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

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.