Director, Ops Excellence

Company:Driven Brands

The Automotive Training Institute (ATI), the largest coaching and training company for Owners of Independent Repair Shops in the US and Canada. With over 1700 shops actively engaged in our program, we provide coaching, training and the largest buying program in the automotive aftermarket for Independent Shop Owners. Our members have cumulatively increased their Gross Profits by almost $3.0 Billion dollars through the ATI program.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

ATI is seeking an exceptional Director of Operations Excellence to serve as a critical member of the senior leadership team, reporting directly to the President. This is a rare and high-impact role that sits at the intersection of strategic execution, organizational leadership, and operational rigor.

The Director of Operations Excellence functions as a force multiplier for the President and the broader leadership team — part project management authority, and part organizational integrator. This individual will be trusted to drive the company's most complex, cross-functional priorities forward without always having direct authority over the resources required to deliver them.

The right candidate thrives in ambiguity, brings a builder's mindset to undefined problems, and possesses the executive presence and gravitas to influence outcomes across all levels of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Cross-Functional Initiative Leadership

• Own the design, launch, and delivery of strategic initiatives that span multiple functions and business units

• Build alignment across organizational boundaries using influence, credibility, and relationship capital rather than direct authority

• Establish governance frameworks, decision-making structures, and accountability mechanisms where none previously existed

• Proactively identify where coordination is breaking down and intervene with the right structure and facilitation to restore progress

• Prepare and manage executive briefings, board materials, and high-stakes presentations with precision and clarity

Operational Structure & Process Excellence

• Create clarity from ambiguity — rapidly assess unstructured situations and design actionable frameworks, project plans, and operating rhythms

• Own and lead the company's weekly operational reviews — setting the agenda, ensuring the right participants and data are present, driving accountability on action items, and synthesizing outcomes for the President and leadership team

• Drive the leadership team's operating cadence including business reviews, strategic planning cycles, and leadership offsites

• Develop and track KPIs and operational metrics that give the President and leadership team real-time visibility into business performance

• Identify systemic inefficiencies across the organization and partner with functional leaders to implement scalable improvements

Leadership & Executive Engagement

• Communicate complex, sensitive, or ambiguous topics to executive audiences with confidence, precision, and appropriate nuance

• Build trusted relationships with peers across the leadership team, operating as a neutral and credible connective force across the organization

• Mentor and develop others by modeling structured thinking, clear communication, and results-oriented execution

Qualifications

Required

• 10+ years of progressive experience in operations, strategy, management consulting, or chief of staff functions

• Demonstrated track record of leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from ambiguity to execution without direct resource ownership

• Exceptional project and program management skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously

• Outstanding executive presence — compelling presenter and communicator at all levels, including C-suite and board audiences

• Strong analytical and structured thinking skills; ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable recommendations

• Proven ability to influence without authority and build coalitions across diverse organizational stakeholders

• High emotional intelligence, with the ability to navigate sensitive situations diplomatically and build trust across functions

Preferred

• Experience in a Chief of Staff, VP of Operations, or Strategy & Operations role within a mid-to-large organization

• Background in management consulting or investment banking with a track record of senior client engagement

• Familiarity with ATI's industry sector and the operational challenges of [sector-specific context]

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree

Core Competencies

• Driving Through Ambiguity

• Influence Without Authority

• Executive Presence

• Strategic Thinking

• Cross-Functional Leadership

• Structured Problem Solving

• Stakeholder Management

• Operational Rigor

Position Location:

Maryland

Compensation Range:

$15.00 - $179,900.00

Compensation Frequency:

Annual

Base pay offered may vary depending on actual location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Supplemental pay types may include commissions or bonus incentives, depending on the role. Driven Brands offers a variety of health and wellness benefits including paid time off and holiday pay. Details regarding our benefits can be found here: https://www.drivenbrandsbenefits.com

Get early access to 50% of your earned wages at any time through our myFlexPay program.