Area Director of People & Culture

Sage Hospitality Group is set to hire an Area Director of People & Culture to join us here in Denver supporting both the Crawford and Oxford hotels!

As part of Sage Hospitality Group, we passionately strive to be the best and create excellence in everything we do. We believe in enriching lives one experience at a time. More than a slogan, we empower our employees to make positive impacts on the communities in which we live and work. By providing genuine service we build relationships with our guests and value for our shareholders, and we create unforgettable experiences.

At The Crawford and The Oxford Hotels , you’re not just joining a team—you’re becoming part of Denver’s living history.

Set within two of the city’s most iconic landmarks, our hotels offer distinct yet complementary experiences. Perched above the historic Denver Union Station, The Crawford Hotel blends vibrant energy with refined luxury, placing you at the center of a destination where connection, movement, and modern hospitality come to life. Just steps away, The Oxford Hotel —Denver’s most historic hotel, established in 1891—offers a more intimate, storied setting defined by timeless elegance, quiet confidence, and deeply personalized service.

Our team is united by a shared commitment to thoughtful, attentive service and a genuine passion for creating meaningful guest experiences. We take pride in the details, celebrate individuality, and foster an environment where team members can grow, explore, and make their mark. Work where you belong

The purpose of this role is to design, align, and execute a People & Culture strategy that supports both the strategic and operational needs of multiple properties within an assigned area. The Area Director of People & Culture leads and oversees all People & Culture (Human Resources) activities across the portfolio, balancing compliance, culture, performance, and engagement while addressing evolving business needs and opportunities.

This role serves as a strategic advisor to property leadership and Executive Committees on all people-related matters and partners closely with General Managers. Functional alignment, guidance, and consistency are provided through a dotted-line relationship with the Regional Director of People & Culture. The Area Director ensures People & Culture practices are consistently applied, scalable, and aligned with Sage Hospitality Group values, brand standards, and applicable laws.

Talent Management

• Plan, develop, coordinate, and lead People & Culture functions across assigned properties to attract, develop, motivate, and retain associates in a safe, inclusive, and high-performing environment.
• Lead and oversee recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding strategies for hourly and leadership roles, ensuring consistency, compliance, and alignment with Sage standards.
• Monitor performance management practices across properties, ensuring evaluations are completed timely and performance improvement plans are developed and managed appropriately.
• Partner with property leadership to align staffing models and workforce plans with operational needs and financial goals.

Training

• Assess organizational and property-level needs and oversee the planning, implementation, and coordination of training programs for hourly, supervisory, and management associates.
• Ensure delivery of Sage core training and brand-required programs to build leadership capability, strengthen culture, and reduce risk across the area.

Associate Relations

• Counsel and coach leaders on associate relations matters, including performance, conduct, investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Oversee grievance resolution and exit interview processes, reviewing trends and recommending corrective or preventative actions.
• Support and implement associate engagement and relations initiatives that foster trust, inclusion, and retention across properties.
• Develop and manage budgets related to associate relations, training, recruitment advertising, and People & Culture staffing.
• Oversee People & Culture operations across assigned properties, including coaching and development of People & Culture leaders and teams.
• Ensure associate relations practices are administered consistently, equitably, and in a timely manner across all locations.

Strategic Management

• Provide short- and long-term People & Culture planning aligned with area, property, and Sage-wide strategies.
• Establish People & Culture objectives, metrics, and reporting that support operational excellence and cultural health.
• Participate as a trusted advisor to property leadership teams and Executive Committees.
• Position assigned properties as employers of choice through community partnerships, branding efforts, and associate advocacy.
• Proactively identify potential risk or liability and notify General Managers and the Regional Director of People & Culture with recommended mitigation strategies.

Total Rewards

• Partner in the administration and oversight of hourly wage structures and leadership compensation programs in alignment with corporate guidelines and legal requirements.
• Ensure benefit programs are communicated, administered, and supported consistently across properties in accordance with corporate policies.
• Recommend enhancements to compensation or benefits programs through appropriate approval channels.

Risk/Safety/Security

• Ensure accident prevention, safety, and security policies are consistently followed across assigned properties.
• Align property safety practices with corporate SOPs and support the development of property-specific standards as needed.

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Sage policies, brand standards, and all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws across assigned properties.
• Maintain oversight of associate records, files, and People & Culture systems to ensure audit readiness and confidentiality.
• Oversee People & Culture reporting, analyzing trends and providing leadership with accurate, actionable insights.
• Ensure compliance with union agreements, if applicable, including contractual obligations and reporting requirements.
• Oversee and ensure accurate People & Culture transactions through UKG workflows, including hires, terminations, transfers, and compensation changes.

Education/Formal Training

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management or a related field, or equivalent education and experience preferred.
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification and/or SHRM Certified Professional preferred

Experience

• Four to five years of progressive experience in People & Culture (Human Resources) or a related field.
• Demonstrated success implementing people strategies, programs, and process improvements.
• Union experience preferred, where applicable.

Knowledge/Skills

• Strong executive-level communication, influencing, and advisory skills.
• Ability to think strategically while executing tactically in a fast-paced, multi-property environment.
• Proven ability to partner with and influence senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Bilingual fluency preferred.
• Strong hospitality orientation with the ability to manage complexity and competing priorities.
• High level of judgment, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives while maintaining attention to detail and compliance.
• Strong literacy and comprehension skills required for review and preparation of People & Culture documentation.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying materials approximately 5 percent of the time.
• Occasional bending or kneeling to access files.
• Mobility across properties, with a significant portion of time spent engaging with associates and leaders.
• Periodic standing during training and associate engagement activities.
• Driving may be required occasionally for hearings, meetings, or recruitment activities.

Environment

95% indoor office

• Eligible to participate in Sage bonus plan

• Unlimited paid time off

• Medical, dental, & vision insurance

• Eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) program with employer matching

• Health savings and flexible spending accounts

• Basic Life and AD&D insurance

• Company-paid short-term disability

• Paid FMLA leave for up to a period of 12 weeks

• Employee Assistance Program

• Great discounts on Hotels, Restaurants, and much more.

• Eligible to participate in the Employee Referral Bonus Program. Up to $1,000 per referral.

** The application period will be open for approximately 30 days or until a suitable candidate is identified. We encourage qualified individuals to submit their applications within this timeframe.