People & Culture Manager

We are not just a collection of hotels, but instead a talented community. A family with a shared passion and commitment to, unapologetically, love and breathe who we are every day. An eclectic grouping who really care about each other and our guests; where belonging transcends all else. We do this with a backdrop of extraordinary hotels, steeped in history, glamour and stories, which provide the perfect stage for our people – our Legends – to live our vision –Treasured by Guests, Cherished by Employees, Celebrated Worldwide.

Diversity and Inclusion at Dorchester Collection are core beliefs of our We Care philosophy. The basis of We Care is to create an environment where all of our employees feel valued and respected, allowing positive engagement to prosper. We continually strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusivity is part of our DNA, reflected by our core values of Passion, Personality, Respect, Working Together and Creativity. When submitting your application, please let us know if you require any special accommodations during the interview process.

We care about your career and are known for having the absolute best people in the industry. When you join us as a People & Culture Manager you start a unique opportunity to become celebrated as the very best in your field. You’ll learn not only from your fellow Legends, but also through our award-winning learning academy, so that you can achieve the highest standards of craft, service, and leadership and become a legend in your own story. #LI-DNP #LI-DNI

As a People & Culture Manager at OPJ and AVA at Palm Jumeirah here are just some of the great benefits you will receive:

• Competitive Salary Package
• World-class Development Opportunities
• Complimentary stays with breakfast included in our sister Dorchester Collection hotels
• 50% off at bars and restaurants within all our sister Dorchester Collection hotels
• Meal Allowance
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Annual Flight Allowance
• Housing Allowance
• Transportation Allowance
• Uniform provided by the Company with complimentary laundry

You’ll love what you do and take pride in shaping an exceptional people experience:

• You will be responsible for leading and overseeing all People & Culture operations for the Residences at OPJ and AVA at Palm Jumeirah, ensuring the function operates with strategic intent, operational excellence, and full alignment to Dorchester Collection standards. This role plays a critical part in delivering a colleague experience that directly supports our guest‑centric and resident‑centric culture.
• You will provide day‑to‑day support to the Residences team while acting as a trusted partner to senior leadership across the Residences. You will ensure full compliance with UAE labour laws and regulations, taking ownership of governance, risk management, and employment frameworks.
• You will lead and oversee all labour administration processes, including work permits, visas, Emirates IDs, renewals, and mandatory government training certifications, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness. You will act as the subject‑matter expert for all employment‑related documentation and statutory requirements within the Residences.
• Our values of Passion, Personality, Respect, Working Together, and Creativity guide us each day. As a People & Culture Manager, you will bring these values to life by embedding Dorchester Collection’s “We Care” philosophy into every stage of the employee lifecycle, from attraction and onboarding to development, engagement, and retention.
• You will play a strategic role in talent planning and recruitment, partnering closely with the Director of Operations – Residences and departmental leaders to ensure the right talent is recruited, developed, and retained to support operational excellence. You will oversee workforce planning, succession planning, and learning frameworks aligned to the Residences’ long‑term goals.
• You will act as a coach and advisor to leaders and colleagues, providing guidance on employee relations, performance management, disciplinary matters, grievance handling, and career development, always balancing fairness, empathy, and business needs. You will support performance reviews and development planning, ensuring consistent execution and meaningful outcomes.
• You will lead employee engagement initiatives, internal communications strategies, and colleague events, fostering a strong sense of belonging and alignment with the brand vision. You will also oversee People & Culture training systems and platforms, ensuring colleagues have the skills, tools, and frameworks required to perform at the highest level.
• This is a hands-on People & Culture role embedded within the Residences; you will be the sole HR presence for the teams, owning the full people journey and day-to-day employee relations.

The items shared are the essence of a day in the life of a People & Culture Manager, but we’ll make sure you are provided with specifics on how we care for our residence, our residents, and our colleagues at OPJ and AVA at Palm Jumeirah.

• You’ll bring your leadership presence, credibility, and passion for people to the role and the wider Residences leadership team.
• You have a proven ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders, managers, and colleagues, and you thrive in a luxury hospitality or branded residential environment.
• You are highly skilled in talent acquisition, employee relations, workforce planning, and organizational development, with the ability to analyse trends and translate insight into effective people strategies.
• With exceptional planning, organizational, and time‑management skills, you are confident managing multiple priorities while delivering people initiatives that drive engagement, performance, and retention. You bring cultural intelligence and adaptability, enabling you to work effectively within a diverse, international workforce.
• Communication is what keeps our organization aligned. You have excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong business acumen and a service‑driven mindset.
• You hold a relevant professional qualification or hotel school diploma and bring extensive experience in People & Culture leadership within luxury hotels or ultra‑luxury residences
• Demonstrated experience in the Middle East, together with in‑depth knowledge of local labor legislation and employment practices, is essential for this role.
• Ideally, we’re looking for someone who is available to start as soon as possible.