Director, People & Culture

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairmont The Palm in Dubai seeks a seasoned Head of People & Culture to develop and implement strategies, partner with the executive team, and manage budgets and staffing to support service excellence.

The role requires leadership experience in hospitality, strong communication, and deep knowledge of HR policy and UAE labour laws. Join a luxury property with a focus on inclusivity and high service standards.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in People & Culture with leadership experience.
• Hospitality experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.
• Degree or diploma in a related field; CPHR designation is a plus.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to handle confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement P&C strategies aligned with hotel objectives.
• Partner with GM and leadership to integrate people priorities into business planning.
• Lead annual P&C budget and workforce plan, aligning staffing and costs.
• Monitor payroll, benefits, recruitment, and learning & development expenditures.
• Analyse monthly people costs vs budget and forecast; explain variances and actions.
• Oversee headcount controls and workforce productivity; adapt to occupancy and demand.
• Lead employee relations and promote a positive workplace culture.
• Investigate and document employee relations matters per policy and UAE labour law.
• Provide guidance on disciplinary matters and grievance resolution.
• Promote transparent communication between Heartists and management.
• Champion diversity and inclusion across the hotel.

Skills

People & Culture

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or diploma in related field

CPHR designation or pursuing

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Fairmont The Palm is a luxury, world-class resort located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah Island in Dubai. The hotel features 391 guest rooms and suites with dedicated Fairmont Gold rooms and lounge. A total of 11 food and beverage outlets on property offer international dining options including Michelin Guide recommended 2022 and 2023 Little Miss India, Frevo - Brazilian Churrasco experience, Seagrill Bistro, Ba Restaurant and Lounge, Blowfish, Flow Kitchen, The Cigar Room, Vuvuzela and others. Fairmont The Palm also features an expansive pool and beach area with a health club, Serenity Spa Dubai - The Art Of Well Being and the Fairmont Falcons Kids’ Club.

Job Description

• Develop and implement People & Culture (P&C) strategies that support the hotel’s business objectives, operational priorities, and financial performance.
• Partner with the General Manager and executive leadership team to integrate people priorities into business planning and decision-making.
• Lead the preparation and management of the annual P&C budget and workforce plan, aligning staffing levels and people costs with business forecasts and operational requirements.
• Partner with Finance and department leaders to monitor payroll, benefits, recruitment, learning and development, and other people-related expenditure, ensuring effective cost control and budget accountability.
• Analyse monthly people costs against budget and forecast, explain variances, and recommend corrective actions that support operational efficiency and service standards.
• Oversee manning forecasts, headcount controls, and workforce productivity, adapting staffing plans to occupancy, seasonality, and business demand.
• Lead employee relations, addressing concerns and resolving conflicts fairly while promoting a positive workplace culture.
• Partner with leaders to investigate and document employee relations matters promptly and objectively, ensuring appropriate corrective action in accordance with company policies and applicable UAE labour legislation.
• Provide guidance and coaching to Heartists and leaders on disciplinary matters, grievance resolution, and workplace conduct.
• Promote transparent communication and open dialogue between Heartists and management.
• Champion a diverse and inclusive workplace, embedding fairness and equity into people practices across the hotel.
• Develop, review, and implement P&C policies and procedures to ensure consistency, sound governance, and legal compliance across departments.
• Monitor changes in employment legislation and advise the General Manager and leaders on their implications, recommending policy updates and actions to mitigate risk.
• Lead performance management processes, including objective setting, performance reviews, development planning, and succession planning.
• Monitor market trends and conduct compensation and benefits benchmarking to inform attraction and retention strategies.
• Develop and implement learning and development strategies that address capability gaps, strengthen leadership, and support service excellence.
• Integrate appropriate learning technologies and methodologies to improve accessibility, engagement, and training outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years’ experience in People & Culture role, with experience in a leadership/management capacity.
• Previous experience within hospitality.
• Strong knowledge of various computer programs is a must. Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint) is required.
• Degree or diploma in a related field is an asset, as well as CPHR designation or working towards this designation.
• Proven communication and interpersonal skills (both written & verbal) with the ability to develop excellent relationships across the organizations while maintaining confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative while maintaining attention to detail in a fast paced environment.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills
• Highly responsible & reliable
• Ability to work cohesively as part