The  Director of Ops Innovation  is a mission-critical leader within the  Restaurant Excellence  function, IHOP’s engine for operational transformation. This team is laser-focused on driving restaurant  profitability, team productivity, and guest delight  at scale This role is not about incremental change; it’s about  redefining and optimizing how IHOP operates . The individual will lead the strategic vision for the future of restaurant operations, identifying and executing bold, high-impact initiatives that: Radically accelerate speed of service Maximize labor efficiency and reduce in-box complexity Deploy modern technologies that streamline workflows Deliver a frictionless, best-in-class guest experience This leader will partner cross-functionally with Core Operations, Technology, and Field teams to test, validate, and scale innovations that move the needle on labor, cost, and guest satisfaction This role demands a rare blend of  strategic horsepower and operational hustle . The ideal candidate is a systems thinker with a builder’s mindset: someone who can ruthlessly prioritize what matters most and deliver measurable value to our franchisees You’ll report directly to the  Vice President of Restaurant Excellence and lead the company’s key strategic ops initiatives. As IHOP enters its next wave of step-change growth, this is your opportunity to  shape the future of a beloved brand at scale Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership : Own the development and execution of IHOP’s operational innovation strategy, ruthlessly prioritizing initiatives that drive labor efficiency, cost control, and profitability Operational Optimization : Identify and implement improvements in labor, cost management, and in-restaurant technology and training to elevate 4-wall performance Innovation Pipeline Management : Build and manage a structured pipeline from ideation through pilot to scale, ensuring a steady flow of high-impact, field-validated initiatives Cross-Functional Execution : Partner with Core Operations and Restaurant Technology teams to hand off initiatives for testing, validation, and system-wide rollout System Archetyping : Maintain a dynamic set of restaurant archetypes to ensure solutions are tailored to the diverse IHOP footprint—avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches Market Intelligence : Continuously scan the competitive landscape for best-in-class practices and integrate insights into strategic planning Future-State Modeling : Lead the design and piloting of “Store of the Future” concepts in partnership with franchisees Field Integration : Conduct regular restaurant visits to gather operator feedback and ensure initiatives are grounded in real-world needs. Team Leadership : Manage and develop a team of associates across innovation workstreams (Labor, Cost, Training, Technology) Stakeholder Engagement : Represent IHOP Restaurant Innovation with franchisees and secure alignment from cross-functional leadership Resource Stewardship : Contribute to budgeting and resource planning to ensure investments are directed toward the highest-ROI opportunities Culture Building : Champion a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across the organization Target base salary $190k-215k based on experience Skills & Requirements: Education & Experience : Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, or a related field. Minimum 5+ years of experience in operations and strategy, ideally with time at a top-tier consulting firm (e.g., McKinsey, Bain, BCG), including 2+ years in a leadership role Industry Expertise : Strong preference for candidates with experience in restaurant, hospitality, or multi-unit retail environments Operational Acumen : Deep understanding of restaurant operations, labor and cost levers, and performance drivers. Proven ability to identify and execute efficiency improvements through technology, training, and process redesign Analytical & Financial Rigor : Skilled in analyzing complex data, building business cases, and understanding P&L dynamics to drive unit-level profitability Technology Fluency : Familiarity with restaurant tech stacks (e.g., POS systems, kitchen display systems, labor scheduling tools, digital ordering platforms). Leadership & Influence : Demonstrated success in managing and developing high-performing teams. Exceptional communication and storytelling skills with the ability to influence both senior leaders and field operators Executional Agility : Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, cross-functional, in-office environment while also engaging directly with field teams. Willingness to travel 25–40% to stay connected to frontline realities Bias for Action : Thrives in ambiguity, makes decisions with imperfect information, and iterates quickly based on feedback