Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hotel HR Manager
💰 $75,000 - $115,000
🎯 Role Definition
As our Hotel Human Resources Manager, you will be the heart of our employee experience, acting as a strategic partner to the General Manager and the entire leadership team. You are not just managing processes; you are cultivating a vibrant, supportive, and high-performance culture that is the foundation of our five-star guest service. This pivotal role involves championing our team members from their first interview to their career development, ensuring the hotel is not just a great place to stay, but a great place to work. You will oversee all facets of HR, from talent acquisition and employee relations to compliance and strategic planning, making a tangible impact on our business's success every single day.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Hospitality HR Generalist
- Assistant Human Resources Manager
- Talent Acquisition Manager (Hotel/Resort)
Advancement To:
- Area/Regional Director of Human Resources
- Corporate Director of Human Resources
- Hotel General Manager (with operational experience)
Lateral Moves:
- Training and Development Manager
- Corporate HR Business Partner
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Develop and implement forward-thinking HR strategies and initiatives that are directly aligned with the hotel's overall business objectives and brand standards.
- Drive the full-cycle recruitment and selection process, including crafting compelling job descriptions, sourcing top-tier talent, conducting interviews, and managing the offer process for all hotel positions.
- Oversee and continuously enhance a comprehensive performance appraisal system that promotes a culture of feedback, accountability, and high performance.
- Act as a neutral bridge between management and employees, proactively addressing demands, grievances, and other complex issues to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
- Champion the hotel's culture by developing, engaging, motivating, and retaining our valuable team members, making the property an employer of choice.
- Nurture a positive and inclusive working environment by leading employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and team-building activities.
- Administer all compensation and benefit plans, conducting regular market analysis to ensure our offerings remain competitive and compliant with all regulations.
- Provide critical decision support to the leadership team by preparing and analyzing HR metrics, identifying trends in turnover, engagement, and recruitment effectiveness.
- Guarantee full legal compliance throughout all human resource management activities, staying current on federal, state, and local employment laws and advising management accordingly.
- Manage the complete employee lifecycle, from designing a welcoming and effective onboarding experience to conducting professional and respectful offboarding processes.
- Conduct thorough and objective investigations into employee relations issues, such as harassment allegations and disciplinary matters, ensuring fairness and proper documentation.
- Lead the hotel's safety and wellness programs, managing workers' compensation claims, promoting a safety-first culture, and ensuring OSHA compliance.
- Identify training needs and partner with department heads to create and implement impactful training and development programs for all staff levels.
- Maintain all employee records and personnel files with the highest level of confidentiality and accuracy, leveraging our Human Resources Information System (HRIS).
- Serve as a trusted advisor to department heads, providing expert HR guidance on staffing, performance management, coaching, and team development.
- Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the property to foster a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected, and included.
- Prepare and meticulously manage the annual HR department budget, forecasting expenses for recruitment, training, benefits, and employee events.
- Handle all union relations, including participation in contract negotiations, grievance procedures, and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements (if applicable).
- Lead internal communication efforts regarding policy updates, benefits enrollment, company-wide announcements, and other HR-related matters.
- Manage visa and work permit application processes for international team members, ensuring full compliance with immigration laws.
- Develop and maintain the hotel's wage and salary structure, ensuring internal equity and external competitiveness.
- Oversee the administration of all leave of absence requests, including FMLA, ADA, and personal leaves, in compliance with company policy and legal requirements.
Secondary Functions
- Support leadership with ad-hoc reporting and in-depth analysis of HR metrics, such as turnover, time-to-fill, and employee engagement scores.
- Contribute to the regional and corporate HR strategy by providing property-level insights, feedback, and best practices.
- Collaborate with departmental managers to translate their operational needs into effective staffing, training, and performance management solutions.
- Actively participate in leadership meetings, property-wide initiatives, and strategic planning sessions, representing the voice of our employees.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- HRIS Proficiency: Expertise in Human Resources Information Systems (e.g., Workday, ADP, Oracle, Ceridian) for data management, reporting, and payroll.
- Employment Law: In-depth, practical knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws, including Title VII, FMLA, ADA, FLSA, and OSHA.
- Talent Acquisition Systems: Proficiency with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) like iCIMS, Taleo, or Greenhouse for managing the recruitment pipeline.
- Compensation & Benefits Administration: Strong understanding of benefits administration, compensation structuring, market analysis, and open enrollment processes.
-Performance Management: Experience designing and administering performance review cycles, goal-setting frameworks, and employee development plans. - HR Metrics & Analytics: Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret HR data to generate insights and inform business decisions.
Soft Skills
- Exceptional Communication: Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
- Conflict Resolution & Mediation: Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and empathy, effectively resolving disputes.
- Leadership & Influence: The capacity to guide, mentor, and influence leadership and employees alike, driving cultural change and HR initiatives.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture, anticipate future trends, and align HR functions with the long-term goals of the hotel.
- Empathy & Interpersonal Acumen: A genuine ability to connect with employees at all levels, building trust and fostering open communication.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor's Degree
Preferred Education:
- Master's Degree in Human Resources or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP or PHR/SPHR certification.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Human Resources Management
- Hospitality Administration
- Business Administration
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
- 5-7 years of progressive experience in Human Resources, with at least 2 years in a management or supervisory role.
Preferred:
- Prior experience in a luxury hotel, resort, or upscale hospitality environment is highly desirable. Experience managing HR in a unionized setting is a significant plus.