Senior Innovation Program Manager

Turning Stone Enterprises; Town of Verona (NY); On-site; USD 121,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid weekly

Diversity of schedules

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

401(k) plan

Healthcare benefits

Career development

Job summary

Turning Stone Enterprises in Verona, NY seeks a Senior Innovation Program Manager to drive enterprise-wide strategic initiatives, build portfolio management, and mature PMO capabilities in a matrixed environment across business units and leadership levels.

You will align strategy with execution, guide cross-functional teams, and shape governance while leading large-scale programs from concept through implementation, delivering measurable business impact.

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years leading large, complex programs in enterprise environments.
• Demonstrated success building team structure, standards, and governance.
• Strong change management experience.
• Experience leading long‑term, cross‑functional initiatives with executive visibility.
• Hospitality, entertainment, gaming, retail, or consumer‑focused experience preferred.
• Experience delivering programs that leverage personalization, automation, or AI/ML to enhance guest experiences or operations.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and execution skills.
• Ability to stand/walk for long periods of time and lift up to 10 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and reinforce enterprise-wide program standards, best practices, and governance.
• Oversee enterprise roadmap and initiative pipeline visibility, health, and reporting.
• Identify and address operational gaps that limit speed or quality of delivery.
• Lead prioritization efforts based on strategic alignment, capacity, risk, and measurable business value.
• Apply consistent intake processes, acceptance criteria, and evaluation frameworks.
• Implement risk assessment, mitigation, and resilience planning approaches at the program and portfolio level.
• Partner with leadership to evolve tooling, reporting, and AI‑enabled capabilities.
• Translate enterprise strategy and business drivers into actionable, multi‑year program roadmaps.
• Provide leadership and structure for large‑scale, complex initiatives spanning digital, CX, marketing, technology and operations.
• Assess interdependencies and enterprise impacts across initiatives.
• Support strategy‑based decision‑making through data, analysis, and scenario planning.
• Preemptively identify challenges and risks, and define remediation strategies and solutions.
• Support the Director of PMO in establishing and enforcing enterprise change management standards.
• Lead operational rollout planning to ensure initiatives are adopted and sustained.
• Initiate transition‑to‑support and operational handoff strategies in partnership with business and IT teams.
• For assigned programs, provide day‑to‑day guidance to project managers working on associated projects.
• Ensure project plans and execution strategies align to larger business objectives and initiatives.
• Help in identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies and plans.
• Facilitate planning sessions, program reviews, and executive updates.
• Provide high‑quality executive‑level reporting and insights.
• Drive decision‑making through clear articulation of risks, tradeoffs, and impacts.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on initiative health and strategic investments.

Skills

Leadership

Change management

Program management

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Tools

Figma

FigJam

Airtable

Smartsheet

Adobe Experience Cloud

Job description

Job Requirements

Salary Range: $121,000 to $154,000 yearly

The Senior Innovation Program Manager is responsible for building operational maturity within the PMO while leading complex, enterprise-wide strategic initiatives at Turning Stone Enterprises. This role operates within a highly matrixed environment, working across business units, functions, and leadership levels to align strategy, priorities, and execution while building portfolio management, strategic planning, and change management capabilities, ensuring the PMO operates as a value-driven, enterprise function.

You will drive strategic decision‑making and execution at scale, ensuring that innovation efforts translate into real business impact. By aligning cross‑functional teams, shaping governance frameworks, and guiding high‑visibility initiatives from concept through implementation, you will play a pivotal role in accelerating enterprise transformation.

What does a Senior Innovation Program Manager do?

