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.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a visionary brand and create exceptional guest experiences.
- Qualifications: Dynamic HR professional with experience in hospitality and high-volume recruitment.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to redefining hospitality.
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.
Qualifications
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.
Additional Information
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 employer: Ennismore
Contact Detail:
Ennismore Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of People & Culture
✨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 scenarios related to employee relations and performance management. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and ready to impress the interview panel.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Delano London. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of People & Culture
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director of People & Culture role. Highlight your experience in hospitality HR, especially any pre-opening projects you've been involved in. We want to see how your skills align with our vision for Delano London!
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for creating a distinctive culture shine through in your application. Share examples of how you've engaged teams and fostered inclusive environments in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication, so don’t be afraid to show us what you can bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ennismore
✨Know the Brand Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Delano London's brand values and culture. Understand what makes them unique in the hospitality sector and be ready to discuss how you can embody and promote these values as the Director of People & Culture.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've successfully implemented people and culture strategies in previous roles. Highlight your experience with high-volume recruitment and how you've built talent pools, as this will resonate well with their focus on attracting and retaining exceptional talent.
✨Engagement Initiatives Matter
Think about innovative engagement initiatives you've led or been a part of. Be ready to share ideas on how you would keep the culture alive at Delano London, especially in a pre-opening phase, and how you can empower teams to thrive.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in employee relations and performance management. Prepare to discuss specific scenarios where you've navigated challenges, ensuring you demonstrate your ability to support managers and foster a positive work environment.