drive continuous improvementUphold brand identity and ensure alignment with our Core Values and drive performance against key business metricsOperational Excellence :
Drive consistency in food quality, service standards, and overall guest experience across all locationsDevelop, implement, and uphold best practices and standard operating procedures across locations to maximize efficiency and executionEnsure compliance with health, safety, and labor regulations per state / national standardsPartner with the Marketing and Culinary teams to maintain product integrity and innovationTriage when necessary to ensure optimal restaurant performanceLeadership & Team Development :
Provide guidance, mentorship, training, and accountability for GMs and their leadership teamsFoster a culture of hospitality, teamwork, and professional growth, utilizing Swahili Village training collateral and assetsSupport hiring, training, and talent development to maintain a high-performing teamEnsure strong communication and collaboration between locations and leadershipFinancial Performance & Business Growth
Own financial results across multiple locations, including sales, COGS, labor, and operating incomeWork with GMs to achieve budgetary and key business driver goalsIdentify revenue growth opportunities and cost-control strategies without compromising quality or cultureSupport expansion efforts, new location openings, and strategic initiativesCommunication & Collaboration
Serve as the primary link between ownership, leadership, and store-level teamsMaintain clear and consistent communication with GMs, providing regular feedback and supportCollaborate with cross-functional teams (culinary, marketing, HR, etc.) to align on company objectivesCommunity & Culture
Act as a cultural ambassador, ensuring that Swahili Village's Mission and Core Values remain at the heart of daily operationsDrive engagement initiatives that support team morale and retentionDeliverables
Daily :
Review Daily Flash ReportCall each unit to check in and verify staffing, product, and equipment needs are met, and the store is on track for a smooth opening. Confirm any catering or large format orders, and verify the team is focused on the top 3 from previous audits.Weekly :
Perform 1x operations audit and tie out with the GMAudit each restaurant's weekly performance and review in a timely manner with that GMAuditInventoriesKBDs against revenue, prime cost, and operating margin targets, focusing on cost control measures for labor, food costs, and operating expensesSchedules for the upcoming 2 weeksManager meetingsChecklist completion percentagesTraining initiatives and personal developmentTeam disciplinary formsLine ChecksLabor AvS & OTDiscounts, Voids, and CompsPrepare all weekly restaurant information to present in the weekly meeting with the VP of OperationsReview / Approve any PTO or raise requestsPeriod :
Meet with GMs to roll out period reporting, wins, and opportunitiesCompile wins and outstanding team member recommendationsVerify accuracy of information (Pay rates, titles, etc) for the team across all platforms, looping in HR where neededQuarterly :
Perform quarterly reviewsProvide HR with quarterly bonus informationReview and update any Par and Prep sheets as necessaryRoll any vendor reporting up to VP of Operations or ownershipAttend quarterly leadership meeting and present performance, along with wins and any resource requests for your restaurantsVerify completion of all reviews and 1-on-1's at each restaurantsAnnual :
Conduct annual GM reviews, providing HR with performance results along with raise requestsPay Level
Compensation Range : $140,000 to $190,000 / year base payBonus Allocation Range : 15-30% of base salary with quarterly and annual targetsBenefit Package : The company provides comprehensive health benefits to full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Coverage includes the employee and may extend to eligible dependents, with premiums paid in part or in full by the company. Details of coverage, waiting periods, and carrier options will be outlined in the company's benefits policy.In lieu of direct enrollment in the company's group health plan, the employee will receive a monthly health benefit allowance equivalent to the employer's contribution toward a manager-level health insurance plan. This allowance is intended to offset the cost of private or marketplace health insurance and will be included as a taxable benefit in the employee's compensation package.Annual safari trip to Kenya. Commensurate with achieving performance goals, an annual trip to Kenya to learn more about the culture and the people and enjoy all of the incredible natural beauty the country has to offer.Compensation Review : Conducted annually in the end-of-year performance review to address merit or cost-of-living adjustments to base compensation and bonus %. Annual targets / ranges for merit and cost of living adjustments to base compensation are found in the Wages & Salary Ranges guide.