Director of Information Technology

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Information Technology leads Riviera Dining Group’s technology strategy, operations, security, and AI adoption across all venues and the corporate office. This role partners with executive leadership to align technology and AI investments with business growth, and owns the company’s infrastructure, cybersecurity, systems integrations, and technology vendor relationships.

This is a hands-on leadership role. The Director is accountable for ensuring every venue, from opening day forward, runs on secure, reliable, well-supported systems, while building the governance, data foundation, and team capabilities RDG needs to use AI responsibly and effectively. The Director reports to the Chief Financial Officer, with a dotted line to the Chief People Officer.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technology Strategy & Leadership

Develop and execute a multi-year technology roadmap aligned with RDG’s growth, operational, and guest experience goals.

Prepare and manage the annual technology budget, including capital planning, hardware lifecycle, and software spend.

Serve as the executive team’s lead technology advisor, recommending new systems and changes to business processes that drive efficiency.

Select, negotiate, and manage technology vendors and contracts, holding partners to defined service levels.

Build and scale RDG’s technology support capabilities, including staffing and outside partners, as the company grows.

Define and report on technology KPIs, including system uptime, support response times, security posture, and project delivery.

AI & Innovation

Develop and maintain RDG’s AI strategy, acceptable use policy, and approved-tools list in partnership with Finance and HR.

Evaluate AI-enabled tools and vendor AI features for business value, data privacy, security, and bias risk before adoption.

Lead pilots and implementation of approved AI tools, measuring adoption and business impact.

Identify and prioritize high-value AI use cases, including forecasting, scheduling, inventory, guest experience, and back-office automation.

Lead AI literacy and enablement for corporate and venue leaders.

Cybersecurity & Compliance

Own the cybersecurity program, including multi-factor authentication, endpoint protection, backup and disaster recovery, incident response, and security awareness training.

Maintain PCI DSS compliance across all payment environments.

Maintain IT audit readiness and support financial audit and cyber insurance requirements.

Establish, communicate, and enforce company-wide IT security policies, standards, and practices.

Manage chain of custody and confidentiality for CCTV footage requests, coordinating with HR on investigations and litigation holds.

Systems, Data & Integrations

Own integrations across HR and other department systems, implementing new technology as necessary and ensuring data accuracy and reliable reporting.

Implement automated joiner/mover/leaver access management tied to the HRIS, removing access within 24 hours of separation and immediately for involuntary separations.

Manage the SaaS portfolio, including license utilization, renewals, and consolidation.

Administer Microsoft 365, company email, distribution lists, and collaboration tools.

Develop and maintain documentation of all hardware, systems, network architecture, and software licensing.

Infrastructure & Venue Operations

Oversee administration, security, configuration, and troubleshooting of all venue and corporate hardware, software, networks, Wi-Fi, phone, audio-visual, and camera systems.

Own POS, reservations, back-of-house, kitchen, and guest-facing technology (online ordering, guest Wi-Fi, digital menus), ensuring reliability during service.

Lead technology support and helpdesk processes for venues and corporate teams, including after-hours escalation for operations.

Partner with HR to set up equipment, accounts, and system access for new team members.

Manage warranties, replacements, and upgrades of all hardware and infrastructure.

Growth & New Venue Openings

Build and maintain a standard technology opening playbook for new venues (network, POS, Wi-Fi, CCTV, audio-visual, guest technology, and user setup) and lead its execution for all new builds.

Serve as technical project lead for new construction, renovations, installations, and system upgrades.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent certification and demonstrated experience.

10+ years of progressive IT experience, including 5+ years leading technology for a multi-unit hospitality, restaurant, or hotel organization (preferred)

Deep experience with Microsoft 365, Entra ID (Azure AD), Intune, and cloud/SaaS environments.

Hands-on experience with hospitality POS (Oracle MICROS Simphony or comparable), PMS, reservations, back-office, and kitchen systems.

Strong knowledge of network infrastructure, Wi-Fi, VoIP phone systems, and venue camera systems.

Demonstrated experience implementing cybersecurity controls and PCI DSS compliance.

Practical experience evaluating, deploying, or governing AI tools in a business setting.

Proven vendor management and contract negotiation experience.

Ability to explain technical topics clearly to executives and non-technical team members; excellent oral and written communication skills.

Discretion with confidential information and consistently sound judgment.

Professional demeanor and patience with team members at all levels of the organization.

Must be able to work flexible days and hours, including some weekends and on-call availability.

Ability to travel up to 30% annually to venues, including Winter Park.

Preferred certifications: CISSP, CISM, Microsoft 365/Azure, ITIL, or equivalent.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

General office work, including extended computer use and typing, which involves repetitive motion.

Sitting in a stationary position for several hours within the day.

Ability to work in tight spaces (server rooms, network closets) and back-of-house venue areas while maintaining systems.

Occasional use of ladders to install or service network, audio-visual, and camera equipment.

Occasional lifting and carrying of equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 lbs.