Director of International Operations – EMEA & APAC

At CEC Entertainment, we build careers around great food, family, and fun! Our purpose and our passion is to create the best place for kids and families to eat and play!

Job Description

Director of International Operations – EMEA & APAC is responsible for ensuring operational excellence and lead development expansion efforts across the region, international travel is required. This role oversees the planning, execution, and management of operational strategies, partnership support, and organizational alignment. The director applies best practices to ensure consistency and effectiveness across regional operations, aligning CEC strategies with broader organizational objectives. Responsibilities include managing key performance metrics, ensuring compliance with company standards, manage global communication tools and champions partner interests and leveraging CEC’s operational departments for integrated support. This position offers work-from-home flexibility.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operations: 

• Build relationships with franchisees and their management teams
• Be a liaison between international franchisee teams with CEC Support Center
• Perform operational audits throughout region detailing out findings, correct actions, and follow through to resolution of call-to-action items
• Provide constant feedback on best practices and brand innovations
• Deliver clear scheduled communication to Franchisee brand director utilizing an agenda and post meeting notes as a basis for discussion and next steps
• Support the use and maintenance of communication tools such as Basecamp for product and marketing approvals and URL and social media channels

Sales & Financial Performance: 

• Manages sales tracking, royalty reporting, and quarterly true-up reconciliations with Finance team
• Identifies and evaluates sales opportunities, implements strategic initiatives, and coordinates with CEC Marketing to align sales programs with the marketing calendar
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of global opportunities by seeking potential partners through prospecting, qualification, proposal, negotiation and closing development deals  
• Oversees financial processes including aged receivables follow-up, accurate royalty invoicing, and coordination with Finance
• Analyzes franchise P&Ls and ensures travel and line-item expenses are optimized against budgeted revenues

New Fun Center Opening: 

• Oversee end-to-end execution of new store openings, ensuring completed market mapping assessment, store design, layout, technology, merchandising, and entertainment mix to align with brand standards, timelines, and budget targets
• Ensure operational readiness via training, marketing, and supply chain and compliance with health, safety, and regulatory standards
• Provide leadership coaching and support to the new store management team, fostering brand culture and service excellence
• Create and maintain new store opening materials, guides and progress tracker

Communication:

• Leads directional support through scheduled calls with franchisees and the Support Center teams
• Coordinates all travel logistics for international teams, including franchisee visits
• Develops and manages project timelines, provides updates to cross-functional teams, and ensures legal agreements and FA fees are triggered and collected on schedule

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner with leadership, colleagues and team members
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills to identify growth opportunities and drive international expansion
• Proven ability to build and manage cross-cultural partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Skilled in resource planning, performance management, and aligning regional operations with global business goals
• Abilities to influence across functions and lead diverse, international teams
   

Education and Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, international business, a related field; or comparable progressive work experience
• Proven track record of driving operational efficiency, improving service delivery, and data-driven decision-making and strategic planning.
• Familiarity with financial modeling, budgeting, and P&L management in support of strategic decision-making
• Strong track record of aligning business strategy with operational execution in multinational organizations

At Chuck E Cheese, we care about the safety and health of our guests and employees. We have rigorous health and sanitation standards, and our operational procedures are designed to meet or exceed local requirements and most importantly to protect the health of our teams and guests

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

                                                              #Diversity #Inclusion #Culture

The Company:

CEC Entertainment, LLC (“CEC”), headquartered in Irving, Texas, is a nationally recognized leader in family dining and entertainment, proudly operating the iconic Chuck E. Cheese, Peter Piper Pizza and Chuck’s Arcade brands.

Chuck E. Cheese celebrates over half a million birthdays annually, dedicated to creating joyful, lasting memories through fun, food, and play. As the place Where a Kid Can Be a Kid®, the brand is committed to safety through programs like Kid Check® and community support, having donated more than $24 million to schools and nonprofits. In 2025, Chuck E. Cheese received the “Best in STEM” award and was named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces, highlighting its industry leadership both in innovation and employee well-being.

Peter Piper Pizza offers a neighborhood pizzeria experience with quality food, engaging entertainment, and lifelong memories because fun isn't added on—“The Fun is Baked In”! Through amusement and connection, families and communities are brought together every day. Both Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza champion play through different attractions to support physical wellness and strengthen motor skills in kids.

CEC Entertainment and its franchisees operate nearly 600 Chuck E. Cheese locations and over 120 Peter Piper Pizza venues across 45 states and 18 countries. The company proudly fosters a culture of diversity and celebrates fun and play to unite every family. Learn more at chuckecheese.com and peterpiperpizza.com.

Benefits:

CEC Entertainment offers a wide variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and 401(k) retirement savings plan to eligible U.S. employees as part of their overall employment package. We also offer job training and career growth opportunities. Chuck E. Cheese is a "Work Today, Get Paid Tomorrow" employer.

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At CEC Entertainment, we believe that our workforce should reflect the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of many guests we serve. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate against applicants due to race, ancestry, color, genetics, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran status, or on the basis of any other federal, state or local protected class.