Director of People & Culture

Fairmont St. Andrews encapsulates luxury and this experience begins and ends with our colleagues. Fairmont St Andrews is one of Scotland’s most iconic 5-star luxury hotels and resorts in the home of golf.

Our 213-bedroom property is located on the outskirts of St Andrews, boasting 2 championship golf courses and an award-winning spa and leisure facility. With multiple food and beverage venues on site, including our two AA Rosette Restaurant, St Andrews Clubhouse & Grill - serving the finest Scottish steak and seafood, we are able to offer our guests a world class experience for dining and leisure activities, right here on property.

Within 20 minutes from Leuchars Railway station and 35 minutes from Dundee, we are an easy commute from numerous Scottish destinations.

Job Title: Director of People & Culture

Department: People & Culture

Reports to: General Manager

Location: St Andrews Scotland

Join Fairmont St Andrews as  Director of People & Culture. This is a pivotal executive leadership role responsible for shaping and steering the comprehensive Human Resources strategy. As a key member of the Executive Committee, this position acts as a visible beacon of Fairmont’s values and culture, fostering an environment of excellence, integrity, and respect. The incumbent will passionately lead initiatives that engage Colleagues and Leaders, ensuring an unparalleled work environment, championing extraordinary career opportunities, and reinforcing the distinctive service culture inherent to Accor’s luxury hospitality. This role demands a proactive, strategic, and ethically driven leader dedicated to optimising human potential and driving organisational success within the unique Kenyan context.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Business Partnership

• Serve as a proactive and strategic business partner to the General Manager and Executive Committee, providing expert counsel and insights on all people-related aspects.
• Contribute significantly to the overall strategic direction, business objectives, and operational success of the property.
• Guide management to formulate and fairly implement appropriate human resources policies and procedures.
• Ensure full compliance with Fairmont P&C standards and all relevant local legislation.
• Champion ethical conduct and adherence to the company's Code of Conduct and professional standards, ensuring an environment of fairness, transparency, and integrity.
•  Leverage HR data and analytics to identify trends, measure programme effectiveness, and provide data-driven insights to inform strategic decision-making regarding workforce management, talent investment, and operational efficiency.
• Prepare the annual P&C Business Plan, ensuring its objectives fully address the business goals of both hotels and the needs of their employees.
• Assess organisational needs, develop aligned HR solutions, and implement strategies in areas such as compensation and benefits, HR administration, recruitment, training and development, colleague relations, health, safety, and wellness.
• Work with the General Manager to ensure Human Resources support is provided to the hotel.
•  Maximise the capabilities of the team by reviewing the coordination of initiatives and activities and providing regular coaching and performance development opportunities.
• Advise and assist with the interpretation and consistent application of P&C policies and procedures, applicable legislation, and UK Labour Law.

Culture & Colleague Experience

• Foster a high-performance, inclusive, and engaging work environment that aligns with Fairmont’s values and standards.
•  Lead the development and execution of a compelling colleague engagement strategy.
•  Actively promote a high-performance culture that encourages innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Role model the company’s values and exhibit professional leadership skills, providing counsel and coaching on job-related issues, career development, performance management, and conflict resolution where necessary.
• Foster and promote positive Colleague relations through an environment that encourages open communication, trust, mutual respect, and fun.
• Champion and drive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives, ensuring fair and equitable practices and an inclusive workplace where all colleagues feel valued and respected.
• Take an active involvement in the welfare, safety, development, and well-being of employees, providing advice, counselling, and truthful, diplomatic feedback.
• Provide leadership and direction of colleague medical benefits.
• Ensure employee social and celebratory events occur regularly
•  Ensure employee facilities (e.g., Employee Restaurant, Locker Rooms, Clinic) are maintained and cleaned to Fairmont’s and Accor’s standards of operation.
• Ensure that an effective Communications Programme is implemented that maximises employee’s awareness of our objectives, philosophy, and operating concepts
•  Effectively communicate core values and behavioural standards to all levels of staff and ensure the effective dissemination of corporate materials.
• Develop a complete package of employee collateral and learning aides to ensure a high level of professional and personable conduct in keeping with accepted standards with the training manager plan and publish Annual / Monthly / Quarterly Consolidation Plan and Electronic Newsletter.
• Take and action employee feedback through the employee feedback surveys.

Talent Management & Development

•  Develop and implement a comprehensive talent strategy for the hotel.
• Encompass robust talent acquisition, proactive succession planning for critical roles, and tailored leadership development programmes designed to cultivate a strong internal talent pipeline and ensure future organisational capability.
• Maintain a systematic recruitment and selection process, with a primary focus on providing development opportunities and promotions from within the company, with external recruitment as back-up
•  Establish an effective external recruitment procedure to obtain the best talents in the marketplace at competitive, but responsible remuneration packages.
• Ensure external recruitment takes place through batches so that new joiners are properly inducted into the system, along with the Orientation Programme.
• Ensure the hotel adheres to approved staffing levels, job titles, and organisation structure in accordance with Accor’s payroll initiatives.
• Administer JDs, employee specifications, and task lists, including recommendations for suitable employees for inter-company transfers and maintenance of regular communication with identified candidates.
• Ensure recruitment and advertising reinforces the corporate identity, projects a professional image and is used as a last result.
• Conduct comprehensive, unbiased reference checks for new hires to ensure the integrity and suitability of candidates for their roles.
• Provide sufficient training and development opportunities to ensure subordinates are well trained and professionally equipped to deal with the demands of their function.
• Directing, coordinating, and implementing hotel and employee training programmes to promote exceptional guest service experience.

