Head of People & Culture

SUMMARY:
Hotel's people strategy, recruitment frameworks, employee relations, IR

POSITION INFO:

At The President Hotel, exceptional guest experiences are driven by exceptional people. As the hotel continues its journey toward being recognised as a luxury destination, the People & Culture function plays a central role in shaping service excellence, leadership capability, and organisational effectiveness.

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 is not an operationally junior role and is suited to an experienced hospitality HR leader who operates confidently at Executive and Board level, while remaining hands-on and commercially engaged.

The Head of People & Culture leads the hotel’s people strategy, recruitment frameworks, employee relations, and organisational development, ensuring alignment with the hotel’s luxury positioning and business objectives. The role acts as a strategic partner to the General Manager, Executive Committee, and Board, while overseeing day-to-day HR operations through the HR Manager. An HR Manager and HR Practitioner will report directly into this role.

Key Responsibilities

People & Culture Strategy & Leadership:

• Develop and execute the hotel’s People & Culture strategy aligned to business, service, and luxury objectives
• Act as a senior HR advisor to the General Manager, Executive Committee, and Board
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning, and organisational design
• Balance commercial priorities with employee engagement, culture, and retention
• Embed a strong service culture aligned with luxury hospitality standards

Recruitment, Talent & Organisational Development:

• Own and oversee recruitment strategy across all hotel departments
• Build sustainable talent pipelines and employer branding initiatives
• Guide senior leadership recruitment and critical appointments
• Drive leadership development, training frameworks, and performance management
• Support retention strategies within a high-volume hospitality environment

Employee Relations, Compliance & Governance:

• Lead all employee relations and IR matters, including complex disciplinary processes and CCMA cases
• Ensure compliance with labour legislation, hotel policies, and HR best practice
• Oversee union engagement where applicable
• Provide HR leadership, guidance, and mentorship to the HR Manager and HR team

HR Operations, Reporting & Oversight:

• Oversee HR administration, payroll coordination, and compliance reporting through the HR Manager
• Monitor HR metrics including turnover, engagement, and compliance trends
• Analyse people data to identify risks, opportunities, and improvement areas
• Ensure HR processes support operational efficiency and business performance

Minimum Requirements (Non-Negotiable)

Applicants must clearly demonstrate the following on their CV to be considered:

• 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
• Proven experience in:
• 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
• Demonstrated ability to:
• Operate at strategic, operational, and advisory levels simultaneously
• Provide leadership and mentorship to senior HR team members
• Drive retention, leadership development, and organisational effectiveness
• Experience overseeing:
• HR administration, payroll coordination, and compliance reporting
• HR metrics, turnover analysis, and engagement trends
• Training frameworks and performance management systems
• Familiarity with:
• High-volume hospitality environments
• Luxury service culture and brand-aligned people practices
• Willingness to:
• Remain operationally involved while leading at a strategic level
• Professional presentation and conduct aligned with luxury hotel standards is essential

Why Work With Us

• Be part of a hotel committed to sincere, memorable hospitality
• Play a key executive role in shaping people strategy within a luxury environment
• Work closely with the General Manager, Executive Committee, and Board
• Structured, professional hospitality environment with clear leadership frameworks
• Opportunity to drive long-term people excellence and organisational impact

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

Recruitment is aligned with the company’s Employment Equity Plan.

NB! This job is now closed. You can apply for other jobs by uploading your CV.