Director of Human Resources- New Opening Hotel AC/Element

Ascent Hospitality; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Bonus Potential

Comprehensive Benefits Package

401(k) with Employer Match

Paid Time Off & Holidays

Insurance Options

Hotel Team Discounts

Recognition & Appreciation Programs

Career Growth & Advancement

Supportive Team Culture

New Opening Environment

Job summary

Ascent Hospitality in Birmingham, AL, seeks a Director of Human Resources to lead the HR function for a new 350-room AC Hotel & Element Hotel opening. You will partner with hotel leadership to recruit, onboard, develop, and engage a high-performing team while shaping a positive employee experience.

This role focuses on building HR foundations from the ground up, implementing policies, and fostering a culture of service excellence in a dynamic, newly opening environment.

Qualifications

• Proven HR leadership experience in hospitality or a hotel setting.
• Experience supporting hotel openings or high-volume property launches preferred.
• Strong knowledge of recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, and performance management.
• Excellent communication, leadership, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build relationships with employees and leadership at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR activities for the hotel and partner with GM and leadership.
• Build and implement HR processes, policies, and programs for the opening.
• Collaborate on recruiting, onboarding, and workforce planning.
• Support employee relations, coaching, and engagement.
• Foster a positive, inclusive hotel culture and service focus.
• Coordinate new-hire orientation, training, and compliance initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Address employee concerns and provide HR guidance to managers.
• Support recognition, retention, and team-building efforts.
• Monitor HR metrics and suggest staffing improvements.

Skills

HR Leadership

Recruiting

Employee Relations

Onboarding

Performance Management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Hospitality

Job description

Position/Role: Director of Human Resources

Location: Birmingham, AL

Hotel: New Opening 350-Room AC Hotel & Element Hotel

Salary Range: $55,000 – $65,000 annually + Bonus Potential

(Compensation Is Commensurate With Experience, Qualifications, And Overall Background.)

Build the Team. Shape the Culture. Lead the Future.

Join Ascent Hospitality and Help Launch an Exciting New Hotel in Birmingham!

Ascent Hospitality owns and operates a portfolio of 42 award-winning hotels across Alabama, Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

About The Role

Ascent Hospitality is seeking an experienced, energetic, and people-focused Director of Human Resources to join our new-opening 350-room AC Hotel & Element Hotel in Birmingham, AL.

This is an exciting opportunity to help build the HR foundation and culture from the ground up. You will partner closely with hotel leadership to recruit, onboard, develop, and engage a high-performing team while ensuring a positive and consistent employee experience.

If you are passionate about people, hospitality, culture, and building great teams, we would love to meet you!

Employee Perks & Benefits

• Competitive Salary + Bonus Potential
• Comprehensive Benefits Package
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay
• Insurance Plan Options
• Hotel Team Member Discounts
• Employee Recognition & Appreciation Programs
• Career Growth & Advancement Opportunities
• Supportive Team Culture
• Exciting New-Opening Environment

What You Will Do

• Lead all HR activities for the hotel and serve as a trusted partner to the General Manager and leadership team.
• Build and implement HR processes, policies, and programs for the new hotel opening.
• Partner with leadership on recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and workforce planning.
• Support employee relations, performance management, coaching, and engagement.
• Help create a positive, inclusive, and service-focused hotel culture.
• Coordinate new-hire orientation, training, compliance, and employee development initiatives.
• Maintain accurate employee records and ensure compliance with company policies and employment regulations.
• Partner with managers to address employee concerns and provide practical HR guidance.
• Support employee recognition, retention, engagement, and team-building initiatives.
• Monitor HR metrics and provide recommendations to improve staffing, retention, and employee experience.

What We Are Looking For

• Previous Hotel HR, Hospitality HR, or Human Resources leadership experience preferred.
• Experience supporting a hotel opening or high-volume hospitality environment is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of recruiting, employee relations, onboarding, performance management, and HR practices.
• Excellent communication, leadership, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships with employees and leadership at all levels.
• Highly organized, approachable, proactive, and solutions-oriented.
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Hospitality, or related field preferred.

Ascent Hospitality is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).