About the Role
As Head of People & Culture - Saudi Arabia, you will lead the development and execution of the people strategy across the Kingdom, ensuring alignment with business priorities and organizational values. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, you will drive talent, culture, employee engagement, organizational effectiveness, and workforce planning initiatives that support sustainable business growth while fostering an inclusive and high-performing workplace. This position is based in the company office in Jeddah and reports to the Regional Director of People & Culture – GCC & Levant.
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What You Will Be Responsible For:
People and Culture Regional Strategy
- Work with hotel People & Culture and operational leaders to establish the People & Culture roadmap with annual objectives and action plans.
- Activate the People & Culture strategy with operational leaders and GMs to ensure alignment and commitment to its delivery.
- Champion the Heartist program, ensuring that employees and guests are at the center of all strategic decisions and initiatives.
- Build and manage relationships with General Managers and People & Culture teams in hotels to ensure implementation of all projects and initiatives.
Talent Acquisition
Partner with hotels' People & Culture leaders to:
- Maintain all localization rules set by the Ministry of Tourism in Saudi Arabia and ensure full compliance by all hotels.
- Maintain a best practice recruitment approach, including the company's recruitment management system, to attract the best applicants.
- Anticipate recruitment needs and maintain a leadership pipeline of potential candidates and talents to match hotel needs.
- Provide approach and action plans to attract the best talent (including presentations to hospitality schools and universities, social media, and job websites).
- Ensure the hotel selection process is compliant with company policy (Assessment, interview guides, validation steps in selection process, etc).
Talent Management & Talent Development
- Ensure a strong talent management culture is promoted among all leaders through the Talent Management Cycle: continuous feedback conversations, yearly wrap-up reviews, potential assessments, talent reviews, career development interviews, individual development plans (PDP), and succession planning.
- Support the leadership team in the talent management cycle and promote employee mobility (local/foreigner) that meets the region’s growth and needs.
- Work with the company Academy to ensure that the learning offer meets the business's current and future needs.
- Coordinate effectively with Learning & Development, Brand, and the company Academy to ensure consistent brand orientation and brand culture programs are rolled out in all properties.
Employment Law and Labor Relations
- Act as an advisor for hotels on employment law and labor relations per country labor laws.
- Ensure proper follow-up and due diligence on all employee complaints and liaise with hotel People & Culture leaders and General Managers.
- Monitor legislative changes and provide guidance to People & Culture business leaders.
- Lead Heartists engagement and workplace culture improvement programs.
Qualifications
What We’re Looking For:
- 10+ years of progressive People & Culture (Human Resources) leadership experience, preferably across multiple properties, regions, or business units.
- Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to work effectively and contribute in a team environment.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Flexible and able to embrace and respond to change effectively.
- In-depth knowledge of Saudi Labor Law and implementing regulations (Nitaqat, Qiwa, Gosi, Mudad, etc.).
- Proven ability to advise executive teams and influence business decisions.
- Change management and transformation leadership capabilities.
- Data-driven decision-making using HR analytics.
- Workforce productivity and labor cost optimization skills.
- Executive presence and business partnership mindset.
- Cultural sensitivity and ability to operate in a multicultural environment.
- Resilience, discretion, and ability to manage confidential matters.
Additional Information
What is in it for You:
- Employee benefit card offering discounted rates at company hotels worldwide.
- Develop your talent through company's learning programs.
- Opportunity to grow within your property and across the world.
- Ability to contribute to the community and make a difference through our Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities.
Our culture of inclusion welcomes everyone regardless of race, gender, and background.
Job-Category: Talent & Culture
Job Type: Permanent
