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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 luxury hospitality industry.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in HR leadership, preferably in luxury hospitality; CIPD qualification required.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to influence company culture and colleague experience.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
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 LinkedIn groups, and connect with current or former employees of Hotel Café Royal to gain insights into their culture and values.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the latest trends in People & Culture within the hospitality industry. Being knowledgeable about innovative practices can help you stand out during discussions and demonstrate your commitment to driving cultural transformation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led cultural change in previous roles. Highlighting measurable outcomes will showcase your ability to align people strategies with business goals effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with Hotel Café Royal's vision and values. Be ready to articulate how your leadership style and experience can help bring these to life, ensuring they resonate throughout the organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of People & Culture
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, take time to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Director of People & Culture position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only showcases your qualifications but also reflects your passion for shaping culture in a luxury hospitality environment. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can bring the hotel’s vision to life.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise your progressive HR leadership experience, particularly in hospitality or luxury settings. Include specific achievements related to cultural transformation and people strategy that align with the hotel’s goals.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, convey your leadership style and how it aligns with the hotel’s values of integrity, creativity, excellence, and care. Provide examples of how you have successfully led teams and driven engagement in previous roles.
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. Prepare to discuss your approach to recruitment, succession planning, and how you ensure a future-ready team that aligns with the hotel’s goals.
