VP of Hotel, Resort and Retail

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Grand Casino Hinckley

VP of Hotel, Resort and Retail

DEPARTMENT:

Hospitality

REPORTS TO:

Assistant General Manager

Lead the Experience. Develop People. Drive Performance.

The Vice President of Hotel, Resort and Retail provides executive leadership and strategic direction for hotel, resort, and retail operations at their Grand Casino property, with additional oversight of spa and golf operations at the Hinckley location. Convention Sales and Central Reservations are centralized under Mille Lacs leadership and support both properties. The VP at each location is expected to partner closely with these teams to align group business strategy, occupancy goals, and guest experience execution.

This is a highly visible executive leadership role requiring active presence during weekends and peak business periods, strong alignment with enterprise priorities, and a people-first leadership approach grounded in values-based leadership and Mille Lacs Band values.

The VP partners closely with property leadership and enterprise teams to ensure operational excellence, financial strength, talent development of Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members, and memorable guest experiences across their areas of responsibility.

What You’ll Own

Hospitality Operations + Strategy

• Provide strategic direction and executive oversight for Hotel, Resort, Retail, Spa, and Golf operations, Convention Sales and Central Reservations (as applicable by property).
• Develop and execute short- and long-term hospitality strategies aligned with enterprise growth objectives and property-specific opportunities.
• Establish operational unity, service standards, and performance expectations across all venues to ensure consistency in Guest experience and staffing models.
• Regularly evaluate market trends, business performance, and competitive positioning to adjust strategy and drive innovation.
• Lead remodels, renovations, capital improvements, and new venue development in partnership with property, design, and enterprise teams.
• Provide strategic input into group business performance and reservations effectiveness to support property-level financial outcomes and guest experience excellence.

Guest Experience + Brand Excellence

• Champion a Guest first culture focused on satisfaction, loyalty, service recovery, and brand consistency.
• Develop, implement, and audit hospitality brand standards, operating procedures, and service expectations.
• Partner with Marketing and Operations to align hospitality execution with promotions, events, and Guest engagement strategies.
• Maintain visible executive leadership presence during weekends, holidays, and peak business periods to support teams and Guests.

Financial Performance + Capital Alignment

• Lead property level hospitality financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting efforts.
• Evaluate business concepts, capital investments, and ROI to support sustainable growth and long-term value.
• Allocate funds, authorize expenditures, and monitor operational performance to maximize revenue and manage costs.
• Review operational and financial reporting to identify trends, risks, system inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities.
• Initiate improvements in financial systems, processes, and performance measurement tools to enhance operational insight and accountability.

People Leadership + Talent Development

• Serve as a visible and empowering executive leader who develops, mentors, and strengthens hospitality leadership teams.
• Build succession pipelines and create development opportunities for Associates at all levels.
• Partner in recruitment, retention, and leadership development strategies.
• Foster an inclusive workplace that values individual differences and supports equitable growth.
• Ensure departmental hiring and development practices reflect Tribal employment priorities and Mille Lacs Band values.
• Establish clear decision making authority, accountability structures, and leadership alignment.

Culture + Community Leadership

• Model values-based leadership behaviors and reinforce company values in daily operations.
• Collaborate with the Assistant General Manager and executive leadership team to review achievements and adjust strategic priorities.
• Represent Grand Casino through appropriate community involvement and stakeholder engagement.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Stay current on hospitality industry trends, innovations, and best practices.

You’ll Excel in this Role If You

• Lead with visibility, accountability, and a people first mindset.
• Balance strategic vision with operational execution.
• Create exceptional Guest experiences through empowered teams.
• Drive measurable business results while honoring cultural values.
• Collaborate effectively across enterprise and property functions.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, and executive presence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field required, or a minimum of eight (8) years of progressive hospitality leadership experience.
• Five (5) years of senior management experience, including operational oversight and budget responsibility.
• Multi-unit hospitality leadership experience required.
• Experience leading large hotel operations (300+ rooms preferred).
• Strong financial acumen including P&L management and forecasting.
• Experience with hotel renovations, revenue growth initiatives, and LMS systems.
• Must secure licensure through the Gaming Regulatory Authority (GRA) and adhere to all Detailed Gaming Regulations (DGRs).
• Mille Lacs Band Member and American Indian preference will be exercised in the hiring process

Capabilities Needed to Drive Success

• Strong people leadership and coaching capability.
• Guest experience focused operational mindset.
• Strategic and financial decision making skills.
• Ability to lead through change and complexity.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and executive presence.
• High adaptability and resilience in fast paced environments.

How Success Is Measured

• Guest satisfaction and service consistency across hospitality operations.
• Financial performance and ROI on hospitality initiatives.
• Strength and readiness of hospitality leadership pipelines.
• Leader visibility and engagement during peak business periods.
• Alignment with enterprise strategy, Mille Lacs Band values, and preference hiring practices.
• Operational innovation and continuous improvement outcomes.

Total Rewards

• Competitive executive salary and performance‑based incentives
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) with employer match
• Influence in shaping the future of a major Tribal enterprise
• A culture rooted in Wisdom, Love, Respect, Truth, Humility, Bravery, and Honesty

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