Director of Operations

About Museum of Illusions

Museum of Illusions is the world's largest and fastest-growing museum chain, with over 60 locations. We have welcomed over 20 million visitors worldwide since 2015. Museum of Illusions is a visual, sensory, and educational experience designed to engage your sense of wonder and shift your perspective through the science behind optical illusions. We value play, exploration, and creativity, and we are rapidly growing. Join us in our mission to inspire wonder and joy through illusions!

Candidate Profile and Summary

The Corporate Director of Operations provides strategic and operational leadership, ensuring exceptional guest experiences, operational excellence, and profitable performance across all corporate Museum of Illusions U.S. locations. This position drives profitability through operational analytics, disciplined financial management, and labor efficiency, while ensuring each site upholds brand, safety and compliance standards while delivering exceptional visitor experiences. The Director partners closely with General Managers, corporate departments, and reports to the Senior Vice President of Operations to develop and execute operational strategies that support growth and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

  Operational Leadership & Oversight

• Supports day-to-day operational performance across all museum locations, ensuring consistency and operational excellence.

• Provide direct operational guidance to General Managers through a dotted line reporting relationship, including performance feedback, coaching, and alignment with company objectives.
• Coach and train General Managers and their teams to maximize operational effectiveness and guest satisfaction.
• Conduct site visits to assess performance, address challenges, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Oversee and ensure the successful creation, development, execution, and long-term sustainability of operational processes.
• Take ownership of special projects as assigned, ensuring timely and successful delivery.
• Assist with the operational planning and execution of new museum openings.
• Evaluate and manage our Secret Shopper Program.

  Financial & Analytical Management

• Manage and monitor profit and loss (P&L) statements for each location, ensuring expense targets are achieved.
• Utilize operational analytics to identify trends, measure performance, and make data-driven decisions that improve profitability.
• Develop, implement, and refine labor models to ensure staffing efficiency without compromising guest experience.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and operational efficiencies across the portfolio.

Maintenance & Safety

• Oversee venue maintenance programs, including preventive maintenance schedules, to ensure facilities remain safe, functional, and on brand.
• Partner with site leadership to proactively address facility issues and ensure compliance with all safety, accessibility, and regulatory requirements.

Team Development

• Serve as a mentor and leader to General Managers, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Operations Management, or related field (MBA a plus).
• 8+ years of multi-site operational leadership experience, preferably in hotels, attractions, or experiential venues.
• Proven expertise in operational analytics and data-driven decision making.
• Strong background in P&L management and financial reporting.
• Demonstrated success in labor management and labor model optimization.
• Experience in designing and executing operational processes that deliver measurable results.
• Knowledge and oversight of venue maintenance and preventive maintenance programs.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Ability to travel to museum locations as needed, sometimes on short notice.

Key Competencies

• Analytical Thinking: Skilled at interpreting data to drive operational and financial improvements.
• Leadership: Builds trust, inspires teams, and develops leaders.
• Collaboration: Works effectively across departments and functions.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving business environment.
• Operational Excellence: Constantly pursues improvements in efficiency, guest satisfaction, and brand consistency.

Perks and Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance, Flexible Spending and Commuter Benefit Accounts!
• 401k Retirement Plan with immediate company match!
• Generous paid time off!
• Employee discounts at our museums!

Physical Requirements/Demands

• Must be able to use hands and fingers to type on a keyboard, use a laptop and other office equipment.
• Must be able to ascend/descend flights of stairs.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, kneel, crawl, crouch, and squat.
• Must be able to properly express oneself, exchange information, communicate and converse with diverse cultures, races, and sexes.
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs.
• Must be able to work both indoors and outdoors.
• Must be able to use sight to detect, determine, perceive, observe, inspect, and assess situations.

Company Statement: Museum of Illusions provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.