Director of Human Resources

Ensemble; Menlo Park, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Ensemble in Menlo Park seeks a Director of Human Resources to serve as a strategic HR partner to the General Manager and hotel leadership, shaping talent, performance, and workforce planning for the property. You will drive engagement, policy adherence, and governance across HR functions in a fast-paced hospitality setting.

Lead recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, and employee relations while coordinating with Corporate HR and legal counsel as needed.

Qualifications

• 2-year degree in HR, Business Admin, or related field with 4 years HR/ops experience.
• 4-year bachelor's degree in HR, Business Admin, or related major with 2 years HR/ops exp.
• Prior experience in hotel HR is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as strategic HR partner to GM and hotel leadership on people and business matters.
• Lead HR processes, documentation, and ensure consistent practices across the property.
• Foster a people-first culture focused on engagement, recognition, inclusion, development, and retention.
• Provide guidance to leaders on employee relations, performance, attendance, and conduct.
• Conduct workplace investigations and partner with Corporate HR as needed.
• Ensure compliance with federal and CA employment laws and policies.
• Oversee recruitment, workforce planning, screening, interviews, offers, onboarding, and orientation.
• Partner with department leaders to identify staffing needs and succession plans.
• Oversee leave administration, accommodations, workers' comp, and interactive process.
• Support compensation initiatives, wage reviews, and performance processes.
• Coordinate with Payroll/Finance on records and updates.
• Administer and communicate benefits; assist with enrollment questions.
• Develop and deliver leadership and associate training on compliance and culture.
• Lead engagement initiatives, events, and internal communications.
• Monitor turnover and HR metrics to identify improvements.
• Maintain confidential personnel records and employment action docs.
• Develop HR policies and SOPs for consistency and effectiveness.
• Support safety programs and prevention initiatives with hotel leadership.
• Coordinate safety meetings with Director of Engineering.

Skills

Strategic HR

Employee relations

Leadership

Coaching

Education

2-year HR degree

4-year BA/BS HR or related

Tools

HR information systems

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Human Resources will report directly to the property General Manager, with a dotted-line (functional) reporting relationship to the Vice President of Human Resources and will be an integral member of the property executive committee. As a member of the Human Resources organization, he/she contributes a high level of human resource generalist knowledge and expertise for a designated property. He/she will be accountable for talent acquisition, succession/workforce planning, performance management and development for property employees, using technology efficiently, and coaching/developing others to help influence and execute business objectives in the most efficient manner. He/she generally works with considerable independence, developing processes to accomplish objectives in alignment with broader business objectives.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Experience

• 2-year degree from an accredited university in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related major; 4 years experience in the human resources, management operations, or related professional area.


• 4-year bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related major; 2 years experience in the human resources, management operations, or related professional area.

OR

• Prior experience in Hotel Human Resources is required

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

• Serve as a strategic HR partner and trusted advisor to the General Manager and hotel leadership team on people, organizational, and business matters.


• Lead the overall Human Resources function and maintain effective, consistent HR processes, practices, and documentation across the property.


• Foster a people-first culture focused on associate engagement, recognition, inclusion, accountability, development, and retention.


• Provide guidance and coaching to leaders regarding employee relations, performance management, attendance, workplace concerns, conflict resolution, and corrective action.


• Conduct fair, thorough, and timely workplace investigations and partner with Corporate Human Resources as appropriate.


• Respond to legal inquiries, claims, subpoenas, requests for information, and other employment-related matters in coordination with Corporate Human Resources, the General Manager, and legal counsel.


• Ensure compliance with federal, California, and local employment laws and company policies, including wage and hour requirements, leaves of absence, accommodations, workplace safety, anti-harassment requirements, and required training.


• Oversee the recruitment and selection process, including workforce planning, job postings, candidate screening, interviewing, offers, background processes, onboarding, and new-hire orientation.


• Partner with department leaders to identify staffing needs, improve retention, and create effective succession and development plans.


• Oversee associate leave administration, including FMLA/CFRA, disability accommodations, workers' compensation coordination, and the interactive process in partnership with applicable corporate resources.


• Support compensation initiatives, wage reviews, promotions, transfers, organizational changes, and annual performance review processes.


• Partner with Payroll and Finance to promote accurate employee records, payroll practices, timekeeping, wage changes, and employment status updates.


• Administer and communicate employee benefits programs and assist associates with benefits-related questions and enrollment processes.


• Develop and facilitate leadership and associate training programs focused on compliance, service culture, leadership effectiveness, performance management, and professional development.


• Lead associate engagement and recognition initiatives, including employee appreciation events, cultural celebrations, recognition programs, and internal communications.


• Monitor turnover, retention, staffing, employee relations trends, and other HR metrics to identify opportunities for improvement.


• Maintain accurate and confidential personnel records and ensure appropriate documentation of employment actions.


• Develop, review, and implement HR policies, procedures, standard operating practices, and communication tools to improve consistency and operational effectiveness.


• Support workplace safety programs, workers' compensation initiatives, and required prevention programs in partnership with hotel leadership.


• Coordinate safety meetings in collaboration with the Director of Engineering


• Serve as an approachable and trusted resource for associates while maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, fairness, and sound judgment.


• Partner with leadership during organizational transitions and other significant operational changes to ensure effective communication and associate support.


• Oversee Human Resources Coordinator


• Perform additional Human Resources responsibilities as needed to support the hotel and its associates.