Job Title: Head of People & Culture Operations (1-Year FTC – Maternity Cover)
Department: People & Culture
Inspired and Supported by: Director of People & Culture
Who We Are Looking For:
Join an award-winning People & Culture team recognised for delivering an exceptional colleague experience at one of London’s most iconic luxury hotels.
This 1-year fixed-term maternity cover opportunity calls for a confident, action-focused People & Culture leader who can operate at pace, adapt quickly, and deliver a consistently high standard of service to our colleagues and leaders.
You will bring strong UK employment law knowledge and a proven track record in employee relations, with the judgement to handle sensitive matters fairly, calmly and consistently. Highly organised and outcome-driven, you will prioritise competing demands and partner with senior leaders to achieve practical, people-first solutions.
Experience in luxury hospitality or a service-led environment is strongly preferred, alongside a natural ability to build credibility and strong relationships across all levels. Above all, you will balance energy and decisiveness with empathy and integrity, supporting a positive colleague experience while driving standards and performance.
Your Purpose
To support the Director of People & Culture through leadership of the operational aspects of our People & Culture function.
Driving a 5-star colleague experience, supporting leaders with people-related matters, ensuring the smooth delivery of core People & Culture services across the hotel, and strengthening colleague engagement to reduce voluntary turnover year on year.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership
Manage, coach, and develop P&C Advisor and a P&C Assistant to ensure high-quality, efficient day-to-day People & Culture support and service delivery.
Leadership Support
Act as a trusted advisor to department heads and line managers, providing practical guidance and coaching on a wide range of people matters.
Employee Relations
Lead and advise on employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary and grievance procedures, conflict resolution, and mediation.
Ensure all employee relations processes align with legal requirements and company values.
Business Partnering
Collaborate with leaders to understand operational challenges and workforce needs.
Ensure People & Culture practices support departmental goals and foster a positive working environment.
Policy & Process
Ensure legal compliance, developing new policies where required.
Ensure People & Culture policies are applied consistently across the hotel.
Deliver training and awareness initiatives where needed.
Drive continuous improvement in People & Culture processes to enhance efficiency and user experience.
Colleague Engagement
Drive Colleague Engagement action planning through rep committee and partnering with leaders
Champion colleague engagement initiatives.
Drive feedback mechanisms, including surveys and forums.
Support the implementation of action plans to improve colleague satisfaction and retention.
Colleague Recognition
Lead the colleague recognition committee.
Ensure recognition systems operate effectively and are perceived as fair and meaningful by colleagues.
Absence Management
Monitor sickness absence trends.
Support return-to-work processes.
Liaise with line managers to manage cases sensitively and effectively.
Reduce the financial and operational impact of sickness absence.
Orientation and ER Training
Deliver structured and effective first-day orientation.
Facilitate colleague relations and people management training to build manager capability and reduce risk.
Talent Acquisition Support
Support recruitment activity, including interviewing and selection.
Ensure a professional and consistent candidate experience aligned with brand standards.
Employer Brand
Contribute to employer branding initiatives that accurately reflect our culture and expectations.
Support the development of materials and communications that position The Savoy as an employer of choice.
Projects
Lead and contribute to operational and strategic projects that strengthen the colleague experience and improve People & Culture effectiveness.