Director of Operations - Multi-Unit Entertainment

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Operations – Multi-Unit Entertainment

Escapology | Raleigh, Charlotte & Fayetteville, NC
$105,000–$125,000 base + performance bonus
Full-Time | Hybrid / Multi-Location

Escapology is a growing multi-unit entertainment business operating premium escape room locations across North Carolina. We are looking for an experienced Director of Operations to take ownership of day-to-day execution across our Raleigh, Charlotte, and Fayetteville locations.

This is not a traditional Area Manager position.

We are looking for a strong operator who can lead leaders, improve systems, hold people accountable, and turn the owner's vision into consistent execution. The right person will step into an existing operating framework, identify what works, improve what does not, and build a stronger organization around it.

Our goal is simple: the business should run exceptionally well without the owner being involved in daily operations.

What You Will Own

You will directly lead the General Managers of all three Escapology locations as well as our Group Sales Manager.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Own operational execution across all three locations
• Lead, coach, and hold General Managers accountable for results
• Drive store-level profitability, labor management, and controllable expenses
• Maintain and improve company Scorecards, Rocks, Level 10 Meetings, and accountability rhythms
• Identify operational problems, get to the root cause, and implement permanent solutions
• Improve and simplify systems, SOPs, reporting, and management processes
• Ensure managers are scheduling, training, counseling, and developing their teams effectively
• Create consistency between locations while allowing managers to lead their businesses
• Review key financial and operational metrics and take corrective action when performance is off track
• Partner with ownership on annual and quarterly priorities
• Lead performance management and make hiring, disciplinary, and termination recommendations
• Ensure the Group Sales function works effectively with each location
• Continually reduce the need for owner involvement in routine operational decisions

What Success Looks Like

Within this role, success means:

• General Managers clearly understand what they own and are accountable for results
• Locations consistently hit labor, profitability, and operating targets
• Scorecards identify problems before they become major issues
• Rocks and major initiatives are completed on time
• Leadership meetings result in decisions and execution—not repeated discussion
• Recurring operational problems are solved at the root cause
• Systems become simpler and stronger over time
• The owner is no longer the default person solving day-to-day operating problems

Who We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate has significant experience leading multiple locations and multiple managers in hospitality, entertainment, restaurants, retail, or another high-volume service business.

You should have demonstrated experience with:

• Multi-unit operational leadership
• Managing and developing General Managers or equivalent leaders
• P&L responsibility and labor management
• Building accountability across a management team
• Creating and improving operating systems
• Using KPIs and scorecards to manage performance
• Handling difficult personnel and performance issues
• Prioritizing competing operational problems
• Turning strategy into measurable execution

Experience with EOS / Entrepreneurial Operating System is strongly preferred. Experience as an EOS Integrator, COO, Director of Operations, Regional Manager, or similar operating leadership position is especially valuable.

You do not need to come from the escape room industry.

We care more about your ability to lead people, build systems, solve problems, and execute consistently.

The Person Who Will Thrive Here

You are likely a strong fit if you:

• Naturally create clarity out of operational complexity
• Hold people accountable without needing to micromanage them
• Are comfortable making decisions and owning the outcome
• Can challenge the owner when necessary while still executing the agreed-upon vision
• Prefer solving the underlying problem instead of repeatedly fighting the same fire
• Know when a process needs improvement—and when people simply need to follow the process
• Can move between financial results, people issues, and operational details without losing sight of priorities
• Are comfortable inheriting systems that are not perfect and improving them as you operate

We are specifically not looking for someone who needs every process fully built before they can lead.

Schedule & Travel

This is primarily a Monday–Friday leadership position with flexibility for periodic evening or weekend store visits.

The position will operate on a hybrid basis and will require regular travel between our Raleigh, Charlotte, and Fayetteville locations.

You are not expected to routinely work nights and weekends, but as the senior operating leader, you should be available when significant operational issues require escalation.

Compensation

Base Salary: $105,000–$125,000, depending on experience

Performance Bonus: Annual performance bonus based on company and operational results.

Performance objectives may include:

• Profitability and budget performance
• Labor management
• General Manager performance
• Execution of company priorities
• Operational consistency
• Continued reduction in owner dependence

Why Escapology

This is an opportunity to step into an established, growing business with significant autonomy.

The foundation is already in place. We are not hiring someone to simply maintain it.

We want an experienced operator who can take what exists, make it better, develop the leadership team, and build the operating organization required for the next stage of growth.

If you have successfully led managers, improved multi-unit operations, and enjoy turning entrepreneurial businesses into disciplined, scalable organizations, we want to talk with you.

\nCompany Description

Escapology is a premium escape-room entertainment company offering immersive, story-driven adventures for families, friends, corporate teams, and private groups. Guests work together to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and complete their mission before time runs out.

Company Description

Escapology is a premium escape-room entertainment company offering immersive, story-driven adventures for families, friends, corporate teams, and private groups. Guests work together to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and complete their mission before time runs out.