Director of People & Culture

As part of Sage Hospitality Group, we passionately strive to be the best and create excellence in everything we do. We believe in enriching lives one experience at a time. More than a slogan, we empower our employees to make positive impacts on the communities in which we live and work. By providing genuine service we build relationships with our guests and value for our shareholders, and we create unforgettable experiences.

We are looking for independent thinkers. Those who harness their entrepreneurial spirit so that it breaks preconceived notions. We’re not afraid to forge our own path. After all, it’s what industry leaders do. That’s why we welcome risk takers and creative spirits alike. No matter your daily role, Sage recognizes that your success is about more than the work you do—it’s really about who you are, which is why we invest in your personal and professional growth. We hope you consider joining us!

This is a Marriott-branded upscale lifestyle property located in the heart of New Orleans. With a vibrant atmosphere and an exciting future ahead, the property is undergoing a transformation that will elevate its offerings to new heights. As the Director of People and Culture, you will be at the helm of driving the property's success, ensuring that the associate experience aligns with Sage's values. Join us to help shape its future and deliver a world-class guest experience!

The purpose of this role is to identify, ensure alignment and implement a talent management plan that addresses both the strategic and operational needs of the business. The People and Culture Director (PCD) leads and manages all aspects of People supporting activities for the property while balancing, supporting and addressing challenges and opportunities.  The PCD acts as the strategic advisor to the Executive Committee on all people related matters and reports directly to the General Manager with direction from the Regional Director of People & Culture.

Talent Management

• Plan, develop, coordinate and direct the People and Culture function at the property to retain, develop and motivate associates in an effective manner in accordance with policies and procedures and federal, state, and local laws and regulations while limiting liabilities and promoting a safe, fair, positive work environment.
• Plan and manage the recruitment, interviewing, hiring and orientation processes to maintain staffing levels with qualified individuals while complying with SOPs, federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• Oversee adherence to performance management including monitoring performance evaluations to make certain they are completed and submitted on a timely basis.  Facilitate development and monitoring of associate performance improvement plans.

Training

• Assess needs, plan, implement and coordinate management, hourly and supervisory training programs including company core training, annual compliance and brand required training programs to develop quality managers/associates and limit hotel liability.

Associate Relations

• Counsel and train managers on associate relations issues, resolve associate grievances, conduct management exit interviews and examine all exit interviews for trends. 
• Implement various associate relations programs to maintain a pro-associate environment that ultimately limits turnover and facilitates high associate engagement and limits turnover.
• Formulate budgets for associate relations, associate training and recruitment advertising as well as wages and benefits for human resource staff for the budgeted time frame.
• Manage expenses for people resource related areas and execute financial management when required.
• Supervise People and Culture operations in the hotel to develop, empower, coach and counsel, conduct performance and salary reviews, resolve problems, provide open communication, discipline and terminate as appropriate.
• Ensure all associate relations activities are administered consistently and in a timely manner.

Payroll

• Participate in the centralized payroll process to ensure that all associates are paid properly on a bi-weekly basis.

Strategic Management

• Responsible for the short and long term planning and the daily operations of the People Resources department. 
• Develops and recommends the hotel’s People & Culture objectives.
• Participates in total management as a member of the Hotel Executive Committee.
• Positions the property as the “preferred employer” in the area.
• Notifies the General Manager and/or Divisional Director of People Resources of any potential liability and proposes proper course of action to prevent the hotel from incurring any such liability.

Total Rewards

• Survey, recommend, implement and manage an hourly wage program and administer the management salary program within the corporate policies and procedures and maintain compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• Survey, implement, communicate and administer the benefit program in compliance with corporate procedures to aid and retain associates.  Propose enhancements to the proper authority for approval before implementation.

Risk/Safety/Security

• Ensure accident/loss prevention and security policies are followed.
• Align safety standards with corporate SOPs and set appropriate property specific standards.

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with corporate SOPs and procedures along with state, federal and local laws and regulations as they pertain to every facet of people Resources/Associate related functions.
• Ensure compliance with brand standards.
• Ensure proper maintenance of associate records, files and human resources office systems.  Manage the compilation and analyze various corporate reports and property reports to provide management with accurate information and comply with corporate policies and procedures as well as government laws and regulations.
• If applicable ensure complete compliance with all negotiated union contract terms and reporting requirements.

Education/Formal Training

Four-year college degree or equivalent experience/education preferred.

Experience

• Four to five years of employment in human resources or related field, preferably in the hospitality industry.
• Proven successful implementation of people resource process.
• Exposure/knowedge of hospitality operations.

Knowledge/Skills

• Superior communication skills.
• Manage ideas and decision-making with creativity and innovation.
• Proven ability to negotiate, convince, sell and influence professionals and/or guests.
• Bi-lingual fluency preferred.
• Must be hospitality oriented.
• Must possess ability to work under pressure.
• Strong skill at completing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work both strategically and tactically in a fast-paced high energy environment.
• Excellent hearing required to discern/resolve employee complaints, issues and participation in meetings for feedback.
• Excellent vision required -100% in review preparation of all documentation -applications, write-ups, reviews.
• Excellent speech communication skills required for communicating benefits policy, provide testimony training.
• Excellent comprehension and literacy required for review and preparation of all documentation.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lifting/pushing/pulling/carrying -approximately 5%. Bending/kneeling -to get files -5% annually.
• Mobility -40% of 10 hour day is spent around the hotel. Continuous standing -during training and lobby lizard duty.
• No climbing required. Driving -occasionally to attend hearings and recruitment activities.

Environment

95% indoor office

• Eligible to participate in Sage bonus plan

• Unlimited paid time off

• Medical, dental, & vision insurance

• Eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) program with employer matching

• Health savings and flexible spending accounts

• Basic Life and AD&D insurance

• Company-paid short-term disability

• Paid FMLA leave for up to a period of 12 weeks

• Employee Assistance Program

• Great discounts on Hotels, Restaurants, and much more.

• Eligible to participate in the Employee Referral Bonus Program. Up to $1,000 per referral.