Assistant Director of Airport Restaurant Operations

Our Story

At Baldi Management Group, we believe in creating exceptional hospitality experiences for travelers. Operating award-winning restaurant concepts in some of the nation's busiest airports, our success is driven by great people and operational excellence.

Our mission is simple:
We Do the Right Thing - for our team members, our guests and ultimately our business. We are looking for leaders who share that philosophy and are passionate about developing teams, driving results, and creating memorable experiences.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Operations (ADOO) serves as a key member of the airport leadership team and reports directly to the Director of Operations.

The ADOO is responsible for leading a successful operational opening and continued operational leadership across 4 quick service concepts within George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

This role is highly visible and requires a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced airport environment where every guest interaction matters, and every flight schedule creates unique operational demands. We would prefer a leader with previous airport leadership experience but will consider someone with similar experience.

We are looking for someone with a “can-do” attitude to every challenge, remaining flexible, resourceful and willing to roll up their sleeves to support the team and committed to a successful opening and amazing future career with us.

Why Join Baldi Management Group?

• Competitive base salary
• Performance-based bonus opportunity
• Yearly Performance Review
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Holiday Pay
• Airport Parking
• Life + AD+D Insurance
• Paid Time Off + Sick Leave
• Leadership development opportunities
• Opportunity to help build and shape our Houston operations from the ground up

Base Salary: $95,000–$105,000
Our Leaders are eligible to participate in the Company's incentive bonus program with a target annual bonus opportunity of 17.5% of annual base salary. Bonus payments are calculated and paid on a quarterly basis, with each quarter representing a percentage of annual base salary, subject to achievement of established performance objectives.

What You'll Do

Opening Leadership

• Act as the primary on-site operational contact during pre-opening, opening, and post-opening activities.
• Execute pre-opening plans, timelines, and operational readiness checklists to ensure successful openings.
• Partners with construction teams, airport stakeholders, vendors, and contractors to support project completion and operational readiness.
• Receive, inspect, organize, and track all equipment, inventory, smallwares, and supply deliveries for multiple locations.
• Coordinate restaurant setup activities, including kitchen equipment, technology, storage areas, signage, and operational systems.
• Support hiring, onboarding, training, and airport badging processes to ensure teams are prepared for opening day.
• Identify and resolve operational challenges quickly while maintaining communication with leadership on project progress and risks.
• Ensure all locations meet company standards, safety requirements, airport regulations, and guest experience expectations prior to opening.
• Participate and certify in all Brand partnership training.

Operational Leadership

• Support and oversee daily operations across multiple restaurant locations
• Partner with General Managers and leadership to achieve sales, profitability, and guest satisfaction goals
• Ensure all restaurants consistently execute company standards and brand requirements
• Champion hospitality and service excellence
• Manager all maintenance and repairs for all locations
• Maintain readiness for airport, health department, and brand inspections
• Drive operational consistency and accountability across all locations
• Lead by example through visible floor presence and coaching

Financial Management

• Manage labor, productivity, and controllable expenses

· Lead and participate in monthly in-person business reviews for each location with the Director of Operations & CEO

• Drive sales growth initiatives and operational efficiencies
• Ensure achievement of budgeted revenue, labor and profitability targets
• Monitor food cost, waste, inventory controls
• Manage cash handling procedures, banking and deposits

People Leadership

• Coach, mentor, and develop all managers and team members
• Partner with HR in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and succession planning
• Conduct performance reviews, and development of internal candidates for future leadership opportunities
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and recognition
• Partner with Human Resources on team member relations matters

Relationships + Compliance

• Building & maintaining positive brand relationships is key – you will be representing BMG and managing those relationships on the ground
• Ensure compliance with all airport security requirements
• Maintain airport badging compliance for all team members
• Manage team member parking benefit
• Partner with airport authorities and security personnel
• Ensure compliance with BMG safety programs and food safety standards
• Support OSHA, health department, and airport operational requirements
• Maintain emergency readiness and operational continuity
• Support successful growth and expansion initiatives within the Houston market

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of multi-unit restaurant leadership experience
• Experience managing multiple restaurant locations simultaneously
• Strong understanding of restaurant financials and P&L management
• Experience leading high-volume operations
• Ability to obtain and maintain all airport security badges and clearances
• Ability to maintain compliance with all local, state and federal laws, brand and airport regulations.
• Ability to supervise, train and motivate multiple levels of team members. Ability to consistently and fairly evaluate other team members performance.
• Experience with Toast, 7Shifts, Paycom, or similar systems
• Extensive knowledge of revenue management including cash handling,
• Ability to work flexible schedules including weekends, holidays, and peak travel periods

Preferred

• Airport restaurant experience
• Experience managing $10M+ annual revenue operations
• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, Business, or related field
• ServSafe Manager Certification (will be required before opening)

Abilities & Working Conditions

• - This position will spend 100% of the time standing or walking
• Must be able to stand and exert well-paced mobility for up to 8 hours in length.
• Must be able to exert well-paced ability to maneuver between functions occurring simultaneously.
• Must be able to lift 15 lbs.- 30lbs on a regular and continuing basis.
• Experience with computers, POS systems, Microsoft 365, and technology
• Requires grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending, climbing, listening and hearing ability and visual acuity
• Talking and hearing occur continuously in the process of communicating with guests and team members.
• Requires manual dexterity to use and operate all necessary equipment.
• Required to work nights, holidays and weekends.

At Baldi Management Group, we are building more than restaurants—we are building teams, careers, and memorable guest experiences. If you are a hands-on leader who enjoys solving problems, supporting others, and making an impact, we encourage you to apply.

Baldi Management Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and team members and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.

Applicants with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process should contact BMG Human Resources (hr@baldimanagement.com) for assistance.

Pay: $95,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person