Vice President of Operations

About The Lighthouse & Role

The Lighthouse, an innovative creative campus under Whalar Group, offers a dynamic platform for Creators to learn, create, and connect through state-of-the-art studios and vibrant programming. With existing locations in Venice Beach, CA, and a Brooklyn, NY campus opening in Fall 2025, as well as a planned London/EMEA site in 2026, it fosters a thriving creative community designed to empower professionals in creative industries.

We seek a Vice President of Operations to develop and lead the operational foundation supporting The Lighthouse's vision. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role entails defining and executing strategy and operational systems to ensure sustainable growth across all campuses without compromising their distinct cultures.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee operational performance across all campuses, ensuring consistency while respecting unique site characteristics.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO to implement company strategy, scale operations, and discover new revenue avenues.
• Develop operating procedures, playbooks, and scalable processes for present activities and future global expansion.
• Lead and mentor General Managers, fostering a culture of ownership, hospitality, accountability, and commercial acumen.
• Drive operational excellence in areas including memberships, events, partnerships, hospitality, studio production, food and beverage, content, and emerging revenue streams.
• Work with business leaders to enhance financial outcomes via forecasting, KPI analysis, and operational planning informed by data.
• Provide executive oversight of Finance, HR, Technology, Facilities, Business Operations, Hospitality, Vendor Management, and Compliance.
• Identify and implement technology and workflow improvements to boost efficiency and member satisfaction.
• Create repeatable operating models that allow growth without sacrificing creativity, culture, or hospitality standards.
• Participate as a key member of the executive leadership team to address complex challenges, direct long-term planning, and steer company expansion.
• Regularly travel to existing and upcoming campuses to support leadership, facilitate new openings, and ensure uniform excellence in member experience.

Candidate Profile

• Over 10 years in senior leadership roles managing multifaceted operations in complex organizations.
• Strong background leading large cross-functional teams spanning operations, hospitality, finance, people management, or commercial segments.
• Proven experience building scalable systems, processes, and operational infrastructures within fast-growing, entrepreneurial environments.
• Demonstrated commercial insight enhancing revenue, profitability, operational performance, and customer experience simultaneously.
• Experience collaborating directly with CEOs or executive teams to influence business strategy and growth.
• Outstanding leadership skills with a history of coaching senior leaders and building high-performing teams.
• Comfortable making decisive choices in rapid, ambiguous situations.
• Balanced approach combining strategic vision and hands-on execution, enthusiastic about growing businesses beyond simple management.
• Passion for hospitality, creativity, and crafting beloved experiences.
• Background in hospitality, premium consumer brands, media, entertainment, creative sectors, experiential businesses, or rapidly scaling enterprises is highly valued.

Benefits and Work Culture

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Paid time off including vacation, sick days, and holidays.
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts alongside commuter and parking benefits.
• Company-paid life and disability insurance, with voluntary supplemental insurance options.
• Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional support.
• 401(k) plan featuring employer matching with no vesting period.
• Monthly stipend to support work-from-home arrangements.
• Annual stipend dedicated to professional development.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The Lighthouse embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values, fostering a culture where individuals from all backgrounds feel welcomed and empowered. It strictly prohibits discrimination or harassment of any kind, ensuring equal opportunity in every aspect of employment from hiring to promotion, compensation, and benefits, in line with applicable laws.