Head of People & Culture
Hospitality Hire
Full-time
On-site
Western Cape, Portugal
Company Culture & Engagement
Hospitality Hire is recruiting a Head of People & Culture on behalf of a luxury hotel in Cape Town. (Hotel Experience is essential for this role)
This senior leadership role forms part of the hotel’s long-term growth and refinement strategy and is central to driving people excellence within a luxury hospitality environment.
This position is not operationally junior and is suited to an experienced hospitality HR leader who operates confidently at Executive and Board level while remaining hands-on and commercially involved.
This senior leadership role forms part of the hotel’s long-term growth and refinement strategy and is central to driving people excellence within a luxury hospitality environment.
This position is not operationally junior and is suited to an experienced hospitality HR leader who operates confidently at Executive and Board level while remaining hands-on and commercially involved.
Role Overview
The Head of People & Culture leads the hotel’s people strategy, recruitment frameworks, employee relations, and organisational development, ensuring alignment with the hotel’s luxury positioning and business objectives.The role acts as a strategic partner to the General Manager, Executive Committee, and Board, while overseeing day-to-day HR operations through the HR Manager. An HR Manager and HR Practitioner will report directly into this role.
Minimum Requirements (Non-Negotiable)
Applicants must clearly demonstrate the following on their CV to be considered:- Valid South African ID or valid work permit
- Minimum 8–10+ years’ HR experience with proven hotel experience (non-negotiable)
- Experience in a senior HR leadership role, such as:
– Head of HR / People & Culture
– Senior HR Manager
– HR Business Partner
- Strategic HR leadership within a hospitality environment
- Recruitment strategy and workforce planning across multiple hotel departments
- Employee relations, including complex disciplinary processes and CCMA matters
- Labour legislation compliance and IR best practice
- Working directly with Executive teams and Boards
- Operate at strategic, operational, and advisory levels simultaneously
- Provide HR leadership, guidance, and mentorship to senior HR team members
- Balance commercial priorities with employee engagement and culture
- Drive retention, leadership development, and organisational effectiveness
- HR administration, payroll coordination, and compliance reporting
- HR metrics, turnover analysis, and engagement trends
- Training frameworks, performance management, and leadership development
- High-volume hospitality environments
- Luxury service culture and brand-aligned people practices
- Remain operationally involved while leading at a strategic level
Applications without proven hotel HR leadership experience will not be shortlisted.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the hotel’s People & Culture strategy aligned to business and service objectives
- Act as a senior HR advisor to the General Manager, Executive Committee, and Board
- Lead workforce planning, succession planning, and organisational design
- Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to the HR Manager and HR team
- Own and oversee recruitment strategy across all hotel departments
- Build sustainable talent pipelines and employer branding initiatives
- Guide senior leadership recruitment and critical appointments
- Lead all employee relations and IR matters, including CCMA cases and union engagement where applicable
- Ensure compliance with labour legislation, hotel policies, and best HR practices
- Drive retention strategies within a high-volume hospitality environment
- Oversee training frameworks, leadership development, and performance management
- Embed a strong service culture aligned with luxury hospitality standards
- Monitor HR administration, payroll coordination, and reporting through the HR Manager
- Track HR metrics, turnover, compliance, and engagement trends
On Offer
- Competitive, market-related executive salary
- Company contribution toward medical aid and pension fund
- Staff meals on duty
- Training and leadership development opportunities
- Staff discounts on accommodation, dining, and hotel facilities
- Professional, structured luxury hotel environment
- Opportunity to shape and lead people strategy at executive level
Applications
All applications are reviewed carefully. If you do not hear from us within two weeks, please accept our thanks for your interest.Recruitment is conducted in line with the client’s Employment Equity Plan.