Director - Engineering Planning & Operations

What are we building?

Hard Rock Digital is a team focused on becoming the best online sportsbook, casino, and social gaming company in the world. We’re building a team that resonates passion for learning, operating and building new products and technologies for millions of consumers. We care about each customer's interaction, experience, behavior, and insight and strive to ensure we’re always acting authentically.

Rooted in the kindred spirits of Hard Rock and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the new Hard Rock Digital taps a brand known the world over as the leader in gaming, entertainment, and hospitality. We’re taking that foundation of success and bringing it to the digital space — ready to join us?

What’s the position?

We are seeking a Director of Engineering Planning and Operations to partner directly with the SVP of Technology. This senior leader will oversee the planning, execution, and operational rhythm of the Technology organization — ensuring strategic alignment across engineering, data, and platform teams.

This role is the connective tissue of the Technology function. You’ll drive the annual and quarterly planning process, coordinate execution of the technology roadmap, oversee headcount and hiring operations, support capitalized project tracking, and establish mechanisms for effective communication and accountability.

You’ll act as a trusted operational partner to the SVP of Technology, helping the organization run smoothly, scale effectively, and deliver consistently.

What are we looking for?

 Strategic & Operational Leadership:

• Partner with the SVP of Technology to define and execute strategic and operational priorities.

• Drive organizational planning processes — annual, quarterly, and ongoing — ensuring initiatives align with business goals.

• Establish and maintain the technology operating cadence: leadership meetings, roadmap reviews, and cross-functional syncs.

• Track progress on key initiatives and ensure accountability across engineering and supporting teams.

Organizational Planning & People Operations:

• Oversee headcount planning and hiring processes for the Technology organization, ensuring alignment with company growth and budget.

• Collaborate with Recruiting, Finance, and People teams to forecast staffing needs and support onboarding and team integration.

• Partner with functional leads to ensure teams are resourced effectively for roadmap execution.

• Drive communication and visibility into organizational priorities, metrics, and performance.

Financial & Capital Planning:

• Support capitalized project tracking and ensure compliance with financial requirements.

• Collaborate with Finance and the VP of Technical Operations on forecasting, spend tracking, and ROI analysis for technology initiatives.

• Improve transparency into cost management, productivity, and technology investment outcomes.

Technology Roadmap & Execution Rhythm:

• Coordinate roadmap reviews and cross-functional alignment sessions between Engineering, Product, Data, and Operations.

• Track execution progress against key initiatives, proactively identifying risks and surfacing solutions.

• Support portfolio reporting, dashboards, and KPI tracking to inform strategic decision-making.

• Facilitate decision-making for resource prioritization and sequencing across initiatives.

Executive Communication & Governance:

• Develop executive presentations, progress reports, and leadership updates that translate technical progress into business insight.

• Ensure consistent communication of goals, outcomes, and progress to leadership stakeholders.

• Lead preparation for quarterly reviews, board updates, and key operational meetings.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Computer Science, or a related field.

• 8+ years of experience in technology operations, program management, or engineering leadership roles.

• Strong understanding of software development organizations, product lifecycles, and roadmap management.

• Proven experience partnering with senior technology leaders in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional planning, budgeting, and headcount processes.

• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or Master’s degree in a technical or business discipline.

• Experience in gaming, digital entertainment, or large-scale consumer technology organizations.

• Background in capitalized project governance or technology financial management.

• Experience managing large-scale planning or portfolio management functions in a technology org.

• Familiarity with Agile methodologies, OKR frameworks, and operational performance tracking.

• Executive presence and the ability to communicate clearly at all organizational levels.

What’s in it for you?

We offer our employees more than just competitive compensation. Our team benefits include:

• Competitive pay and benefits

• Flexible vacation allowance

• Flexible work from home or office hours

• Startup culture backed by a secure, global brand

• Opportunity to build products enjoyed by millions as part of a passionate team

Roster of Uniques

We care deeply about every interaction our customers have with us, and trust and empower our staff to own and drive their experience. Our vision for our business and customers is built on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where regardless of background or beliefs you feel able to be authentic and bring all your talent into play. We want to celebrate you being you (we are an equal opportunities employer)