VP of Operations, Strategy, and Analytics

Job Title:  Vice President of Operations Strategy and Analytics

Reports To: 

We believe the more you lean in in life, the more you get out!  

Our mission is to make a better burger, every time!  To do that, you cannot just sit back. Leaning in is what the Smash in Smashburger is all about!  We are looking for people who will put their back and their heart into it everything they do!  Who live and breathe the Smashburger Values:

·         Stay Hungry (Speed with Excellence)

·         Make Room (Humility to Listen and Learn)

·         Have Each Other’s Backs (Spirit of Family & Fun)

·         Take Pride (Guest Focus)

·         Walk the Walk (Integrity

The Vice President of Operations Strategy and Analytics is critical in driving the strategic direction of the company and leveraging data-driven insights to optimize operations, enhance guest experiences, and drive revenue growth. The VP of Strategy and Analytics will originate the data analytics function for Smashburger and integrate strategic planning across the functions.

The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record in strategic leadership, data analytics, and operational excellence, with experience in the restaurant or fast-casual dining industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Data Analytics and Insights
• Lead the development of a robust analytics framework to measure and improve performance across all business units.
• Utilize data to provide actionable insights on customer behavior, sales trends, and operational efficiency including customer trends, operational data and financial forecasting.
• Create and manage KPIs and dashboards to support data-driven decision-making.
• Strategic Leadership
• Collaborate with the executive team to define and execute Smashburger’s long-term strategic vision.
• Identify and evaluate growth opportunities, prioritize work streams and prove return on investment for key projects.
• Lead board level presentation preparation and shape the messaging for governance.
• Operational Optimization
• Create a testing protocol to evaluate new products and changes in operational protocols to prove value of initiatives.
• Leverage analytics to optimize menu offerings, pricing strategies, and supply chain processes.
• Team Leadership
• Build and lead a high-performing strategy and analytics team.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Provide mentorship and development opportunities for team members.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Analytics, Economics, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10 years of experience in strategy, analytics, or a related field, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in the restaurant, hospitality, or fast-casual dining industry, preferably within a multi-unit business.
• Strong expertise in data analytics tools (e.g., SQL, Tableau, Power BI) and data-driven decision-making.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities, with a proven ability to influence across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• This position is based in Denver, CO.  Must be able to work a hybrid schedule of in office and remote work.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Proficiency in identifying trends and delivering customer-focused innovations.
• Financial acumen and a solid understanding of P&L management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in statistics, data proficiency and tech stack strategy and design.