Vice President, Operations - Airline Lounges

Position Overview

SodexoLive! is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and results-driven Vice President of Operations - Airline Lounges to lead, grow, and elevate a growing airport lounge portfolio across the U.S. This high-impact, multi-site leadership role requires a visionary leader with premium hospitality experience and international exposure. You will drive strategic growth, financial performance, and best-in-class service delivery while ensuring an unforgettable guest experience. This remote leadership role involves 50%–70% travel and requires candidates to reside near a major airport.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Business Growth: Develop and execute a growth strategy that expands market share and financial performance; lead change management initiatives to drive innovation and operational efficiency; identify and capitalize on business development opportunities; oversee a $60M+ portfolio of airport lounges ensuring strategic alignment.
• Client & Stakeholder Management: Act as the primary executive liaison for key clients; build influential relationships within client organizations; oversee contract negotiations, renewals, and strategic investments for long-term partnerships.
• Operational Excellence & Financial Performance/Optimization: Ensure premium service delivery and adherence to SodexoLive’s hospitality standards; maintain full P&L accountability; utilize data analytics and forecasting to optimize resource allocation and drive profitability; enforce regulatory compliance and operational protocols.
• High-Performance Leadership & Culture Building: Inspire and develop the management team; foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement; promote excellence and customer satisfaction.
• Leadership & Talent Development: Lead a high-performance team including the Senior National Client Executive (Associate Vice President); drive succession planning, talent development, and employee engagement; cultivate an inclusive and innovative work environment.
• Guest Experience & Service Innovation: Enhance customer experience standards; implement service enhancements and best practices to optimize guest satisfaction; conduct regular site visits to refine service delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 10 years of management experience.
• Minimum 10 years of multi-unit, support, or strategic leadership experience.
• Strategic Leadership & Decision-Making: Ability to drive business growth, operational success, and financial sustainability through executive-level strategy.
• Operational Excellence: Proven success in overseeing multi-site operations with a commitment to efficiency and service quality.
• Client & Stakeholder Management: Expertise in cultivating C-suite partnerships, managing complex stakeholder relationships, and driving contract retention and expansion.
• Financial Acumen & P&L Oversight: Demonstrated ability to manage full P&L, optimize revenue growth, and control costs.
• Talent Development & Leadership: Experience mentoring high-performing teams and fostering a culture of accountability and innovation.
• Risk Management & Compliance: Commitment to regulatory compliance and mitigating operational risks.
• Innovation & Business Transformation: Proven track record in driving process innovation and strategic initiatives.
• Vision & Growth: Strong ability to set strategic direction and enhance guest experiences while reinforcing competitive advantage.

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation: Fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on experience, skills, education, and training, and include an Annual Incentive Plan and Car Allowance.
• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs.
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions.
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays.
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement.