Sr. Director of Ops Services

About the Role

At Sweetgreen, we’re on a mission to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food. We believe that real food should be convenient and accessible to everyone — and that we have a responsibility to leave people, communities, and the planet better than we found them. We also know that great experiences start with our people — when our teams feel supported, empowered, and set up for success. The Senior Director of Operations Services will play a transformational role in shaping the future of how Sweetgreen operates. This leader will drive strategic evolution across field operations — from how we plan and deploy our workforce, to how we test and scale new models and menus, to how we communicate change effectively throughout the organization.

This role is the connective tissue between our operational vision and daily execution. It requires deep operational acumen, program management, and the ability to mobilize cross-functional teams towards a shared vision. You will ensure that every restaurant, team member, and leader has the tools, clarity, and systems needed to succeed. 

As a leader in this role, you’re a builder and a bridge. You think in systems but lead with empathy — balancing operational rigor with a deep understanding of the human side of change. You bring clarity to ambiguity, inspire momentum where there’s complexity, and model the mindset of transformation: curious, disciplined, and always learning.

Key Responsibilities

Drive Operational Transformation: Lead cross-functional efforts that reimagine how Sweetgreen operates — improving simplicity, efficiency, and consistency across every restaurant. Translate strategy into systems, programs, and behaviors that elevate the field experience.

Program Management & Execution Excellence: Build and lead a world-class operations services function that ensures clarity, alignment, and disciplined execution across multiple initiatives. Establish frameworks for prioritization, accountability, and measurement of impact.

Lead Testing & Innovation: Design and manage field testing of new concepts, tools, and operational models. Partner with Ops, Product, and Strategy teams to evaluate learnings and guide smart, scalable decisions that shape Sweetgreen’s future operating model.

Implementation + Communications: Own the process and communication strategy for major rollouts — ensuring smooth adoption across our restaurant network. Create clear playbooks and storytelling moments that connect “why” to “how” for every team member.

Workforce Management Strategy: Evolve our labor planning approach to ensure the right team structure and scheduling to meet both operational needs and team experience goals. Partner with Finance, People, and Ops Tech to improve labor efficiency and forecasting models.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with leaders across Operations, Technology, Finance, and People to build and align systems that enable execution and scalability.

Team Leadership & Development: Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of program leaders. Foster a culture of accountability, curiosity, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in operations strategy, operations services, or transformation within multi-unit retail, restaurant, or consumer-facing businesses.
• Proven success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives that deliver measurable improvements in performance, efficiency, and team engagement.
• Deep understanding of workforce management, field operations, and change management best practices.
  Skilled at simplifying complexity — translating strategic priorities into actionable, scalable programs that resonate with field teams.
• Exceptional communicator and collaborator who builds trust and alignment across teams in both a corporate and field operations environment.
• Proficient in Excel/Google Sheets (advanced functions and modeling), Google Suite, and program management
• Willingness to spend 30–40% of time in restaurants and up to 25% traveling to key markets

What You’ll Bring

• A strategic mindset paired with a bias for execution and measurable impact
• The ability to balance big picture thinking with field-level understanding. 
• Curiosity, adaptability, and the drive to learn and improve continuously 
• A collaborative, people-first approach that values partnership and communication 
• A deep passion for operational excellence and supporting our restaurant teams, 

What you'll get:

• Highly compet