Director of Operations

Director of Operations

Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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DXB Perfume

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the launch and growth of a new café brand across the UK.
  • Company: Exciting start-up with national ambitions in the hospitality sector.
  • Benefits: Equity participation, profit share, and board-level governance.
  • Why this job: Be a founder-level leader and shape a nationally recognised café brand.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience managing multiple café sites and strong P&L ownership.
  • Other info: Ideal for entrepreneurial spirits seeking long-term value creation.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

We are launching a scalable café concept with national ambition and are seeking an experienced multi-site hospitality leader to build and lead the operational platform from day one. This is not a standard salaried Operations Director role. This is a founder-level opportunity to design, launch and scale a multi-site café brand across the UK, with meaningful equity and profit participation.

The Role

  • Building the operating engine of the business, including:
  • Designing the operational model and site-level structure
  • Developing robust unit economics and labour models
  • Menu engineering and supplier framework
  • Creating SOPs, training systems and compliance processes
  • Leading flagship launch
  • Recruiting and developing high-performing site managers
  • Building a scalable multi-site rollout playbook
  • Full P&L ownership and EBITDA delivery

You will report directly to the founder and operate within a clear governance framework.

The Ideal Candidate

  • A proven hospitality operator who has:
  • Managed 10+ sites within a branded café, QSR or fast-casual business
  • Strong multi-site P&L ownership experience
  • Opened new locations at scale
  • Delivered consistent EBITDA performance
  • Built operational systems, not just managed them
  • Led and developed high-performing teams

Background within recognised multi-site brands such as Pret A Manger, Costa Coffee, Starbucks, Gail's Bakery, Five Guys or similar environments would be highly relevant. An entrepreneurial mindset is essential.

The Structure

  • Meaningful equity participation (vesting structure)
  • Performance-based profit share from launch
  • Salary introduced upon agreed profitability milestones
  • Board-level governance and capital backing

This opportunity is suited to someone who wants ownership and long-term value creation, rather than a traditional employment role.

The Ambition

  • Year 1: Launch flagship site, establish strong unit economics, build replicable systems.
  • Years 2–3: Roll out multi-site portfolio and establish regional operating structure.
  • Long-term objective: Build a nationally recognised brand with scalable infrastructure.

Confidential Discussions

If you have multi-site experience and are ready to build something significant, please apply or send a direct message outlining:

  • Portfolio managed
  • Sites opened
  • EBITDA performance achieved
  • Why this opportunity aligns with your career goals

Director of Operations employer: DXB Perfume

Join a pioneering café concept that offers an exceptional opportunity for growth and innovation in the hospitality sector. As a Director of Operations, you will not only lead the operational strategy but also enjoy meaningful equity participation and profit sharing, fostering a culture of ownership and entrepreneurial spirit. With a focus on building a nationally recognised brand, this role provides a unique chance to shape the future of multi-site operations while working closely with the founder in a dynamic and supportive environment.
DXB Perfume

Contact Detail:

DXB Perfume Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Operations

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Get social! Use platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your experience and connect with industry leaders. Share your insights on multi-site operations and engage with posts related to café concepts to get noticed.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s vision and operational model. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to building their café brand and share examples of your past successes in similar roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team from day one.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations

Operational Model Design
Unit Economics Development
Labour Models Creation
Menu Engineering
Supplier Framework Development
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Training Systems Implementation
Compliance Processes Management
High-Performing Team Leadership
Multi-Site P&L Ownership
New Location Opening
EBITDA Performance Delivery
Operational Systems Building
Entrepreneurial Mindset

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the café industry shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you’re genuinely excited about building something amazing with us!

Be Specific About Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your multi-site management experience clearly. We’re interested in the nitty-gritty details like the number of sites you've managed and any impressive EBITDA performance you've achieved. Numbers speak volumes!

Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application. Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect how your skills align with our vision for this new café concept. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for this founder-level opportunity!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at DXB Perfume

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Director of Operations, you'll need to demonstrate your strong grasp of P&L management. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've driven EBITDA performance in previous roles. Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to manage unit economics effectively.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

This role requires building and leading high-performing teams. Think about your leadership philosophy and be prepared to share how you've developed site managers in the past. Highlight any training systems or compliance processes you've implemented that have led to team success.

✨Demonstrate Your Entrepreneurial Spirit

Since this is a founder-level opportunity, it's crucial to convey your entrepreneurial mindset. Share experiences where you've taken initiative to design operational models or launch new locations. Discuss how you approach challenges creatively and your vision for scaling a café brand.

✨Prepare for Strategic Questions

Expect questions about your approach to menu engineering and supplier frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you would create SOPs and a scalable rollout playbook. Think strategically about how you would establish a nationally recognised brand and be prepared to articulate your ideas clearly.

Director of Operations
DXB Perfume
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