Hospitality / Leisure / Tourism

Chief Executive Officer Full-time NEW

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the principal executive leader of Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. The CEO is responsible for providing visionary leadership, strategic direction, and executive oversight of all casino, hospitality, entertainment, and gaming related initiatives. This position drives organizational growth through operational excellence, innovative business strategies, property development, and diversification opportunities that strengthen long-term financial sustainability for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. The CEO ensures alignment between business growth strategies and Tribal goals while maintaining the highest standards of guest service, regulatory compliance, financial performance, and organizational leadership.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop and execute the long-term strategic vision for Morongo Casino Resort & Spa and affiliated business enterprises.
  • Serve as the primary advisor to the Tribal Council regarding business strategy, economic development, investment opportunities, and industry trends.
  • Lead the executive leadership team in achieving organizational objectives and sustainable growth.
  • Establish key performance indicators and accountability measures across all business units.
  • Provide regular reports to the Tribal Council regarding operational, financial, and strategic performance.
  • Lead the planning, evaluation, negotiation, and execution of property development and expansion initiatives.
  • Identify and assess opportunities for new resort developments, hospitality ventures, entertainment venue and related projects.
  • Oversee feasibility studies, market analyses, and investment evaluations related to development projects.
  • Coordinate with architects, developers, consultants, contractors, government agencies, and Tribal stakeholders throughout project lifecycles.
  • Ensure development projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and aligned with Tribal objectives.
  • Evaluate emerging gaming markets, tourism trends, and economic opportunities that support long-term expansion.
  • Analyze financial reports, budgets, forecasts, and profit and loss statements.
  • Oversee debt financing, capital funding, and investment decisions related to expansion projects.
  • Ensure responsible management of organizational resources and assets.
  • Build and maintain productive relationships with Tribal Members, business partners, government leaders, investors, and community stakeholders.
  • Represent the organization at industry meetings, conferences, and public events.
  • Oversee all gaming, hospitality, food and beverage, entertainment, hotel, spa, golf, and support operations.
  • Ensure exceptional guest experience and service standards across all properties.
  • Monitor financial performance, revenue generation, profitability, and operational efficiency.
  • Ensure compliance with all tribal, federal, state, and gaming regulations.
  • Promote Morongo’s reputation as a premier gaming, hospitality, entertainment, and economic development enterprise.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provides executive leadership and direction to senior executives, department directors, and business unit leaders.
  • Develops and maintains a high-performance leadership culture focused on accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Oversees leadership succession planning, executive development, and organizational talent strategies.
  • Leads cross-functional teams responsible for expansion, development, construction, and strategic growth initiatives.
  • Fosters a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation, and operational excellence throughout the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex organizations through periods of growth and expansion.
  • Extensive experience in property development, hospitality, gaming, commercial real estate, economic development, or related industries.
  • Strong financial acumen with experience managing large-scale capital investments and development projects.
  • Proven success in negotiating complex business transactions, partnerships, and development agreements.
  • Deep understanding of strategic planning, organizational leadership, and enterprise growth.
  • Ability to balance operational excellence with long-term development and expansion objectives.
  • Strong relationship-building skills and ability to work effectively with Tribal leadership, government agencies, investors, and business partners. High level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Real Estate Development, Hospitality Management, Economic Development, or a related field required.
  • MBA, Master’s Degree, Juris Doctor, or other executive-level graduate degree preferred.
  • Minimum fifteen (15) years of progressive leadership experience.
  • At least ten (10) years of senior executive experience overseeing large-scale hospitality, gaming, commercial real estate, mixed-use development, resort operations, or related enterprises.
  • Demonstrated experience leading multimillion-dollar development, construction, expansion, redevelopment, or acquisition projects.
  • Proven record of developing and executing long-range growth strategies that generate measurable financial results.
  • Experience working directly with governing boards, tribal governments, elected officials, or public-sector stakeholders preferred.
  • Experience overseeing integrated resort properties, casino operations, commercial developments, or destination entertainment venues strongly preferred.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, REGISTRATIONS:

Must have successfully completed a background check and obtained a gaming license issued by the Morongo Gaming Agency, as required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Must be able to read and interpret documents in English, such as instructions, guidelines, policies, and procedures. Must also be able to communicate clearly and effectively with team members, management, and guests.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

  • Communication Skills: Must be able to communicate with clarity, professionalism, and authority in person, by phone, and in writing with board members, executive leadership, department heads, tribal leadership, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders; responsible for high-level presentations, strategic planning sessions, and public relations.
  • Lifting and Carrying: Occasionally lifts and carries reports, presentation materials, or laptops weighing up to 20 pounds; minimal physical lifting is required.
  • Manual Dexterity: Frequently uses hands and fingers to operate computers, review strategic documentation, sign executive approvals, and interact with business systems and communication tools.
  • Mobility: Frequently moves throughout corporate offices, operational departments, and public areas of properties; must be able to perform on-site visits, inspections, and leadership presence across a wide operational footprint.
  • Stationary Work: Regularly remains seated for extended periods while conducting strategic planning, attending meetings, reviewing reports, or engaging in administrative responsibilities.
  • Tool Operation: Regular use of computers, enterprise software platforms, communication systems, video conferencing tools, and standard office equipment; responsible for navigating multiple systems for oversight and decision-making.
  • Visual Acuity: Requires excellent near and distance vision for reviewing complex documents, financial data, business intelligence dashboards, and physical property conditions.
  • Working Conditions: Primarily operates in an executive office environment, with regular access to boardrooms, property sites, and public spaces; occasional exposure to moderate to high noise levels, bright lights, and a smoking environment when visiting casino or hospitality areas.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This is a dynamic, fast-paced environment that requires the ability to adapt and perform under pressure. The casino operates with moderate to loud noise levels and is a smoking environment, requiring team members to work comfortably in these conditions.

WORKING HOURS:

Morongo Casino Resort & Spa operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; therefore, flexibility in scheduling is essential. Team members must be available to work shifts that may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events. Schedules are subject to change based on business needs and may include overtime, as well as work on both weekdays and weekends.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) AND INDIAN PREFERENCE:

Morongo Casino Resort & Spa is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives hiring preference to qualified Native Americans as allowed by law. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or national origin.

We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as required by the ADA. If you need help or an accommodation during the hiring process, please contact Human Resources.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.

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