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.