Director of Operations

Director of Hotel Operations

Restaurant + Hotel

Reports to: General Manager, Position is Exempt

WHO YOU ARE

You are a hospitality leader whose story starts in food and beverage-someone who learned early on that the heartbeat of a great hotel often begins in its kitchen and carries through every guest experience. You know how a well-timed greeting can feel like good service, but how a perfectly executed plate can feel like love. You understand that dining, design, and detail are all part of the same conversation-and that every sensory touchpoint matters.

You've built your career from the ground up, mastering both the art of service and the discipline of operations. You can walk the restaurant floor and feel its rhythm, collaborate with an Executive Chef on a menu that tells a story, then turn around and lead a meeting on labor targets, guest satisfaction, or preventive maintenance. You know how to balance creativity with consistency, intuition with analytics, and hospitality with profitability.

Your leadership style is grounded in humility and presence. You work shoulder to shoulder with your team-mentoring, coaching, and sometimes running food or greeting guests yourself-because you believe the best leaders lead from within, not above. You're equally at home in the dining room, the front desk, or a back-of-house hallway, because to you, every corner of the hotel contributes to the guest experience.

You're drawn to spaces that blur the line between neighborhood gathering place and refined destination-places that feel both local and elevated, where hospitality is heartfelt and every detail feels intentional. For you, success is not just measured in revenue or check averages-it's in the feeling guests take with them when they leave, and the pride your team feels in creating it.

At Surety Hotel, you'll bring that same blend of heart, precision, and operational grit to every department-from guest services and housekeeping to engineering and food & beverage. You'll be the connective thread between vision and execution, ensuring that every moment, every plate, and every stay reflects the unapologetic spirit of Des Moines and the thoughtful craftsmanship that defines Aparium.

THE ROLE

The Director of Operations is the operational heartbeat of Surety Hotel, partnering closely with the General Manager to oversee the rhythm, performance, and soul of the property. This role ensures every department-from guest services and housekeeping to engineering and food & beverage-operates in sync, creating experiences that are seamless, intentional, and unmistakably Des Moines.

Rooted in a strong food and beverage background, this leader brings an innate understanding of how a great meal, a genuine conversation, or a perfectly timed gesture can define a guest's stay. You'll collaborate closely with the Executive Chef to elevate culinary and service excellence across the hotel's restaurant, bar, and event spaces, ensuring that what happens at the table complements what happens throughout the guest journey.

This is a role for someone who thrives equally on the floor and in the boardroom-someone who can interpret a P&L in the morning, jump behind the host stand or service line in the afternoon, and inspire their team at lineup that evening. You'll provide both strategic direction and hands-on support to department heads in F&B, Front Office, Housekeeping, Engineering, and Events, aligning performance with Aparium's values of authenticity, craft, and connection.

At Aparium, leaders work side by side with their teams-coaching, supporting, and holding one another accountable to high standards and shared
success. You'll cultivate trust and collaboration across departments, building a culture where creativity and ownership thrive, and where every associate feels part of something meaningful.

You'll also serve as a key member of the Executive Committee, working closely with the General Manager and Aparium's home office team to drive operational strategy, financial performance, and long-term growth. Above all, you'll protect and elevate the guest experience-ensuring every stay, every plate, and every interaction reflects the hotel's purpose, the city's spirit, and the Aparium way of thoughtful, unscripted hospitality.

HOW YOU WILL LEAD

You lead from the floor, not the corner office. You're the kind of leader who grabs an apron when service gets busy, joins a property walk with your engineering lead, and never misses a chance to thank a housekeeper by name. You understand that real hospitality starts with presence-and you show up for your team in ways that matter.

You listen first and act with intention. You build trust through transparency, setting clear expectations while giving your team the freedom to make decisions that delight guests. You see feedback as a form of care, and you deliver it with the same thoughtfulness you expect your team to extend to guests.

You believe collaboration is the secret ingredient to great operations. You work shoulder to shoulder with the Executive Chef, ensuring that what's plated in the restaurant aligns with what's promised in the guestroom: a consistent, soulful expression of the brand. You empower your department heads to lead with confidence, aligning their efforts around shared goals that drive both experience and profitability.

You stay grounded in the details but never lose sight of the big picture. You know the data, you read the numbers, and you connect them to the human side of the business-recognizing that strong financial results are the byproduct of inspired teams and genuine guest connections.

You bring out the best in people. Through mentorship, honest communication, and everyday example, you shape a culture that's inclusive, curious, and full of heart. You set a tone that's calm under pressure, gracious in challenge, and proud of what's created together.

At Surety Hotel, you'll lead with the confidence of experience and the humility of service-championing a workplace that feels like family, a hotel that feels like home, and a team that lives the Aparium belief that the best hospitality is personal, purposeful, and deeply human.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Oversee the daily rhythm of Surety Hotel, ensuring every department-from guest services and housekeeping to engineering and food & beverage-operates with precision, pride, and purpose.
• Partner closely with the General Manager to craft and execute operational strategies that balance guest satisfaction, team engagement, and financial performance.
• Lead and mentor department heads across Food & Beverage, Front Office, Housekeeping, Engineering, and Events, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and creativity.
• Work side by side with the Executive Chef to elevate culinary and beverage programming, ensuring every outlet reflects the hotel's soul and Surety's unique sense of place.
• Champion excellence in service by being a visible presence across the property-joining pre-shifts, walking the floor, engaging guests, and supporting your team wherever needed.
• Ensure operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility through careful management of labor, costs, and budgets, driving profitability without compromising quality or culture.
• Collaborate with the Sales & Events teams to deliver seamless group, catering, and banquet experiences that feel personal, polished, and true to Aparium's approach to hospitality.
• Partner with People + Culture to attract, train, and retain exceptional talent, building a team that embodies curiosity, pride, and authentic hospitality.
• Uphold the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and facility care, ensuring every space-from guestroom to restaurant to rooftop-reflects the attention and integrity of the brand.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as guest satisfaction, profitability, and employee engagement, using data to inform decisions and storytelling to inspire results.
• Foster open communication across all levels of the operation, ensuring your team feels heard, supported, and connected to the hotel's mission.
• Contribute as a core member of the Executive Committee, helping to shape strategic direction, strengthen culture, and drive continued innovation within the property and the Aparium portfolio.
• Protect and evolve the guest experience-championing thoughtful, unscripted service that feels uniquely personal, inherently local, and unmistakably Aparium.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• A foundation built in food & beverage operations, with a deep understanding of how culinary and service experiences shape a guest's connection to place.
• Proven success leading multi-outlet operations in hotels or independent restaurants, with at least five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in lifestyle, boutique, or design-forward hospitality.
• A natural ability to balance strategy and execution-comfortable leading an executive meeting in the morning, then walking the dining room or greeting guests in the evening.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets, P&Ls, and cost controls while keeping people and experience at the center of every decision.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; you inspire trust, invite collaboration, and know how to lead with both empathy and accountability.
• A track record of developing teams through mentorship, recognition, and honest feedback-helping people grow into their full potential.
• A genuine appreciation for Des Moines-its culture, creativity, and resilience-and a passion for creating experiences that honor its spirit.
• Comfort with the dynamic nature of hospitality: weekends, holidays, and the occasional long day that comes with leading a property that's always alive.
• A humble confidence and curiosity that drives you to keep learning, keep improving, and keep showing up for your team and your guests.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Aparium Hospitality Services celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment, and a sense of belonging for all associates. We do not discriminate and believe every individual should be proud of who they are, and where they come from and take pride in who we serve. Aparium is an E-Verify employer.

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