Director of People and Culture

Company description

Join a hotel that is a member of the Accor network, whose group brings together more than 45 brands, 5,500 hotels, 10,000 restaurants and lifestyle destinations. Here, we believe in you and what you bring to the table. There are many opportunities for development and advancement. Every gesture, every smile, every action, contributes to creating a positive and memorable impact for our customers, our colleagues and also for our planet. Together, we embody the vision of responsible hospitality.

Take the opportunity to become a Heartist® and let your heart guide you in this world where life beats faster.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Director of People & Culture to join our hotel in Baghdad, Iraq. In this pivotal leadership role, you will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive human resources strategies that foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing organizational culture. You will partner with executive leadership to align people initiatives with business objectives while championing employee engagement, talent development, and organizational excellence.

Develop, implement, and oversee comprehensive HR policies, procedures, and standards aligned with local Iraqi labor laws, industry best practices, and organizational values

Lead talent acquisition and recruitment initiatives, including interviewing, assessing, and evaluating prospective employees at all organizational levels

Design and implement competitive compensation and benefits programs that attract and retain top talent while ensuring market competitiveness

Oversee payroll administration, benefits management, legal compliance, and employment law adherence across the organization

Conduct performance management reviews and provide coaching to address performance issues with professionalism and empathy

Develop and execute training and development programs that build employee capabilities and support career progression

Create and maintain succession plans for middle and senior management positions in collaboration with department heads and executive leadership

Foster a positive, inclusive workplace culture through employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and social and recreational activities

Manage employee relations, including grievance resolution, disciplinary procedures, and labor organization communications with transparency and fairness

Ensure compliance with local health, safety, and occupational regulations specific to Baghdad and Iraq

Prepare and manage departmental budgets, forecasts, and monthly reporting on talent and culture metrics

Participate in management meetings to review progress toward business plan goals and contribute to strategic planning

Act as an internal consultant, providing guidance on HR matters and supporting managers in resolving workplace challenges

Maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive HR matters and employee information

Lead the HR team through recruitment, selection, performance management, and continuous professional development

Qualifications

Minimum 5 years of management experience in human resources or related organizational development roles

Proven expertise in HR administration, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and performance management

Strong knowledge of Iraqi labor laws, occupational safety and health legislation, and local employment practices

Excellent communication, listening, and negotiation skills with the ability to influence at all organizational levels

Demonstrated ability to create and maintain a positive, inclusive working environment

Strong analytical and data-driven mindset with ability to interpret HR metrics and trends

Exceptional time management and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities

Ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams

Self-driven, resilient, and adaptable to changing business needs

Professional demeanor with strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity

Ability to maintain complete professionalism and confidentiality in all HR matters

Flexibility to work beyond standard business hours when required

Domain expertise:

Strategic HR planning and organizational development

Talent acquisition and recruitment

Compensation and benefits administration

Performance management and employee development

Succession planning and leadership development

Employee engagement and culture building

Change management

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives

Budget management and financial acumen

Stakeholder management at executive level

Grievance and disciplinary management