People & Culture Manager

Sofitel; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Daily staff meals

Laundry allowance

Anniversary stays with F&B credit

Advanced leadership training

Discounted hotel stays

Gym access

Ski hire

12 weeks parental leave

Rainbow inclusive policies

Job summary

Sofitel Queenstown invites a strategic People & Culture Leader to drive end-to-end P&C across two luxury properties. You will balance strategic oversight with hands-on influence, shaping engagement, performance, compliance and wellbeing while building a leadership pipeline for the Accor portfolio.

You will partner with the General Manager and executive team on workforce design, culture, and training initiatives, leveraging the EVP to attract, onboard, develop and retain a top-tier team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a People & Culture or HR function at a managerial level.
• Experience within luxury hospitality preferred.
• Strong Employment Relations expertise balancing compliance and care.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and drive change.
• Working rights for New Zealand clearly stated in application.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the People & Culture strategy across both properties.
• Partner with General Manager and Executive Team on workforce planning and culture.
• Oversee training programs and EVP initiatives for staff development.
• Provide safety, wellbeing and compliance governance for both hotels.
• Develop the P&C team and contribute to regional projects and reporting.
• Represent the hotels in Accor Pacific People & Culture network.

Skills

Leadership

HR strategy

Change management

Employee experience

Influence executives

Tools

HRIS

Job description

As People & Culture Manager, you will lead the full end-to-end People & Culture function across both hotels. You will balance strategic leadership with hands-on influence, driving engagement, performance, compliance, and wellbeing while developing a strong, future-ready leadership pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the People & Culture strategy across both properties, aligned with Accor, Hotel, and business objectives
• Act as a strategic partner to the General Manager and Executive Leadership Team on workforce planning, organisational design, change, and culture
• Deliver the La Maison Luxury Signature Immersion Program and oversee brand, leadership, and compliance training across both hotels
• Utilise the Employee Value Proposition (EVP) across attraction, onboarding, development, recognition, and retention
• Provide senior oversight of Employment Relations matters, partnering with the General Manager to ensure fair, compliant, and values-led outcomes
• Support in Work Health & Safety strategy, governance, and wellbeing initiatives, ensuring a strong safety culture across both hotels
• Lead, coach, and develop the People & Culture team, building capability and accountability within the function
• Represent the hotels within the Accor Pacific People & Culture network, contributing to regional projects and best-practice initiatives
• Contribute to business planning, workforce reporting, and owner reporting with meaningful people insights

Qualifications

Harness your luxury attitude, humble excellence, a distinguished presence, and elevated emotional intelligence. Your pride and passion will be complemented by:

• Proven experience leading a People & Culture or HR function at a managerial level preferred
• Proven experience within luxury hospitality preferredStrong Employment Relations expertise with the ability to balance compliance and care
• A passion for culture, leadership development, and employee experience
• The confidence to influence senior leaders and drive change
• A calm, emotionally intelligent leadership style aligned to luxury service environments
• You will need to hold working rights for New Zealand; please make your working rights / visa status clear on your application.

Additional Information

Bring passion and dedication to excellence, and we will recognise your contribution with a variety of benefits, rewards and development opportunities:

• We offer competitive pay, plus benefits including daily staff meals, laundry allowance, anniversary stays with F&B credit to enjoy.
• Build your career with the New Zealand Hotel of the Year 2024.
• Receive unparalleled training, development and support from Accor leadership training programmes.
• Discounted Hotel stays, food and beverage rates and Spa treatments, worldwide - for yourself and for friends and family, across our entire network.
• Be part of a well-established hotel with a strong reputation for providing exceptional service.
• Ongoing reward and recognition incentives and awards.
• Opportunities for further development and worldwide career progression within Accor.
• Refer a friend incentive
• Supportive and friendly working environment.
• Free gym access plus ski hire during the winter.
• EAP, well-being and mental health supports available, progressive policies, including 12 weeks paid parental leave, and rainbow inclusive policies and practices.
• Take part in social activities and community involvement initiatives through the year.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

We are an inclusive company, and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent. We offer reasonable adjustments to support you. If you require an adjustment to be made during the recruitment process, you're welcome to let us know.