At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the People & Culture strategy for a new luxury hotel in London.
- Company: Join an innovative international hospitality group launching Delano London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, development opportunities, and a chance to shape a unique culture.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to redefining hospitality.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a visionary brand and create exceptional guest experiences.
- Qualifications: Dynamic HR professional with hospitality experience and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 ÂŁ per year.
We are seeking an exceptional Director of People & Culture to join the pre-opening team of Delano London. As a strategic partner to the General Manager and Leadership team, you will define and lead the People & Culture strategy, shaping a distinctive culture that reflects the spirit and ambition of the brand from day one.
You will be responsible for building a high-performing team, embedding strong values and behaviours, and ensuring the hotel attracts, develops, and retains exceptional talent. Through thoughtful engagement initiatives, progressive people practices, and a strong focus on performance and compliance, you will create an environment where colleagues thrive and the guest experience is elevated as a result.
Set to open its doors in 2026, Delano London will be an intimate and refined urban sanctuary in South Kensington, bringing the brand’s iconic understated glamour to one of London’s most prestigious addresses at 60 Hyde Park Gate, overlooking Hyde Park and moments from the city’s leading cultural institutions. The 67-key luxury retreat will blend soft minimalist design, generous living spaces and park views creating a distinctive lifestyle destination where design, dining, nightlife and wellbeing seamlessly converge.
What you’ll do…
- Be a true partner to the business for anything that relates to looking after their teams, providing advice & guidance.
- Implement and manage our policies, processes, and procedures, ensuring we are compliant with local employment law in all areas.
- Position our brand as an employer of choice through effective recruitment strategies that attract talent and build a talent pool for effective succession planning within the business.
- Work with heads of department on putting in place development opportunities & paths for the team, with input from our Director of L&D.
- Keep the culture of the hotel alive by embedding Delano values, promoting a fair, safe and inclusive environment and leading initiatives that engage and empower the team.
- Drive our talent review process from coffee chats, annual reviews through to talent and career management.
- Lead activities under “Do More”, our global initiative to work with local charities & community projects in the cities we call home.
- Support managers on employee relations and performance management cases.
- Work with the central team on European/Global projects and rollouts. We want to hear your ideas and get your input on how to design effective initiatives and deliver innovative solutions.
What we’re looking for…
- We are seeking a dynamic HR professional with a minimum of two years’ progressive experience across all areas of Human Resources within the hospitality sector.
- Pre-opening experience is highly advantageous, along with proven capability in managing high-volume recruitment in a fast-paced environment.
- You are culturally aware and globally minded, able to inspire teams in diverse, international environments.
- A strong working knowledge of employee relations, employment legislation, and performance management processes is essential.
- You are an excellent relationship builder, confident in working with other teams, leaders and ownership; you’re passionate about what we can achieve together.
What’s in it for you…
- The opportunity to launch a visionary hospitality brand in London and have a real impact on its success.
- Join an innovative, fast-growing, international group that’s committed to not just building new hotels but building a global brand.
- The chance to challenge the norm and work in an environment that is both creative and rewarding.
- Become part of a team that’s very passionate about creating great hospitality experiences and building a portfolio of brands.
- A competitive package and plenty of opportunity for development.
Director of People & Culture in London employer: Delano
Contact Detail:
Delano Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of People & Culture in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the hospitality industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for People & Culture! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share your ideas on how to create an engaging workplace. This will not only showcase your expertise but also demonstrate that you’re genuinely invested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how you would handle various HR scenarios, especially in a pre-opening context. Practising your responses can help you feel more confident and articulate when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows initiative and gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm for joining the Delano London team right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of People & Culture in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about shaping a distinctive culture and building a high-performing team at Delano London.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in HR within the hospitality sector. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've managed recruitment and developed talent, so don’t hold back!
Be Authentic: We value authenticity, so be yourself in your application. Share your unique perspective on people and culture, and how you can contribute to our vision of creating an inclusive environment where everyone thrives.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our pre-opening team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Delano
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Delano London's values, mission, and culture. Understand what makes them unique in the hospitality sector, especially as they prepare to open their doors. This knowledge will help you align your answers with their vision and demonstrate your genuine interest.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
As a Director of People & Culture, you'll need to think strategically. Prepare examples of how you've successfully implemented people strategies in previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you would approach building a high-performing team and embedding strong values at Delano London.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Think about potential challenges that might arise in a pre-opening environment. Prepare to discuss how you would handle employee relations, performance management, and compliance issues. This will show your practical understanding of the role and your readiness to tackle real-world situations.
✨Be Ready to Share Your Vision
Delano London is looking for someone who can shape its culture from day one. Be prepared to articulate your vision for creating an inclusive and engaging workplace. Discuss specific initiatives you would implement to attract and retain exceptional talent, and how you would keep the hotel’s culture alive.