Director of People & Culture

About Red Palace:

A symbol of Saudi Arabia’s heritage, The Red Palace stands as an extraordinary landmark in Riyadh, now reimagined as an ultra-luxury boutique hotel. Originally built in 1943, this historic Palace has been transformed into a masterpiece of refined hospitality, blending timeless elegance with contemporary sophistication.

Nestled in the heart of the capital, The Red Palace offers an exclusive glimpse into the Kingdom’s storied past, featuring meticulously restored architecture, curated cultural experiences, and unparalleled service. Every detail has been thoughtfully designed to honor its legacy while delivering a modern interpretation of luxury. At The Red Palace, we invite guests to step into a world of history, prestige, and indulgence, where tradition and innovation seamlessly come together.

Job Title: Director of People & Culture

Reporting To: VP/General Manager

Location: Red Palace

THE POSITION:

The Director of People & Culture is a strategic leadership role responsible for establishing and overseeing all People & Culture operations for the Palace, particularly during the pre-opening phase and throughout operational readiness. Reporting to the VP/General Manager, the Director of People & Culture plays a critical role in building the workforce from the ground up, attracting and developing top talent, setting HR governance, and fostering a positive and inclusive work culture that aligns with Boutique Group standards and local labor regulations. The role requires strong leadership capability, depth in HR operational excellence, and the ability to shape an environment that enables exceptional employee experience and service delivery.

RESPONSABILITIES

Talent Acquisition and Management

• Develop and implement recruitment and selection strategies to attract and hire top talent across all Palace departments, aligned with pre-opening ramp-up targets.
• Oversee onboarding and cultural integration, ensuring new hires are fully prepared for operational launch.
• Partner with department heads on workforce planning, job descriptions, interviews, and selection.
• Implement talent management initiatives including performance management, succession planning, and career development.

Employee Engagement and Culture

• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment that supports engagement, retention, and high performance.
• Develop and implement employee recognition programs and initiatives tied to brand standards and pre-opening milestones.
• Monitor employee feedback and take action to enhance employee experience.
• Implement diversity, equity, and inclusion practices that support a multicultural luxury environment.

Training and Development

• Identify training needs and establish programs to build capability before and after opening.
• Partner with departmental leaders to deliver job-specific, leadership, and service-excellence training.
• Evaluate training program effectiveness and refine based on operational performance.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning across functions.

Employee Relations and Compliance

• Serve as a trusted advisor on employment policies and HR matters.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, Boutique Group policies, and regulatory obligations.
• Manage grievances and disciplinary actions professionally and consistently.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records in line with compliance and data-privacy requirements.

Compensation and Benefits

• Develop and implement competitive compensation and benefits aligned with market benchmarks and Boutique Group frameworks.
• Conduct periodic benchmarking and salary scale reviews, particularly during the transition from pre-opening to full operation.
• Administer compensation programs, bonus schemes, and employee benefits.
• Recommend enhancements based on market trends and organizational needs.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Demonstrate ownership, continuous learning, and confidence under pressure.
• Manage time and priorities effectively; delegate where appropriate.
• Maintain professionalism and resilience in demanding situations.

STAFF ACCOMMODATION:

• Oversee all aspects of staff accommodation, ensuring that housing facilities meet Boutique Group standards for safety, cleanliness, comfort, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor occupancy, room allocations, maintenance requests, security measures, and housekeeping quality, ensuring a well-managed living environment for all colleagues.
• Implement housing policies and procedures covering arrivals, check-ins, inspections, conduct guidelines, incident handling, and periodic audits.
• Coordinate with Facilities, Security, and Procurement to ensure timely maintenance, utilities management, vendor performance, and continuous improvement of living conditions.

STAFF CANTEEN (COLLEAGUE DINING)

• Manage the overall operations of the staff restaurant, ensuring food quality, hygiene standards, menu planning, and compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Work with culinary and F&B support teams to design balanced meal cycles that meet nutritional, cultural, and operational needs of a diverse workforce.
• Oversee vendor performance (if outsourced), daily service quality, food cost control, waste management, and colleague feedback channels to ensure high satisfaction.

STAFF TRANSPORTATION

• Supervise staff transportation operations, ensuring safe, reliable, and punctual colleague mobility between accommodation, Palace.
• Oversee route planning, bus schedules, fleet availability, and contingency planning during peak periods, special events, or shift changes.
• Manage vendor contracts, service-level agreements, performance evaluations, and ensure that all transport services comply with safety and regulatory requirements.
• Address operational challenges such as delays, capacity issues, maintenance concerns, and feedback from colleagues to continuously enhance service efficiency.

LEADERSHIP

• Provide strategic leadership to the People & Culture function and partner with hotel leaders to drive a high-performance culture.
• Lead and develop the P&C team, ensuring alignment with brand standards and operational requirements.
• Coach department heads on performance management, talent development, and people-related decisions.
• Promote collaboration, service excellence, and continuous improvement across the organization.

CREATING THE FUTURE

• Contribute to innovative, future-focused HR practices.
• Translate organizational strategy into people strategies that enable business growth.
• Apply analytical and problem-solving skills to drive informed decisions.

LIVING THE BRAND

• Role-model the Boutique culture and ensure HR practices reinforce service excellence and individuality.
• Support leaders in maintaining high service and behavioral standards through hiring, training, and capability building.
• Represent the Palace in community and brand-building initiatives in coordination with leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience). HR certification is a plus.
• Proven experience as a Director of People & Culture or similar role in a luxury hotel or hospitality industry.
• In-depth knowledge of People & Culture best practices, employment laws, and labor regulations.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Experience in talent acquisition, employee engagement, performance management, and organizational development.
• Strong match with Boutique Group Inspiring Leader capability framework.
• Familiarity with HR systems and software.
• Fluent in English & Arabic.
• Local market experience.