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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cultural transformation and develop people strategies for a luxury hotel.
- Company: Join Hotel Café Royal, an iconic luxury hotel in London, shaping its future.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative leadership team impacting the hospitality industry.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in HR leadership, preferably in luxury hospitality; CIPD qualification required.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to influence a global brand's culture and values.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
Job Description
Are you a visionary leader in People & Culture, ready to shape the future of one of London’s most iconic luxury hotels?
Hotel Café Royal is entering an exciting phase of cultural evolution, and we are seeking an experienced and inspirational Director of People & Culture to lead this transformation. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (EXCOM), you will report directly to the General Manager, with a dotted line to the VP of People & Culture / Owner’s Representative.
This is more than an HR role. It is a transformative leadership position – strategically guiding our people vision while ensuring operational excellence across the colleague journey.
Your Impact
As Director of People & Culture, you will:
- Bring Our Vision to Life: Lead the rollout of a new vision and values framework, embedding it into daily behaviours, decisions, and guest interactions.
- Shape the Future Workforce: Develop and deliver people strategies that elevate colleague engagement, service culture, and leadership development.
- Build a Culture of Excellence: Champion organisational integrity, performance, and care – ensuring the colleague experience reflects our position among global luxury hospitality leaders.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Cultural Leadership
- Lead cultural transformation initiatives and drive strategic people planning in alignment with hotel goals.
- Serve as the guardian of our values, ensuring they are lived authentically throughout the business.
People Strategy & Experience
- Oversee all People & Culture functions including workforce planning, L&D, recognition, compensation, and employee relations.
- Drive colleague experience from recruitment through alumni engagement, with a focus on care, consistency, and luxury-level standards.
Learning & Leadership Development
- Foster a strong service and leadership culture through high-impact training, coaching, and development initiatives.
Colleague Engagement & Communication
- Launch and lead engagement strategies and internal communications that promote belonging, purpose, and clarity.
Workforce & Organisational Planning
- Manage strategic recruitment, organisational design, and succession planning to ensure a future-ready team.
Compliance & Commercial Oversight
- Ensure legal compliance, operational efficiency, and responsible management of People & Culture budgets and workforce data.
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred)
- CIPD Chartered Member or equivalent HR qualification
- Minimum 10 years of progressive HR leadership, including 5+ years in a senior hospitality or luxury environment
- Deep understanding of UK employment law and best practices in global luxury hospitality
- Proven track record in leading culture change and values-based leadership
You Are…
- A strategic thinker who can operationalise vision into meaningful people initiatives
- A cultural leader with passion for service, team development, and authenticity
- Commercially savvy, making data-informed decisions that support business goals
- Highly emotionally intelligent, with the confidence and calm to lead through complexity
- An inclusive and inspiring communicator who builds strong relationships across all levels
Our Vision & Values
- Our Vision: To be recognised as one of the world’s leading modern hotels.
- The Artistry of Our People: Our combined talent, skills, expertise, and flair create inspiring environments and individual experiences that feel Beautifully Composed.
- Our Values: Shape our culture and guide how we deliver our vision—through integrity, creativity, excellence, and care.
Director of People & Culture employer: Hotel Cafe Royal
Contact Detail:
Hotel Cafe Royal Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of People & Culture
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the luxury hospitality sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and connect with current or former employees of Hotel Café Royal to gain insights into their culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 2
Demonstrate your understanding of cultural transformation by sharing examples from your previous roles. Be prepared to discuss specific initiatives you've led that align with the values and vision of Hotel Café Royal.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in people strategy and engagement within the luxury hospitality industry. This knowledge will help you articulate how you can contribute to the hotel's goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare thoughtful questions about the hotel’s current culture and future plans. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the hotel aligns with your own values and leadership style.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of People & Culture
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take time to thoroughly read the job description for the Director of People & Culture position. Understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in HR leadership, particularly in hospitality or luxury environments. Emphasise your achievements in cultural transformation and people strategy.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for shaping culture and your strategic vision for the role. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can bring the hotel’s vision to life.
Showcase Emotional Intelligence: In your application, reflect on your emotional intelligence and communication skills. Provide examples of how you've built strong relationships and led teams through complex situations, as this is crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hotel Cafe Royal
✨Understand the Vision and Values
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the hotel's vision and values. Be prepared to discuss how you can embody these in your leadership style and how you would implement them within the team.
✨Showcase Your Cultural Leadership Experience
Highlight your previous experiences in leading cultural transformation initiatives. Share specific examples of how you've successfully driven change in a hospitality or luxury environment, focusing on the impact of your strategies.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence
As a Director of People & Culture, emotional intelligence is key. Be ready to discuss situations where you've navigated complex interpersonal dynamics and how you fostered an inclusive environment that promotes belonging and clarity.
✨Prepare for Strategic Questions
Expect questions about strategic workforce planning and organisational design. Think about how you would approach recruitment and succession planning to ensure a future-ready team, and be ready to share your insights on best practices in the industry.