• Maintain and reinforce enterprise-wide program standards, best practices, and governance.
• Oversee enterprise roadmap and initiative pipeline visibility, health, and reporting.
• Identify and address operational gaps that limit speed or quality of delivery.
• Lead prioritization efforts based on strategic alignment, capacity, risk, and measurable business value.
• Apply consistent intake processes, acceptance criteria, and evaluation frameworks.
• Implement risk assessment, mitigation, and resilience planning approaches at the program and portfolio level.
• Partner with leadership to evolve tooling, reporting, and AI‑enabled capabilities.
• Translate enterprise strategy and business drivers into actionable, multi‑year program roadmaps.
• Provide leadership and structure for large‑scale, complex initiatives spanning digital, CX, marketing, technology and operations.
• Assess interdependencies and enterprise impacts across initiatives.
• Support strategy‑based decision‑making through data, analysis, and scenario planning.
• Preemptively identify challenges and risks, and define remediation strategies and solutions.
• Support the Director of PMO in establishing and enforcing enterprise change management standards.
• Lead operational rollout planning to ensure initiatives are adopted and sustained.
• Initiate transition‑to‑support and operational handoff strategies in partnership with business and IT teams.
• For assigned programs, provide day‑to‑day guidance to project managers working on associated projects.
• Ensure project plans and execution strategies align to larger business objectives and initiatives.
• Help in identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies and plans.
• Facilitate planning sessions, program reviews, and executive updates.
• Provide high‑quality executive‑level reporting and insights.
• Drive decision‑making through clear articulation of risks, tradeoffs, and impacts.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on initiative health and strategic investments.

Who We Are

We are Turning Stone Enterprises, a dynamic organization with a diverse range of business operations. Among our prominent offerings is the Turning Stone Resort Casino, which has received the prestigious Best of New York Gaming Resort award for an impressive six consecutive years. Complementing this flagship property, we operate satellite casinos like YBR Casino & Sports Book, Point Place Casino, and The Lake House at Sylvan Beach. Beyond gaming and hospitality, our portfolio also includes convenience stores, three 18 hole PGA‑level golf courses, and other unique ventures.

Work Experience

To be successful as a Senior Innovation Program Manager, you'll need:

• 8–12+ years leading large, complex programs in enterprise environments.
• Demonstrated success building team structure, standards, and governance.
• Strong change management experience.
• Experience leading long‑term, cross‑functional initiatives with executive visibility.
• Hospitality, entertainment, gaming, retail, or consumer‑focused experience preferred.
• Experience delivering programs that leverage personalization, automation, or AI/ML to enhance guest experiences or operations.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and execution skills.
• Ability to stand/walk for long periods of time and lift up to 10 pounds.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of digital experience platforms (DXPs), CDPs, or personalization engines.
• Comfortable navigating matrixed teams, changing priorities, and fast‑moving digital ecosystems.
• Experience with Figma/FigJam, Airtable, Smartsheet, and Adobe Experience Cloud or similar products.

What We Value

• Positivity – Team members who are passionate to learn, energetic to hit the ground running and willing to grow in a professional, team‑oriented environment with a focus on guest service.
• Growth Opportunities – We offer a successful journey, including hands‑on training and support to advance your career.
• Empowerment – We believe in our team members. With learning opportunities, career growth potential and recognition of outstanding performance, we encourage our team to take pride in their work.

Benefits

Why choose Turning Stone Enterprises?

• Paid weekly
• Variety of schedules
• Paid time off
• Tuition assistance
• Career‑building professional development
• Discounts from dining to fuel to concerts
• Team Member appreciation events
• Quality healthcare and dental benefits
• A robust 401k retirement plan
• Dealer School
• Finance Scholarship Program

Why You Will Appreciate Us

At Turning Stone Enterprises, we prioritize the well‑being and professional growth of our team members by offering an extensive array of benefits. From comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans to a 401(k) and life insurance, we ensure your health and financial security. Our work‑life balance support includes paid time off, paid holidays, and team member assistance programs. We’re also committed to wellness, with various programs and an upcoming 5,000‑square‑foot onsite medical center.

With over 4,500 team members across Central New York, we focus on delivering exceptional experiences for both our guests and staff. Our resources include training programs, complimentary shuttles, and career development initiatives, helping you reach your professional goals. Whether you're starting your career or advancing it, join us for a rewarding journey of growth and success at Turning Stone Enterprises. We look forward to welcoming you to our team!