Position : Director of Operations, Big Sky
Reports To : Natalie McDade, Sr. Director of Operations
Direct Reports : Big Sky Culinary Director, GM’s Tips Up, Block 3, Bucks, Event Sales Manager
Key Relationships : Apres Cru, Salaried Managers, Lone Mtn. Land Co.
Location : Big Sky, Montana
About the Position
The Director of Operations is the lynch pin between Operations in Big Sky and Apres Cru for
existing operations (Block 3, Tips Up) , openings (Bucks), and new partnerships. They are the
eyes, ears, and thought partners for Apres Cru to help build trust, deliver results and support
Operations by leveraging their expertise and the Apres Cru platform.
They are the operational coordinator for the onboarding and opening of new restaurants and
partnerships. They ensure free flow of information between businesses and key Apres Cru
Departments (Finance, Marketing, HR, Development, IT) to strategically help each business.
The systems they help implement and create are constantly refined, updated with the
learnings reinvested in existing operations and future opportunities. The ongoing monitoring
and analysis of sales trends and data is essential for a proactive response to identify
potential challenges as well as seizing on opportunities to maximize profitability.
They are critical in setting expectations and holding all stakeholders accountable in a
manner that is aligned with Apres Cru’s hospitality values. In addition to the technical and
tactical aspects of their day to day, they also are the culture carrier and ambassador
between Apres Cru and our Partners and the Industry at large.
This position will work tightly alongside the GM of Bucks for the 2025 winter season while we
ramp and build the team.
About Apres Cru
Apres Cru is a reimagined hospitality company based in NYC founded by seasoned industry
veterans that seek out exciting independent operators looking to expand beyond their four
walls. We value culture driven by hospitality, brand equity built on integrity, and a willingness
to look at operations and growth differently. We partner with each brand, providing both
capital and strategic support as they embark on future growth in restaurants, licensing
opportunities, partnerships, CPG, and other opportunities. Our growing portfolio currently
includes 10 restaurants (Petit Trois, Delphine, P.D.T., Crif Dogs, Mixteca, Pig & Khao, Peasant,
Forgione) with more in the pipeline.
New Business Onboarding and Restaurant Openings
- Lead the onboarding process for new Apres Cru partners and key leadership positions
- Create critical path, assign AOR’s and ensure deliverables and deadlines are met for a
seamless onboarding
Serve as the quarterback between Apres Cru and businesses, creating and managingcritical paths, keeping stakeholders apprised of progress and roadblocks
Create, organize, and archive workflow for efficient access by all stakeholdersIdentify opportunities for efficiencies and value add from an operations and businessstandpoint
Serve as a hands on strategic operational partner for managing partners andoperators
Identifying / clarifying and leveraging roles and responsibilities of the existing team;identifying areas of additional support that is needed
Audit existing systems to find synergies and economies of scales and best practicesacross all Apres Cru Brands.
Build trust with businesses while also establishing accountabilityServe as a liaison for external auditors and contractorsCreate a hand off plan to restaurant level operations for sustainable transitionLiaise between operations and development for seamless handover to operationsUnderstanding of existing culture and channels of communication (tone, frequency,audience, effectiveness)
Help evaluate, negotiate, onboard and manage new vendor contracts.Project manage construction, R&M, technology implementation, onboardings andintegrations.
Operational Systems
Actively involved in service to instill hospitality focus, coach teamsContinually evaluate and improve upon existing systems and ensure they areaccurate, up to date, and being utilized to the fullest
Assess strategize solutions for hospitality, delivery, labor MGMT, recipe costing, training,reservations,leadership development, POS, and CRM
Ensure DOH, SLA and HR compliance protocols are in place, effective, and adhered toEvaluate menu optimization through p-mix, ingredients, labor, and profitabilityCreate standardize and audit “Black Box” for each restaurantLeverage technology and integrations for added transparency and efficienciesCreate and implement manager onboarding to familiarize new managers of systemsWork with operators to create clear AOR’s for each managerEnsure hospitality, culture, financial acumen are front of mind for all managersLead the implementation of systems at the restaurant level and transition tooperations
Provide foundational support for training manuals, onboarding, operational systems,Work closely with management teams in highlighting opportunities and creatingactionable steps and timelines.
Apres Cru
Forensic analysis of P&L to identify best practices and prioritize short / long term areasof opportunity
Work with Finance / Accounting and Tech Partners to leverage integrations, reporting toaid operations
Help model and explore various solutions through a myriad of lenses and presentactionable suggestions and rollout plans
Align with HR to ensure HR systems are adhered to and help fortify cultureG / L deep dive and creation of future projections and cash flow implicationsAudit of existing reports and creation of supplemental reports to provide operatorswith a daily, weekly, monthly pulse on their business
Support in the entity formation, documentation, and foundational work for newbusinesses as needed
Serve as key point of contact between operations, Apres Cru and Managing PartnersAdditional Skills and Responsibilities
Ability to adapt, change, and evolveCulturally aware with high EQAbility to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environmentExcellent teacher, listener, and communicatorCreate structure and systems where it does not currently existSelf-driven, results-oriented, and a passion for excellenceAbility to harvest data and analytics and apply it to system implementation thatreceives buy in by adding operational value
Has lots of fun at work but is not afraid of putting in longer hours when requiredServe as ambassador for Apres Cru, building trust, strengthening relationships, andadding value to partnerships
Possess excellent strategic planning skills, with an emphasis on delivering, executingand assessing action plans
Proactively communicates to managing partnersExcellent time management, organizational, strategic thinker and multi-taskerAnalytical and organizational skills, as well the ability to define and effectively solveand deal with a variety of changing situations
Ability to effectively provide clear feedback to a variety of stakeholdersCreative problem solving skillsPassion for exceptional hospitality, food, and beveragesAbility to multitask and exhibit grace under pressureThrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environmentExperience / Education
Breadth of experience in restaurant operations (FOH / BOH) in a variety of settings andservice styles
Solid understanding of menu creation, ingredient sourcing, inventory management,COGS analysis, labor management, development of systems and procedures
Firm grasp of restaurant financial models, budgeting, expense management and P&Lanalysis
Equipped with extensive experience in sales, operations, and financial performancefrom a customer-focused, operationally excellent restaurant
Proficient in a variety of technology systems, especially Microsoft Office (Word, Excel,Outlook, PowerPoint) and Google Suite of Products (Google Drive / Docs), and
restaurant specific software (such as Foodager, Bevager, Margin Edge, or similar)