Operations Specialist

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 
Location: Providence, RI (hybrid - in-office 3 days per week)
Compensation: $75,000 – $90,000

About the Role

hotelAVE is looking for a proactive, resourceful Operations Specialist to support key business operations and help drive projects forward.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving problems, improving processes, and making things happen. You’ll report to the CEO and work across departments, support senior leaders, manage operational details, and help ensure important initiatives are executed efficiently.

Is This You?

This role is ideal for someone who is earlier in their career and has already gained experience in operations, project coordination, business administration, business/ strategy consulting, supply chain, analytics, or a similar field. You're smart, curious, tech-savvy, and naturally look for ways to make things work better.

You don't just complete tasks—you ask questions, connect the dots, solve problems, and look for opportunities to improve processes. You're comfortable navigating ambiguity, learning new systems, and taking ownership of projects. You enjoy figuring things out, collaborating with others, and seeing the direct impact of your work on the success of a business.

If you're looking for an opportunity to build your career, work closely with leadership, influence how things get done, and see the direct impact of your work on a growing business, this could be a great fit.

What You'll Do

• Lead operational projects and company initiatives
• Coordinate tasks, track deliverables, and ensure follow-through
• Manage contract administration thru the lifecycle, including preparing, tracking, organizing, and maintaining agreements
• Maintain accurate data and reporting within Salesforce and other business systems
• Monitor contract status, key dates, and required documentation
• Research issues, gather information, and develop practical solutions
• Identify process improvement opportunities and help implement them
• Create and maintain documentation, reports, and operational procedures
• Partner with team members across the organization to improve efficiency and remove obstacles
• Build relationships across departments to help drive projects and initiatives forward

What We're Looking For

• 1-3 years of experience in operations, project coordination, business administration, business/ strategy consulting
• Bachelor's degree preferred in a related degree such as business, operational engineering, supply chain management, data analytics, computer science
• Experience working in Salesforce or a similar CRM
• Advanced Excel (pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, macros) and PowerPoint (slide master customization, advanced charting) skills
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and follow-through
• Ability to work independently and navigate ambiguity
• Professional presence and sound business judgment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to build credibility and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, from peers to executives
• Ability to influence and gain buy-in to move projects forward, even when not directly managing others
• Continuous improvement mindset and willingness to take initiative

Success in This Role Looks Like

• You see a problem and feel compelled to solve it.
• You bring solutions, not just questions.
• Projects move forward because you take ownership and effectively coordinate others.
• Salesforce data and contract records are accurate and well maintained.
• Processes become more efficient because of your contributions.
• Team members trust you because you are professional, reliable, and follow through on commitments.
• You can confidently interact with executives while building strong working relationships with peers and cross-functional partners.

Our Environment

We move quickly and value people who can adapt, prioritize, and execute. Priorities may shift, and successful team members are comfortable managing multiple projects while maintaining professionalism, attention to detail, and a positive attitude.

The person who will thrive in this role will be comfortable “managing up” versus waiting for instructions and is naturally curious, resourceful, and energized by figuring things out. They are comfortable working with a variety of personalities, can influence others without relying on authority, and take pride in delivering high-quality work.

This Role May Not Be a Fit If

• You prefer highly structured environments with detailed instructions.
• You need constant direction or supervision.
• You are uncomfortable making decisions with incomplete information.
• You prefer maintaining existing processes rather than improving them.
• You struggle to adapt when priorities change.
• You are uncomfortable following up with others and driving accountability to keep projects moving.

Why Join hotelAVE?

You'll gain exposure to multiple areas of the business, work closely with experienced leaders, and have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact from day one. This role is designed for someone who wants to grow quickly, take on increasing responsibility, build a career in operations and business leadership, and have direct regular interaction with the C-suite.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) plan
• Friends and family hotel discounts
• Casual work environment