Director of People & Culture

Company Description

We are seeking an exceptional Director of People & Culture to join the pre-opening team of Delano London. As a strategic partner to the General Manager and Leadership team, you will define and lead the People & Culture strategy, shaping a distinctive culture that reflects the spirit and ambition of the brand from day one.

You will be responsible for building a high-performing team, embedding strong values and behaviours, and ensuring the hotel attracts, develops, and retains exceptional talent. Through thoughtful engagement initiatives, progressive people practices, and a strong focus on performance and compliance, you will create an environment where colleagues thrive and the guest experience is elevated as a result.

Set to open its doors in 2026, Delano London will be an intimate and refined urban sanctuary in South Kensington, bringing the brand’s iconic understated glamour to one of London’s most prestigious addresses at 60 Hyde Park Gate, overlooking Hyde Park and moments from the city’s leading cultural institutions. The 67-key luxury retreat will blend soft minimalist design, generous living spaces and park views creating a distinctive lifestyle destination where design, dining, nightlife and wellbeing seamlessly converge.

Job Description

What you’ll do…

• Be a true partner to the business for anything that relates to looking after their teams, providing advice & guidance.
• Implement and manage our policies, processes, and procedures, ensuring we are compliant with local employment law in all areas.
• Position our brand as an employer of choice through effective recruitment strategies that attract talent and build a talent pool for effective succession planning within the business.
• Work with heads of department on putting in place development opportunities & paths for the team, with input from our Director of L&D.
• Keep the culture of the hotel alive by embedding Delano values, promoting a fair, safe and inclusive environment and leading initiatives that engage and empower the team.
• Drive our talent review process from coffee chats, annual reviews through to talent and career management.
• Lead activities under “Do More”, our global initiative to work with local charities & community projects in the cities we call home.
• Support managers on employee relations and performance management cases.
• Work with the central team on European/Global projects and rollouts. We want to hear your ideas and get your input on how to design effective initiatives and deliver innovative solutions.

Qualifications

What we’re looking for…

• We are seeking a dynamic HR professional with a minimum of two years’ progressive experience across all areas of Human Resources within the hospitality sector.
• Pre-opening experience is highly advantageous, along with proven capability in managing high-volume recruitment in a fast-paced environment.
• You are culturally aware and globally minded, able to inspire teams in diverse, international environments.
• A strong working knowledge of employee relations, employment legislation, and performance management processes is essential.
• You are an excellent relationship builder, confident in working with other teams, leaders and ownership; you’re passionate about what we can achieve together.

Additional Information

What’s in it for you…

• The opportunity to launch a visionary hospitality brand in London and have a real impact on its success.
• Join an innovative, fast-growing, international group that’s committed to not just building new hotels but building a global brand.
• The chance to challenge the norm and work in an environment that is both creative and rewarding.
• Become part of a team that’s very passionate about creating great hospitality experiences and building a portfolio of brands.
• A competitive package and plenty of opportunity for development.