Senior Director - Programs

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 with a passion for learning, operating, and building new products and technologies for millions of consumers. We care about each customer 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?

The Senior Director of Programs is the organisation’s expert in delivery execution - the person who ensures the roadmap actually happens. They are both a strategic delivery leader and a hands-on program manager, personally driving high-impact, cross-functional initiatives while leading a small, elite team of Program and Project Managers.

This team are the “Navy SEALs” of project management, deployed onto the work that truly matters: critical initiatives, new product launches, enterprise-wide process changes, and transformational tool rollouts. They bring structure, pace, and accountability wherever complex work needs to land. The Senior Director defines how we deliver, setting the bar for disciplined execution, proactive risk management, and clear communication while modelling those standards in their own delivery. They partner closely with business leaders, tech, and operations to translate strategic priorities into tangible results that deliver measurable value.

Key Accountabilities

1. Program Delivery Leadership

• Own the program delivery strategy ensuring projects are consistently delivered to scope, budget, and time, and deliver clear business outcomes.

• Lead a team of Program and Project Managers deployed across strategic initiatives.

• Build delivery excellence through mentoring, coaching, and standardisation of approach.

• Drive accountability, visibility, and ownership across programs through strong governance and cadence.

2. Hands-On Program & Project Management

• Personally lead high-impact, cross-functional initiatives: setting the gold standard for structured, outcome-driven delivery.

• Build integrated delivery plans, manage dependencies, and proactively identify risks.

• Align multiple functions (Technology, Product, Operations, Commercial, etc.) around shared goals and milestones.

• Adapt delivery approaches (Agile, hybrid, or waterfall) to suit the initiative - pragmatic, not dogmatic.

3. Deployment & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Manage the deployment model for Program and Project Managers across the organisation, ensuring high-impact work always has the right leadership.

• Partner with embedded project management teams in functions to enhance - not duplicate - capability.

• Coordinate resource allocation and ensure PMs are focused on initiatives that drive the most business value.

• Act as the escalation point for critical program risks, dependencies, or delivery challenges.

4. Execution Frameworks & Best Practice

• Champion best-in-class delivery techniques, templates, and tools that make execution faster and clearer.

• Work with the Delivery Assurance team to ensure consistent standards, reporting, and communication across all programs.

• Foster a culture of delivery accountability and continuous improvement — where every project leaves the organisation stronger.

Key Outcomes

• Initiatives land on time, to scope and cost, and deliver measurable business value.

• Clear accountability, ownership, and visibility of progress across all strategic programs.

• Proactive risk, dependency, and stakeholder management embedded in every initiative.

• Consistent communication and alignment across functions.

• Tangible, visible impact on the company’s top strategic priorities.

What are we looking for?

Essential

• Proven track record delivering large, cross-functional, and high-value programs in a complex, fast-moving environment.

• Deep expertise in program and project management disciplines: planning, risk, dependency, stakeholder, and benefits management.

• Comfortable working across multiple functions (Technology, Product, Operations, Commercial, Compliance, etc.).

• Hands-on leader — able to personally manage major initiatives while guiding others.

• Excellent communication and influencing skills; able to bring alignment across senior stakeholders with competing priorities.

• Pragmatic, action-oriented mindset: values clarity, pace, and tangible results over process for process’s sake.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop program and project managers at varying levels of experience.

Desirable

• Experience in tech, digital, or product-driven organisations undergoing growth or transformation.

• Exposure to both Agile and traditional delivery methodologies and the judgement to use what fits.

• Background in establishing or maturing program management functions in scaling organisations.

• Strong understanding of how to integrate program delivery with portfolio management and strategic planning processes.

What Success Looks Like (6–12 months)

• A reliable, repeatable rhythm of delivery across strategic programs.

• Visible ownership of risks, dependencies, and milestones across the portfolio.

• Major initiatives land successfully with measurable business outcomes.

• A motivated, high-performing team of Program and Project Managers who model best practice.

• Functions across the business view the Programs team as the enablers who make things happen.

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 help shape the future strategy of the Sportsbook/Casino Product

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)