Director of Restaurant Operations, Village Lodge

## Description Sugar Bowl Resort is creating one of the most ambitious food and beverage programs in North American mountain hospitality - guided by Culinary Director Traci Des Jardins, and supported by a significant investment in dining, hospitality, and village infrastructure. We're reimagining what mountain hospitality can be: warm, vibrant, hospitality-driven, operationally disciplined, and genuinely memorable. We're seeking an exceptional Director of Restaurant Operations to serve as the operational leader of the Village Lodge and the primary business partner to the Culinary Director. In this role, you turn hospitality vision into daily reality - building the service culture, beverage programs, leadership standards, and training systems that define how every guest experiences the Village Lodge. This is not a maintenance role. It is an opportunity to build - to help shape one of North America's most respected mountain dining programs, while living and working in one of California's most iconic alpine communities. **Why Sugar Bowl?** Sugar Bowl Resort has been proudly independent for over 80 years and is one of the oldest ski resorts in California. Situated atop beautiful Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl has a storied past with ties to Austrian ski culture, Hollywood and Walt Disney. This special community helped bring skiing to “sunny California” since December 1939. Since then, it continues to attract adventurous winter sports enthusiasts alike. **Your Mission** As Director of Restaurant Operations, you are the steward of the Village Lodge guest experience. You ensure that every aspect of service, hospitality, beverage programming, and daily operations reflects the standards set by the Culinary Director. Through leadership, accountability, training, and operational excellence, you'll create an environment where guests feel welcomed, teams feel supported, and hospitality excellence becomes the standard. Success in this role is measured by more than financial performance — it's measured by guest loyalty, employee engagement, operational consistency, and the vibrant culture you help build throughout the Village Lodge. **Your Domain: Five Experiences, One Hospitality Culture** **Yarrow** Refined alpine dining featuring thoughtful, ingredient-driven menus and polished hospitality. **Village Espresso** The village's morning gathering place for coffee, breakfast, and daily connection. **The Terrace** The outdoor centerpiece of Village Lodge hospitality, featuring QR ordering, lunch service, lively après offerings, firepits, and panoramic mountain views. **Belt Room Bar** A high-energy village hub featuring classic cocktails and carefully crafted bar food. **Disney Sundeck** The on-mountain gathering place for Villagers to enjoy a light lunch, espresso, a quick beer, or a chance to unwind in the middle of the ski day. **Who You Are:** · A hospitality leader who believes great service is as important as great food. · A builder of teams, culture, and operational systems. · Passionate about creating memorable guest experiences and vibrant hospitality environments. · Equally comfortable walking the floor, mentoring managers, reviewing financial performance, and solving operational challenges. · Skilled at balancing hospitality, profitability, and operational discipline. · A visible leader who leads through presence, accountability, and example. · Excited by the opportunity to help build something exceptional alongside Culinary Director Traci Des Jardins. **Qualifications:** · 8+ years of progressive hospitality leadership experience. · Multi-unit restaurant, resort, hotel, private club, or hospitality group experience preferred. · Proven ability to lead large, guest-facing teams. · Strong understanding of labor management, beverage cost control, budgeting, and operational systems. · Experience building hospitality cultures and training programs. · Knowledge of California labor law, responsible beverage service, and food safety regulations.…