Assistant Director of People & Culture

As an Assistant Director of People & Culture, you will play a pivotal role in fostering a high-performing, people-focused culture at the Royal Garden Hotel. This multifaceted position involves implementing innovative people strategies, leading the People & Culture team, and ensuring the seamless delivery of processes that align with our 5-star standards.

Whats in this for you? We offer a wide range of benefits and have excellent opportunities for career advancement and development and provide exceptional training programs for all employees as well as supervisors and managers:

• Enjoy a complimentary guest experience stay at our hotel within your first 6 months of service (accommodation and breakfast for 2 people).
• Indulge in free meals featuring a healthy and balanced menu, complete with hot and cold buffet options.
• Enhanced annual leave starting at 30 days per year, with an additional day added each year, up to a maximum of 33 days.
• Get a 50% discount in our Food & Beverage outlets - Min Jiang, Origin Kensington or Piano Bar.
• Be rewarded with £500-£1300 as a thank you through our Refer a Friend recruitment incentives.
• Monthly team appreciation events to celebrate team member achievements.
• Social Events including Annual Awards, Annual Team Member party, gala dinners and more.
• Access career development and progression opportunities.
• 1 day (paid - contractual hours) per year to volunteer for a cause you support, in addition to annual holiday leave.
• Suit Allowance with dry-cleaning allowance for non-uniformed team members.
• Private medical insurance & Medicash Scheme Enhanced Employers pension from day one.
• Receive mental health support from our trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Access our welfare service via the Employee Assistance Program, providing support through Health Assured.
• Well-being programs- Eye test vouchers and contributions towards glasses, various wellbeing activities focused on mental and physical health, life assurance well-being/multi faith room.

The key responsibilities of the Assistant Director of People & Culture include:

• Collaborate with the Director of People & Culture to align people-related strategies and processes with the hotels vision, values, and goals, ensuring compliance with employment law and promoting a high-performing workplace culture.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the People & Culture team, fostering a culture of excellence and ensuring consistent delivery of exceptional service to team members and the wider business.
• Oversee the review, development, and implementation of people policies and procedures, ensuring they meet legal standards, align with business objectives, and support the hotels commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Manage complex employee relations matters, including conflicts, investigations, disciplinaries, and terminations, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and best practices while maintaining a fair and supportive environment.
• Oversee recruitment and selection activities, ensuring best practices in hiring processes, compliance with legal requirements, and effective onboarding to enhance retention and support career development initiatives.
• Monitor key People metrics such as turnover rates, absence rates, and cost-per-hire, utilising analytics to identify trends and recommend improvements to enhance team performance and efficiency.
• Drive employee engagement initiatives, including surveys, recognition programs, and social events, while supporting a safe and inclusive work environment that champions diversity and promotes wellbeing.
• Work closely with the Learning & Development Manager to design, implement, and oversee career development programs, training initiatives, and succession planning to support employee growth and organizational excellence.
• Lead and manage special projects, including system improvements and process streamlining initiatives, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of People & Culture operations, ensuring alignment with the hotels strategic objectives.
• Assist in the preparation and management of the People & Culture budget, ensuring effective control of expenditures related to employee welfare, recruitment, and training, while maintaining accurate financial records and achieving cost efficiencies.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• 3+ years proven experience of working in a HR / P&C Team at senior level within a hotel and Learning & Development.
• Excellent IT skills specifically MS Office; particularly Word, Excel and Outlook, also keen knowledge and experience of the importance of databases and their role in providing accurate management information.
• Excellent mentorship and leadership skills.
• Project management.
• Strong understanding of employment law.
• Exceptional communication skills, writing skills, interpersonal skills, and ethical mindset.

Who are we? The Royal Garden Hotel strives to be internationally recognised as five-star destination hotel, which offers excellent value where distinction in service comes naturally. We are located in Kensington High Street, side-by-side to Kensington Palace and Park.

When joining the Royal Garden team, you will be part of a professional, dedicated and enthusiastic environment, where we ensure that you will have a unique individual experience, from onboarding, learning and development to career progression - we are here to support you throughout your journey.

Eligibility: In line with the requirements of the Asylum & Immigration Act 1996, all applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK, or be able to acquire such eligibility. Documented evidence of eligibility will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process.

We're Here to Support You: We are proud to celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process such as support with your application, alternative formats or changes to the assessment process, please contact our People & Culture team by phone or email so we can support you accordingly.