Human Resources Director

About Us

At Sonesta Charlotte Lower South End, we believe that people are the heartbeat of hospitality. With 300 guest rooms and 15,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, we’re one of Charlotte’s leading full-service hotels — and our success starts with our culture.

We’re looking for a Human Resources Director who is passionate about people, driven by purpose, and ready to elevate both our guest and team-member experience. This is a hands-on leadership position and a key member of the Executive Committee (EC), partnering directly with the General Manager and senior leaders to shape the hotel’s culture and operational success.

This position is bonus eligible, reflecting both individual and property performance.

Position Summary

The Human Resources Director (HRD) is responsible for developing, implementing, and executing all HR functions, programs, and initiatives at the property level. The HRD ensures a positive, inclusive, and compliant work environment while driving engagement, communication, and alignment across all departments.

This leader will serve as the hotel’s culture ambassador — balancing compliance and compassion with accountability and creativity.

Key Responsibilities & Tasks

Communications & Channels

• Publish daily team newsletter (weather, birthdays/anniversaries, Culture Club updates, HR notes, and motivation).
• Maintain and audit hotel email distribution lists.
• Conduct walk-throughs at both time clocks; refresh HR boards as needed.
• Publish weekly internal events schedule to team.
• Manage breakroom TV content (birthdays, anniversaries, new hires, hiring info).
• Send welcome emails for new hires with photo introductions.
• Distribute team-wide process communications for HR forms (liability, WC, etc.).
• Feature “Meet the New Teammates” spotlights with photos (as comfortable).
• Monitor HR inbox and hotline; triage within 24 hours.
• Ensure all termed employees are properly processed in Workday; follow up on accrual payouts and next steps.

Recruiting & Hiring

• Lead Workday candidate prescreening and pipeline management.
• Host weekly recruiting huddles with leadership.
• Oversee background checks, drug screens, and start-date alignment.
• Create and manage Workday requisitions (upon GM approval).
• Standardize prescreen scripts and interview training for leaders.
• Conduct interview panel training (legal/behavioral best practices).
• Review and QA offer letters and onboarding packets.

Onboarding & New-Hire Experience

• Execute Day 1/3/7 onboarding touchpoints.
• Conduct bi-monthly orientation sessions, updating presentations with Charlotte-specific information, Culture of Caring, Org Chart, and policies.
• Schedule EC and department leader attendance for 15-minute introductions.
• Send calendar invites for GM lobby introductions with new hires.
• Create and maintain onboarding and Day 1 checklists (uniforms, badges, lockers, tour).
• Implement 90-day onboarding survey and retention review.

Training & Compliance

• Track training compliance and follow up on overdue modules.
• Conduct training audits and remediation plans.
• Maintain an annual compliance training calendar (brand + legal).
• Attend HR Leads calls (1st & 3rd Tuesdays); summarize and present takeaways to EC and department heads.

Timekeeping, Payroll & Labor Control

• Review time and attendance exceptions; coach leaders on punch accuracy.
• Distribute overtime reports to GM and department heads.
• Audit payroll change reports (rate/title/transfer).
• Conduct market analysis for banquet server pay rates.
• Ensure accountability on employee tracker for absence, late, sick, PTO.

Leaves, Return-to-Work & Workers’ Comp

• Maintain LOA tracker; confirm return-to-work dates and restrictions.
• Manage workers’ comp claims, update logs, and monitor case progress.

Recognition, Culture & Engagement

• Schedule and plan Happy Cart routes and menus.
• Lead Employee Rallies (agenda, awards, AV, and process documentation).
• Maintain and publish birthday/anniversary calendars for 2026.
• Manage Quarterly Leadership Awards and Employee Recognition voting via Microsoft Forms.
• Create and publish 2026 culture and recognition calendars (rallies, happy carts, holidays).
• Enhance breakroom engagement activities (games, contests, community service).
• Align holiday and employee initiatives with the marketing calendar.

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Highlight Benefits and EAP topics in monthly newsletters (Wellbeing Spotlight).

Safety, Employee Relations & Policy

• Maintain and train team on Incident Intake SOPs (liability and workers’ comp process).
• Partner with EC team to address employee survey feedback.
• Manage social media waiver process for employee participation.

Org Design & Records

• Conduct org chart and contact sheet audits.
• Update vendor and department listings; maintain fax cover sheets.

Analytics & KPI Reporting

• Publish monthly HR metrics dashboard (headcount, open reqs, turnover, OT, WC).
• Track and present key HR KPIs (time-to-fill, training compliance, retention).

Systems, Access & Admin

• Conduct access audits (Workday, LMS, shared drives) to ensure proper access removal and assignment.

Compensation & Incentives

• Maintain incentive program communications and updates.
• Verify leader submissions weekly for accuracy and compliance.

Leadership Alignment / HR Operations

• Participate in daily Executive Committee huddles and syncs with GM to discuss people updates, recognition, and operational priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in HR, Business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of HR leadership experience (hospitality industry strongly preferred).
• In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Workday, ADP, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proven ability to lead through influence, collaboration, and empathy.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary
• Annual performance-based bonus eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Complimentary and discounted hotel stays through Sonesta
• A collaborative leadership culture that values creativity, recognition, and growth

Join Our Leadership Team

If you’re a people-first leader who thrives on making an impact, developing others, and shaping a culture of excellence, we’d love to meet you.
Apply today to join the Sonesta Charlotte Lower South End Executive Committee and help us continue building a workplace where every voice matters.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person