Director of Human Resources

Advanced Search Group; Manama; On-site; BHD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kempinski, a premier luxury hotel group, seeks a Director of Human Resources in Bahrain to lead the HR strategy across talent management, employee relations, development, and culture for a pre-opening luxury property.

The role partners with the General Manager and Executive Committee to ensure alignment between business objectives and human capital, while ensuring full regulatory compliance and a high-performing work environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in HR or related field.
• Minimum 7–10 years of HR leadership experience in luxury hospitality.
• Proven track record in talent management, employee relations, and learning & development.

Responsibilities

• Lead pre-opening HR strategy, budgeting, and setup for the property.
• Develop and manage recruitment, onboarding, and pre-opening training programs.
• Ensure compliance with Bahrain Labour Law and LMRA processes.
• Oversee compensation, benefits design, and employee relations programs.
• Foster an engaging, high-performance culture aligned with Kempinski standards.

Skills

Strategic HR Leadership

Talent Management

Employee Relations

Learning & Development

Culture & Engagement

Regulatory Compliance

HRIS & Payroll

Education

Master's degree in Human Resources or MBA HR

Tools

HRIS

Payroll Systems

Job description

The Director of Human Resources is responsible for leading the overall HR strategy, talent management, employee relations, learning and development, and culture for the property. As a key strategic partner to the General Manager and Executive Committee, this role ensures full alignment between business objectives and human capital management while maintaining strict regulatory compliance and fostering an engaging, high-performance work environment.

How You Will Make a Difference; What We’re Looking For

Pre-Opening Strategy, Budgeting & Setup

• Develop and execute the pre-opening HR master plan, countdown schedules, and critical path activities.
• Formulate the hotel’s HR operating budget, pre-opening payroll budget, manning guide, and benefits strategy.
• Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs), employee handbook policies, and HR systems (HRIS, time & attendance) in alignment with corporate and local standards.
• Coordinate employee housing, transportation, cafeteria setup, and welfare facilities prior to staff arrival.

Job description

The Director of Human Resources is responsible for leading the overall HR strategy, talent management, employee relations, learning and development, and culture for the property. As a key strategic partner to the General Manager and Executive Committee, this role ensures full alignment between business objectives and human capital management while maintaining strict regulatory compliance and fostering an engaging, high-performance work environment.

How You Will Make a Difference; What We’re Looking For

Pre-Opening Strategy, Budgeting & Setup

• Develop and execute the pre-opening HR master plan, countdown schedules, and critical path activities.
• Formulate the hotel’s HR operating budget, pre-opening payroll budget, manning guide, and benefits strategy.
• Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs), employee handbook policies, and HR systems (HRIS, time & attendance) in alignment with corporate and local standards.
• Coordinate employee housing, transportation, cafeteria setup, and welfare facilities prior to staff arrival.

Recruitment

• Create and execute global and regional recruitment strategies to source high-caliber luxury hospitality talent.
• Organize career fairs, and digital sourcing campaigns to fill all operational and managerial roles.
• Manage pre-employment processes, including background checks, medical clearances, and offer issuance.

Government Relations & Local Compliance

• Oversee the Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Government Relations team to manage work visas, residency permits, and LMRA (Labour Market Regulatory Authority) processes smoothly.
• Ensure full compliance with Bahrain Labour Law and maintain required Bahrainisation percentage quotas.
• Maintain relationship networks with local labor authorities, ministries, and hospitality training institutions in Bahrain.

Learning, Development & Culture

• Partner with department heads to design and roll out brand immersion, luxury service standards, and pre-opening simulation training.
• Oversee the onboarding and orientation programs for all new hires arriving in waves before opening.
• Establish a positive, inclusive organizational culture focused on guest delight, team well-being, and internal growth.

Compensation, Benefits & Employee Relations

• Design competitive salary scales and benefits packages tailored to the Bahrain market.
• Establish grievance procedures, disciplinary frameworks, and performance appraisal systems.
• Manage team engagement activities, recognition programs, and wellness initiatives to drive high retention during high-stress pre-opening phases.

The Kempinski name is proudly borne by a growing collection of distinguished properties around the world. As Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group, we ar...