Hotel People & Culture Leader

The Dewberry; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dewberry Charleston is seeking a Director of People & Culture to lead the hotel’s HR function, shaping strategy and ensuring excellence in colleague experience. You will advise hotel leadership, manage a dedicated HR team, and drive talent development, onboarding, investigations, and performance accountability.

Reporting to the Hotel Manager, this role requires hospitality- focused leadership, discretion, and a proven ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution in a dynamic

Qualifications

• Dedicated HR leader with experience in staffing, employee relations, performance management, policy administration and employment practices.
• Experience advising senior leaders and managing direct reports in a hotel/hospitality setting would be ideal.
• Proven ability to lead HR strategy, workforce planning, and risk management in a complex environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the People & Culture strategy in partnership with Hotel Manager and translate priorities into clear departmental goals.
• Supervise and develop the People & Culture team, including coaching, reviews, and professional development.
• Advise department leaders on staffing, organizational structure, employee relations, and leadership effectiveness.
• Oversee departmental budget and manage external service providers.
• Maintain a warm, visible presence to build trust across departments and shifts.
• Direct recruitment for hourly, supervisory, management, and leadership roles and oversee onboarding.
• Guide employee relations, investigations, coaching, and performance improvement discussions.
• Maintain the employee handbook, policies, compliance, and risk management.
• Drive training, engagement, and recognition programs and track turnover and retention.
• Ensure confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive personnel information.

Skills

HR leadership

Employee relations

Talent development

Performance management

Policy administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP or PHR/SPHR

Tools

ADP HRIS

Job description

The Dewberry Charleston is seeking a Director of People & Culture to lead the hotel’s HR function, shaping strategy and ensuring excellence in colleague experience. You will advise hotel leadership, manage a dedicated HR team, and drive talent development, onboarding, investigations, and performance accountability.

Reporting to the Hotel Manager, this role requires hospitality- focused leadership, discretion, and a proven ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution in a dynamic