Director of People & Culture

Sage Hospitality Group is in search of a Director of People & Culture the Embassy Suites by Hilton Bethesda team. Are you looking for a place that will inspire and challenge you? Let us be that place, as we show you the joys of working in hospitality!

• Un-conventional (Location and Look)
• Approachable (Upscale Unexpected Service)
• Down to Earth (Focus on sustainability efforts for guests and associates)
• Business and Leisure in Bethesda (Our Vibe)

This Embassy Suites by Hilton is a gateway to Bethesda, Rockville and the lively downtown DC scene. The team at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Bethesda looks forward to sharing their experiences with you and can offer you an environment focused on learning and development. Come and choose your next career adventure at our Embassy Suites and not only have fun where you work but be a part of our unconventional, approachable, down to earth team!

At Sage Hospitality Group, we look for innovative leaders, with an eye for disruption. Never looking for someone just looking for a job, we are looking for the power players, the people who want to rise to the top. Sage allows for opportunities for growth and personal fulfillment, paying attention to the parts that keep us human and happy. We want to attract and retain associates that are engaged in our culture, passionate about hospitality and excited to enrich lives, one experience at a time. Sage Hospitality Group was founded on a spirt of bold individuality. By going our own way, we have created some of the world’s best hotels, restaurants, and experiences. But the truth is, none of it would have happened without people like you. People who follow their own path, wo are hungry to learn and who love their community. People who do not sit around and wait, they just do. You belong here.

The purpose of this role is to design, align, and execute a People & Culture strategy that supports both the strategic and operational objectives of the business. The People & Culture Director leads all People & Culture (Human Resources) functions at the property, balancing compliance, culture, and performance while addressing both challenges and opportunities. This role serves as a strategic advisor to the Hotel Executive Committee on all people-related matters and partners closely with the General Manager, with functional alignment and guidance from the Regional Director of People & Culture.

The People & Culture Director is responsible for leading talent strategy, associate engagement, compliance, risk mitigation, and workforce planning while ensuring alignment with Sage Hospitality Group values, policies, brand standards, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This role proactively identifies opportunities for improvement and implements scalable solutions that elevate the associate experience and business outcomes.

Talent Management

• Plan, develop, coordinate, and lead all People & Culture functions at the property to attract, develop, motivate, and retain associates in a compliant, inclusive, and performance-driven environment.
• Lead recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding strategies for hourly and leadership roles, ensuring alignment with Sage standards, brand expectations, and legal requirements.
• Oversee performance management practices, including completion of evaluations and facilitation of performance improvement plans in partnership with leaders.
• Ensure staffing models and workforce plans align with business needs, service standards, and financial objectives.

Training

• Assess organizational needs and plan, implement, and oversee training programs for hourly, supervisory, and management associates, including Sage core training and brand-required programs.
• Partner with leaders to strengthen leadership capability, reduce risk, and build consistent management practices across the property.

Associate Relations

• Counsel and coach leaders on associate relations matters, including performance, conduct, and conflict resolution.
• Oversee investigations, grievance resolution, and exit interview processes, analyzing trends and recommending corrective actions.
• Design and implement associate engagement and relations initiatives that foster trust, inclusion, and retention.
• Develop and manage budgets related to associate relations, training, recruitment advertising, and People & Culture staffing.
• Lead and supervise People & Culture operations at the property, including coaching, development, performance feedback, and corrective action when necessary.
• Ensure consistent, timely, and equitable administration of associate relations practices.

Strategic Management

• Provide short- and long-term People & Culture planning aligned with hotel goals and Sage strategy.
• Establish People & Culture objectives and metrics that support operational excellence and cultural health.
• Serve as an active member of the Hotel Executive Committee, contributing to enterprise-level decision-making.
• Position the property as an employer of choice through community partnerships, branding, and associate advocacy.
• Proactively identify potential risk or liability and notify the General Manager and Regional Director of People & Culture with recommended mitigation strategies.

Total Rewards

• Partner in the administration of hourly wage structures and leadership compensation programs in alignment with corporate guidelines and legal requirements.
• Communicate, administer, and support benefit programs in accordance with corporate policies, ensuring associates understand available offerings and enrollment processes.
• Recommend enhancements to compensation or benefits programs through appropriate approval channels.

Risk/Safety/Security

• Ensure safety, accident prevention, and security practices are followed consistently.
• Align property safety standards with corporate SOPs and establish property-specific practices as appropriate.

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all Sage policies, brand standards, and applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Maintain oversight of associate records, files, and People & Culture systems to ensure audit readiness and confidentiality.
• Oversee People & Culture reporting, analyzing trends and providing leadership with accurate, actionable insights.
• Ensure compliance with union agreements, if applicable, including reporting and contractual obligations.
• Oversee and ensure accurate People & Culture transactions through UKG workflows, including hires, terminations, transfers, and compensation changes.

Education/Formal Training

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management or a related field, or equivalent education and experience preferred.
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification and/or SHRM Certified Professional preferred

Experience

• Four to five years of progressive experience in People & Culture (Human Resources) or a related field.
• Demonstrated success implementing people strategies, programs, and process improvements.
• Union experience preferred, where applicable.

Knowledge/Skills

• Strong executive-level communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to think strategically while executing tactically in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to negotiate, influence, and partner effectively with leaders and stakeholders.
• Bilingual fluency preferred.
• Strong hospitality orientation with the ability to manage complexity and ambiguity.
• High level of judgment, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and compliance.
• Strong literacy and comprehension skills required for review and preparation of People & Culture 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, or carrying materials approximately 5 percent of the time.
• Occasional bending or kneeling to access files.
• Mobility throughout the hotel, with a significant portion of the day spent engaging with associates and leaders.
• Periodic standing during training and associate engagement activities.
• Driving may be required occasionally for hearings, meetings, or recruitment activities.

Environment

95% indoor office

Independence Plan

• 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