Director of Strategic Initiatives

Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel•Worley, ID

About The Position

The Director of Strategic Initiatives is responsible for leading enterprise-wide strategic projects that advance the Casino’s long-term vision, operational excellence, and financial performance. This role partners closely with executive leadership and department directors to identify opportunities, lead cross-functional initiatives, and ensure strategic priorities are executed effectively across gaming, hospitality, food & beverage, hotel operations, marketing, HR, and finance. The Director acts as a strategic advisor, project leader, and change agent, bridging strategy and execution while ensuring initiatives align with organizational values, regulatory requirements, and Tribal objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Organizational Development, Public Administration, or a closely related field; advanced degree preferred.
Fifteen (15)+ years of progressive senior leadership experience within a casino, resort, or Tribal gaming enterprise, with demonstrated responsibility for enterprise-level strategy, operational alignment, or organizational transformation.
Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional, casino-wide strategic initiatives, including initiatives spanning gaming operations, hospitality, finance, compliance, technology, and human resources.
Extensive experience working with executive leadership teams, serving as a trusted strategic advisor and influencing outcomes through collaboration, data-driven insight, and executive-level facilitation.
Strong working knowledge of regulated gaming environments, including compliance requirements, internal controls, risk management practices, and casino governance frameworks.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience within Tribal gaming enterprises, including familiarity with sovereign governance structures, Tribal Council or Board relationships, and the cultural, regulatory, and community responsibilities unique to Tribal organizations.
Master’s degree (MBA, MPA, or equivalent) with an emphasis on strategy, leadership, or organizational effectiveness.
Formal training or certification in strategic planning, enterprise change leadership, continuous improvement, Lean/Six Sigma, or large-scale transformation in regulated environments.
Demonstrated ability to align strategic initiatives with Tribal values, long-term sustainability goals, and community impact, while maintaining operational excellence and regulatory integrity.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Executive Leadership Team to develop, align, and execute CCRH’s casino-wide strategy.
Translate Board direction, Tribal priorities, and executive decisions into coordinated, cross-functional casino initiatives.
Facilitate alignment across executive leaders to ensure clarity of priorities, roles, decision rights, and accountability.
Support executive planning processes, including annual casino strategy, capital planning, and long-range development.
Serve as a mentor, coach, and strategic resource to executive leaders and department directors.
Strengthen executive decision-making related to gaming performance, guest experience, workforce strategy, capital investment, and risk.
Promote collaboration, trust, and shared accountability across the executive team.
Support leadership development and succession planning initiatives.
Lead governance and oversight of casino-wide strategic initiatives that span multiple departments.
Establish initiative charters, success metrics, timelines, and stage-gate review processes.
Monitor initiative progress, identify risks or barriers, and support executives in resolving cross-functional challenges.
Conduct post-initiative reviews to ensure value realization, sustainability, and organizational learning.
Assess organizational structures, processes, and capabilities to support CCRH’s strategic objectives.
Lead or support casino initiatives focused on organizational effectiveness, cultural alignment, and continuous improvement
Reinforce a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and guest-centered service.
Ensure initiatives align with CCRH values and Traditional Tribal Hospitality.