Head of People & Culture

SUMMARY:
Hospitality Hire is recruiting a Head of People & Culture on behalf of a luxury hotel in Cape Town. (Hotel Experience is essential for this role)
This senior leadership role forms part of the hotel’s long-term growth and refinement strategy and is central to driving people excellence within a luxury hospitality environment.
This position is not operationally junior and is suited to an experienced hospitality HR leader who operates confidently at Executive and Board level while remaining hands-on and commercially involved.

POSITION INFO:

Role Overview

Minimum Requirements (Non-Negotiable)

• Valid South African ID or valid work permit
• Minimum 8–10+ years’ HR experience with proven hotel experience (non-negotiable)
• Experience in a senior HR leadership role, such as:
  – Head of HR / People & Culture
  – Senior HR Manager
  – HR Business Partner

• Strategic HR leadership within a hospitality environment
• Recruitment strategy and workforce planning across multiple hotel departments
• Employee relations, including complex disciplinary processes and CCMA matters
• Labour legislation compliance and IR best practice
• Working directly with Executive teams and Boards

• Operate at strategic, operational, and advisory levels simultaneously
• Provide HR leadership, guidance, and mentorship to senior HR team members
• Balance commercial priorities with employee engagement and culture
• Drive retention, leadership development, and organisational effectiveness

• HR administration, payroll coordination, and compliance reporting
• HR metrics, turnover analysis, and engagement trends
• Training frameworks, performance management, and leadership development

• High-volume hospitality environments
• Luxury service culture and brand-aligned people practices

• Remain operationally involved while leading at a strategic level

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the hotel’s People & Culture strategy aligned to business and service objectives
• Act as a senior HR advisor to the General Manager, Executive Committee, and Board
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning, and organisational design
• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to the HR Manager and HR team
• Own and oversee recruitment strategy across all hotel departments
• Build sustainable talent pipelines and employer branding initiatives
• Guide senior leadership recruitment and critical appointments
• Lead all employee relations and IR matters, including CCMA cases and union engagement where applicable
• Ensure compliance with labour legislation, hotel policies, and best HR practices
• Drive retention strategies within a high-volume hospitality environment
• Oversee training frameworks, leadership development, and performance management
• Embed a strong service culture aligned with luxury hospitality standards
• Monitor HR administration, payroll coordination, and reporting through the HR Manager
• Track HR metrics, turnover, compliance, and engagement trends

On Offer

• Competitive, market-related executive salary
• Company contribution toward medical aid and pension fund
• Staff meals on duty
• Training and leadership development opportunities
• Staff discounts on accommodation, dining, and hotel facilities
• Professional, structured luxury hotel environment
• Opportunity to shape and lead people strategy at executive level

Applications