Assistant Director of People & Culture

We are seeking a collaborative and people-centred Assistant Director of People & Culture to join our luxury hospitality team. In this senior HR leadership role, you will partner closely with the Director of People & Culture to shape and deliver a people strategy that drives organisational excellence, nurtures an inclusive workplace culture, and elevates the team member experience across all levels of the business. You will bring a strong operational HR background combined with a genuine passion for people, culture, and continuous improvement. Acting as a trusted advisor to both leadership and team members, you will oversee day-to-day HR operations, ensure compliance with applicable labour laws and company policies, and champion initiatives that foster belonging, engagement, and professional growth. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional ready to make a meaningful impact within a dynamic, service-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Director of People & Culture to develop, implement, and continuously refine the organisation's people strategy in alignment with overall business objectives
• Oversee and manage the full spectrum of HR operations, including recruitment and onboarding, performance management, team member relations, learning and development, compensation and benefits, and offboarding
• Serve as a key advisor and first point of escalation for managers and team members on complex HR matters, including team member relations issues, disciplinary processes, and conflict resolution
• Ensure consistent compliance with all applicable local, regional, and national labour laws, employment legislation, and internal policies, updating frameworks proactively as regulations evolve
• Lead, mentor, and develop the People & Culture team, fostering a high-performance, collaborative, and growth-oriented team culture
• Design and drive team member engagement initiatives, wellbeing programmes, and culture-building activities that reflect the organisation's values and enhance retention
• Support workforce planning efforts, including talent pipeline development, succession planning, and organisational design
• Analyse HR metrics and people data to generate actionable insights, present findings to senior leadership, and inform evidence-based decision-making
• Oversee the administration and continuous improvement of HR information systems (HRIS), ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and process efficiency
• Collaborate cross-functionally with department heads to understand business needs and provide proactive, solution-focused HR support
• Lead or contribute to HR projects and change management initiatives, ensuring smooth implementation and clear communication across the organisation
• Support the development and delivery of management capability programmes, coaching leaders to build confident and inclusive people management practices
• Champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) across all HR processes, policies, and cultural initiatives, ensuring equitable outcomes for all team members
• Manage HR budgets, vendor relationships, and third-party service providers where applicable, ensuring value for money and alignment with organisational standards
• Monitor industry trends and emerging HR best practices, bringing forward-thinking recommendations to continuously evolve the People & Culture function

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organisational Psychology, or a related field
• Professional HR certification such as CIPD (Level 7 or equivalent), SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or a recognised regional equivalent
• Minimum of 6-8 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or managerial HR role, ideally within the luxury hospitality
• Demonstrated knowledge of employment law, HR compliance frameworks, and best practices across the full team member lifecycle
• Proven experience managing and developing HR teams, with strong coaching, mentoring, and leadership capabilities
• Solid track record of contributing to or leading HR strategy development and successful implementation at an organisational level
• Experience handling complex and sensitive team member relations matters with sound judgement, discretion, and professionalism
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret HR data, identify trends, and translate insights into clear, practical recommendations
• Proficiency in HRIS platforms and Microsoft Office Suite, with familiarity with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and performance management tools
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across all levels of an organisation
• Highly organised, with the demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities effectively in a fast-paced, people-focused environment
• Demonstrated and active commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and diverse workplaces

Nice-to-Have

• Experience working within a multi-property, multi-brand, or international luxury hospitality environment
• Familiarity with pre-opening hotel or large-scale organisational launch processes
• Exposure to total rewards strategy, including compensation benchmarking and benefits design
• Experience leading or contributing to employer branding and talent attraction strategies
• Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the organisation's operating region
• Experience with change management frameworks and organisational development methodologies
• Familiarity with HR technology implementations or system migrations
• Active participation in professional HR networks, industry bodies, or thought leadership communities