Director of Operations

Company Overview

Southern Sands Property Management Group is one of the Texas Gulf Coast's fastest-growing vacation rental companies. We manage a portfolio of properties across the Galveston area and are expanding rapidly into new markets.

We are looking for a senior operator who has done this before to take ownership of day-to-day operations and help us scale with discipline and speed. This is not a middle-management role. You will function as the operational arm of ownership, running departments, leading teams, managing financials, and making executive-level decisions.

About the Role

The Director of Operations is a senior leadership position responsible for managing the daily responsibilities typically handled by company ownership. You will oversee operations, personnel, financial review, process implementation, homeowner relations, business development, systems management, and cross-department coordination across the organization.

The ideal candidate is an experienced operator who can lead teams, improve systems, solve problems proactively, manage growth, and execute the company vision while maintaining high service standards for guests, homeowners, and staff.

Key Responsibilities

Operations leadership

• Oversee daily operations across all departments

• Design and optimize company-wide systems and workflows

• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement scalable solutions

• Ensure properties, teams, and departments operate at Southern Sands standards

• Create accountability structures across departments

Financial oversight

• Review company financials, P&L reports, and operational performance metrics

• Coordinate with accounting and bookkeeping teams

• Monitor operational expenses and profitability

• Review homeowner monthly statements for accuracy and quality control

• Support ownership with budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning

Team management and leadership

• Recruit, hire, train, and retain operational personnel

• Manage department leaders, area managers, maintenance teams, and administrative staff

• Set and track KPIs for departments and individuals

• Conduct performance reviews and lead leadership development

• Build and maintain company culture and morale

Guest and homeowner relations

• Handle escalated guest issues beyond area manager authority

• Resolve sensitive homeowner concerns directly

• Maintain strong relationships with homeowners and investors

• Drive company-wide guest satisfaction standards

Growth and business development

• Lead expansion into new markets and operational territories

• Build systems that support scalable portfolio growth

• Support onboarding and integration of new properties

• Participate in strategic planning with ownership

Technology, systems, and compliance

• Coordinate across PMS, accounting, and operational platforms

• Evaluate, implement, and improve software systems and integrations

• Review and manage vendor relationships and service agreements

• Ensure compliance with company policies and local regulations

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in the short-term vacation rental industry

• 5+ years of leadership or operations management experience in a senior role

• Proven experience managing over 100+ properties within a portfolio

• Proven experience managing a team of 15+ people across operations, housekeeping, maintenance, and guest services

• Strong financial and business acumen; comfortable reviewing P&L statements and operational metrics

• Proven ability to lead, hire, develop, and retain operational teams

• Experience with property management software (PMS), operational platforms, and process implementation

• Executive-level decision-making ability; self-directed and highly accountable

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing multi-market or multi-territory operations

• Familiarity with accounting systems and financial reporting tools

• Experience implementing KPI frameworks and performance management systems

• Background in vendor management and contract negotiation

Compensation & Benefits

Annual Salary $115,000 - $135,000

• Bonus: In addition to base compensation, this role includes the opportunity for performance-based incentive compensation tied to operational performance, growth initiatives, and overall company success.

Benefits

• Health insurance

• Paid time off

• Long-term growth opportunity

Why Join Southern Sands?

Real autonomy

You will run the operation with full executive authority, not report to a committee. Ownership is invested in your success and wants a true operational partner.

Growth from day one

Join during a rapid expansion phase and directly shape where the company goes next. Your decisions will have a real and immediate impact on the business.