Director of Talent Casino Operations

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Grand Casinos Mille Lacs/Hinckley

Director of Talent Casino Operations

DEPARTMENT:

Talent

REPORTS TO:

Vice President of Talent & Organizational Effectiveness

Shape the Future of Our Workforce

Our people create every guest experience across Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley. How we hire, develop, and grow them shapes the strength of our properties and the opportunities we create for our Associates and Band Members.

As the Director of Talent, you will lead Talent strategy execution across both properties—ensuring consistent Talent practices, strengthening organizational capability, and aligning workforce strategies with business objectives. As a strategic partner to property leadership, you will drive workforce performance, leadership effectiveness, Associate engagement, and Band Member career growth while championing the Grand Casino Way.

Working within Talent, you will partner closely with property leadership, Band Member Services, and operational teams throughout the enterprise to build leadership pipelines, elevate the Associate experience, and align Talent strategy with organizational performance.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Talent Leadership

• Lead enterprise Talent initiatives that align with organizational and operational goals.
• Utilize the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) framework to align strategic initiatives, streamline processes, and drive cohesive decision-making across the organization.
• Standardize Talent practices across properties, including performance management, onboarding, succession planning, workforce planning, and leadership development.
• Partner with property leadership to improve workforce effectiveness and organizational performance.
• Facilitate cross-property collaboration and continuous improvement.

Workforce Strategy + Business Performance

• Develop workforce strategies that support staffing, labor optimization, productivity, and long-term business needs.
• Monitor Talent metrics including turnover, retention, hiring, engagement, internal mobility, and workforce productivity.
• Provide leadership dashboards and recommendations using workforce analytics to guide business decisions.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and return on investment of Talent programs.

Leadership + Associate Experience

• Coach leaders to strengthen hiring, performance management, engagement, and accountability.
• Foster a coaching culture within the team that promotes continuous learning, professional growth, and development while encouraging open communication and collaboration.
• Lead enterprise initiatives that improve the Associate experience, recognition, retention, and career development.
• Partner on Talent Reviews and succession planning to strengthen leadership pipelines.
• Utilize engagement survey results to drive action planning and continuous improvement.

Band Member Employment + Inclusion

• Partner with Band Member Services and operational leaders to advance Band Member recruitment, retention, and career development.
• Ensure consistent application of Preference Hiring practices and Career Development Plans.
• Measure and report progress toward Band Member employment objectives.

Talent Operations

• Lead and develop the Talent Strategy Partners across both properties.
• Manage departmental resources and budget.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, gaming regulations, and company policies.
• Partner with all areas of Talent to implement company initiatives and organizational change.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Development, or a related field. An associate degree with additional relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, will also be considered.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible HR/Talent experience, with demonstrated growth from HR execution/support roles into independently owning core functions such as recruiting, employee relations, or HR programs, and partnering with managers or leaders on people-related decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to influence leaders and lead enterprise initiatives.
• Must be able to secure and maintain a license from Gaming Regulatory Authority (GRA)
• Responsible for following all relevant Detailed Gaming Regulations (DGR’s)
• Mille Lacs Band Member and American Indian preference will be exercised in the hiring process

Success Measures

Success in this role will be demonstrated through:

• Improved 90-day and overall Associate retention.
• Increased internal promotions and leadership readiness.
• Growth in Band Member hiring, retention, and career progression.
• Consistent Talent practices across all properties.
• Improved engagement survey results and Associate experience.
• Better workforce productivity and labor optimization.
• Strong alignment between Talent strategy and organizational performance.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Work is primarily performed in office and property environments across both locations.
• Ability to move throughout the properties, including gaming, hospitality, and back-of-house areas.
• Supports operations across Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley. Regular travel between properties is required.
• Flexibility to support evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events when business needs require.
• Exposure to varying noise levels and operational environments throughout the properties.

What You’ll Get

Support + Benefits

• Competitive salary + annual incentive eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with match, tuition reimbursement, and paid parental leave
• PTO that’s used and encouraged
• Recognition for birthdays, anniversaries, and leadership milestones

Culture + Legacy

• A supportive team environment focused on learning and development
• A culture rooted in Mille Lacs Band values: Wisdom, Love, Respect, Truth, Humility, Bravery, and Honesty
• Opportunity to shape the workforce behind memorable guest experiences.
• Supportive leadership and cross-functional partnerships throughout the enterprise.
• Every Associate plays a role in creating experiences that are Friendly, Effortless, Fun, and Memorable for our Guests and one another.

• Friendly – We welcome every Guest and Associate with warmth, respect, and genuine hospitality.
• Effortless – We make it easy by removing obstacles, communicating clearly, and taking ownership to deliver seamless experiences.
• Fun – We bring positive energy, enthusiasm, and a spirit of entertainment that makes every visit enjoyable.
• Memorable – We create meaningful moments that Guests remember and Associates are proud to be part of.

Every role contributes to bringing this promise to life through daily actions, teamwork, and a commitment to exceptional service.

#TA8