• Provide guidance and support to managers on team member performance-related issues and employee development plans.

•  Manage hotel evaluation and appraisal processes, coordinating and approving transfers and promotions at Guest Services & Operations Support and at Team Leader level, ensuring hotel moves towards Zero Based Staffing Guide.

• Review Manning requirements every year before the Business Plan exercise in line with the Business strategies.

• Continuously question the ideal mix of Full Time, Contract and Outsourced employees in each Department and assist departments to control and reduce payroll costs for full time, contracted, casual and outsourced employees.

• Counsel employees on career prospects, job related and personal matters, discipline and supervise the Hotel employee recognition programmes as outlined in the Policies and Procedures.

Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Oversee all Human Resources operations.
•  Manage the Human Resources department ensuring activities are in line with operational stipulations/initiatives of Fairmont and Accor.
• Ensure all practices are complete, in keeping with local legislation and ensure adherence / compliance of relevant legal statues/returns.
• Route documentation to relevant offices in a timely manner and oversee the timely and confidential management of employee data.
• Ensure an efficient and accurate filing system, ensure all relevant steps to curtail absenteeism and disciplinary issues and take necessary and timely legal action when required.
• Conduct regular audits of payroll processes and records to ensure compliance and identify areas for improvement.
• Implement and maintain payroll systems and procedures to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Represent the hotel in meeting government requirements, coordinating with Department of Manpower, Department of Immigration, as well as the Hygiene and Health authorities.
• Support Hotel P&C teams with the development of specific action plans to address issues and concerns identified in annual Colleague Engagement Survey.
• Ensure a strong Health and Safety culture, directing and overseeing workplace safety programmes to ensure regulation compliance, employee awareness, and an accident-free workplace.
• Prudently balance the management of resources and standards of service to meet the financial goals of the hotel and the guest expectations levels of our guests.
• Respond to changes as dictated by hotel, industry, and company.
• Exercise responsible management and positively representing the hotel management team and Accor.
• Ensure high standards of personal presentation and grooming, positive guest interaction, and respect shown to colleagues for all employees under your supervision.
• Ensure close and professional relationships are established and maintained between management, employees, Accor representatives, other Hotels, government officials, and the local community.
• Represent management in dealings and disputes by engaging in open communication and transparent management style.
• Ensure consistent and fair Grievance handling and Misconduct management, providing professional counselling and coaching to correct inappropriate behaviours.
• Coordinate and update Manpower Plans ensuring that adequate succession planning is in place to satisfy turnover requirements.
• Research competitive compensation and benefits packaging, benchmarking costs, ensuring the hotel remains competitive and manage leave liability in accordance with established policy following the scheduler system.
• Coordinate and approve the annual review of organisation charts and benefits grids.
• Administer annual salary review proposals ensuring equality and fairness.
• Oversee the payroll process to ensure accurate and timely payment of salaries and wages. Ensure compliance with all payroll-related regulations, tax laws, and reporting requirements.
• Manage P&C systems to effectively manage payroll and Manage employee insurance programmes as well as coordination for change of Status processing to ensure accurate payroll reporting.

General Responsibilities for All Colleagues

• Adhere to all hotel and company policies, procedures, and brand standards at all times.
• Maintain the highest standards of personal presentation, grooming, and hygiene.
• Contribute to the delivery of an exceptional luxury guest experience through high standards of service and professionalism, whether in guest-facing or support roles.
• Comply strictly with all health, safety, and security policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment for guests and colleagues.
• Demonstrate professionalism, respect, and a positive attitude towards all guests, colleagues, and management.
• Uphold the highest levels of confidentiality regarding guest information, company data, and internal matters.
• Actively participate in training and development programmes to enhance skills and knowledge, ensuring continuous professional growth.
• Contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment, fostering teamwork and mutual support across all departments.
• Be punctual and maintain consistent attendance, adhering to scheduled shifts.
• Support with reasonable requests and tasks as required by management, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability to operational needs.
• Be mindful of and contribute to the hotel's environmental and sustainability practices.

What We’re Looking For:

• A proactive, strategic, and ethically driven leader with extensive HR experience, ideally in hospitality or a related sector.

• Proven track record in organisational leadership, culture-building, and talent development.

• Strong knowledge of HR legislation and best practices in the UK context.

• Exceptional communication, coaching, and people management skills.

This is a unique opportunity to lead the people strategy for a world-class luxury brand in one of Scotland’s most iconic destinations.

• We are proud to offer an exceptional range of colleague benefits, including:

• Competitive salary that recognises your skills and experience

• Complimentary staff shuttle to and from St Andrews

• Fresh, complimentary meals in our staff canteen

• 50% discount when dining in our Food & Beverage outlets

• Complimentary Green Fees for our golf facilities

• Full access to our leisure club and pool services at no cost

• Exclusive discounts at Accor properties worldwide

• Special savings in our on-site retail shops

• Annual complimentary overnight stay for permanent colleagues

• A vibrant calendar of social events to connect and celebrate with your team