Assistant Manager of People & Culture

Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 240,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara is seeking an experienced Assistant Manager of People & Culture to support daily P&C operations, drive engagement, and oversee recruitment, payroll, and employee relations in a fast-paced hospitality environment.

The role reports to the Director of P&C and requires strong knowledge of UAE Labour Law, compliance, and HR systems, with demonstrated leadership capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director of People & Culture in budgeting, forecasts, and action plans.

Skills

Recruitment

Employee Relations

Payroll

Performance management

HR Operations

HR Systems

Excel

Word

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / Business / Hospitality

Tools

HRIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Location:Desert Islands Resort & Spa by AnantaraAnantara Hotels & Resorts is a global luxury hotel and resort brand rooted in Thai culture, with an intrinsic sense of authentic hospitality. Inspired by the Sanskrit word meaning ‘without end’, our spirit embodies freedom, movement, and harmony. We believe every journey should leave a lasting impression — for our guests and for our people.Founded in 2001 in Thailand, we have since expanded across the world, welcoming guests in some of the world’s most captivating locales — from pristine beaches and private islands to ancient sites and vibrant metropolises. If you are driven by a passion for generosity, warmth and heartfelt hospitality, Anantara offers a career without limits.We are looking for an experienced and motivated Assistant Manager of People & Culture to join our team. The role will support the Director of People & Culture in managing day-to-day P&C operations, team member engagement, recruitment, employee relations, and compliance with UAE labour regulations.Strategy & PlanningAssist the Director of P&C in preparing the P&C budget, forecasts, and annual action plans.Support the implementation of P&C initiatives and business objectives.P&C OperationsEnsure P&C policies, procedures, and processes are followed and continuously improved.Support recruitment, onboarding, performance management, employee relations, discipline, and general P&C administration.Ensure P&C practices comply with UAE Labour Law and company standards.Coordinate work permits, visas, and other employment-related matters.Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential team member records.Compensation & BenefitsSupport the implementation and administration of salary and benefits policies.Monitor incentive, bonus, and other team member benefit programs.Assist with payroll and compensation-related matters when required.Team Member Communication & EngagementSupport effective communication of key messages and company updates to team members.Promote team member engagement activities and encourage feedback.Maintain positive relationships with team members and support the resolution of grievances and employee concerns.Team Member Accommodation & TransportCoordinate team member transportation requirements and related operational matters.Work closely with Housing, Transport, and other departments to resolve team member concerns.Learning & DevelopmentSupport the planning and coordination of training and development activities.Monitor training records and support the implementation of learning initiatives.Qualifications and ExperienceBachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field.Minimum 3–5 years of experience in People & Culture / Human Resources , preferably within the hospitality industry.Good knowledge of UAE Labour Law and HR practices.Experience in recruitment, employee relations, payroll, performance management, and general HR operations.Good knowledge of HR systems and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.Strong communication and interpersonal skills.Good organisational and time-management skills.Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism.Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced hospitality environment.Good command of English, both written and spoken.Previous supervisory or team leadership experience will be an advantage.Not the right fit? Set up email alerts as new job postings become available that meet your interest!