People & Culture Manager

Job Description

We Invite you to join the world of luxury hospitality at Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square as our new People & Culture Manager.

Reporting to the General Manager, the People & Culture Manager oversees all human resources and workplace compliance functions for the property in accordance with Accor policies, HOA governing documents, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations. This role is responsible for colleague relations, performance management, talent development, benefits administration, and fostering a culture aligned with Accor’s values with a focus on Make Special Happen promise.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day‑to‑day operations of the People & Culture Department, supporting the execution of the property’s People & Culture strategy.
• Partner with leadership to address organizational needs across employee relations, payroll, compensation and benefits, recognition, development, administration, and colleague wellness.
• Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture by fostering open communication, trust, mutual respect, and continuous feedback.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, consistently delivering professional and engaging service.
• Lead end‑to‑end recruitment and hiring processes, including job postings, applicant tracking (SmartRecruiters), candidate follow‑up, job offers, background checks, I‑9 compliance, and onboarding administration.
• Facilitate new hire orientation, onboarding programs, and Heartist Culture training to promote engagement, compliance, and brand alignment.
• Oversee internal mobility processes, including internal applicants, referral programs, and tracking of referral payouts.
• Serve as the technical point of contact for Ceridian, Employee Benefits Portal, and HERO (Talent Acquisition, Performance Management, and Learning), supporting system implementation, testing, training, audits, and continuous improvements.
• Oversee benefits administration and review bi‑weekly payroll processing to ensure accuracy and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Oversee and support annual performance review cycles, goal setting, talent development planning, and Employee Engagement Survey (EES) action planning.
• Produce HR metrics, corporate and regulatory reports, and workforce analytics including turnover, training hours, promotions, wage analysis, and budget planning.
• Collaborate with Northern California People & Culture teams to support Learning & Development and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and enforce policies, procedures, and standards in alignment with Accor requirements, California labor laws, industry best practices, and local regulations.
• Ensure full compliance with all company policies, employment legislation, GDPR, PCI, data privacy standards, and all applicable local and state regulations.
• Ensure adherence to the Davis‑Stirling Civil Code and all applicable HOA Governing Documents related to employment practices and governance.
• Act as the primary liaison for labor relations, maintaining positive relationships with organized labor groups and shop stewards.
• Participate in labor negotiations, grievance processes, disciplinary actions, and contract interpretation or dispute resolution.
• Lead and complete all required annual corporate and regulatory audits, including payroll, wage compliance, 401(k), and other compliance‑related audits.
• Support the completion of the Annual SAQ Audit and partner with the Executive Team to develop and implement corrective action plans to strengthen controls and ongoing compliance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

What you will bring to this role?

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Human Resources, Hospitality Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in People & Culture (Human Resources), compliance, labor relations, operations, and/or community or property management.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in Hospitality preferred.
• Proven experience leading, developing, and advising teams, with strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage colleagues at all levels, senior leadership, and ownership stakeholders.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human resources practices, California labor laws, employment regulations, and labor relations.
• Experience utilizing HR and compliance‑related systems for recruitment, benefits administration, reporting, analysis, and presentations.
• Highly organized, responsible, and reliable, with exceptional attention to detail and confidentiality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other relevant business systems.
• Valid CA drivers’ license must be in good standing
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively in a team‑oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, professional, and service‑focused while responding to colleague needs.
• Embrace the Fairmont brand promise and luxury in your role and in all your interactions.
• Foster an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued and respected
• Create an environment where colleagues are empowered, supported and recognized

Additional Information

Visa Requirements: Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the USA. We are unable to sponsor work visas.

Starting hourly wage: Salary Range $110,000 - $135,000 annual salary plus benefits and bonus, offer wage based on experience

Employee Benefits:
Join our team and enjoy a range of exclusive colleague perks, including complimentary upgrades, extended stays, discounted stays across Fairmont & Raffles properties, special dining and wellness discounts, and added luxuries to enhance your experience. We believe in taking care of our team, ensuring that your hard work is rewarded with exceptional benefits. Other benefits found in "What's In It For You?"

Our Values

Respect: We value the needs, ideas and individuality of others. We treat everyone with fairness and dignity. 

Excellence: We make genuine connections, and we cherish every opportunity to make the people around us feel special.​

Belonging: We celebrate our differences. We support each other and we always stand together.​

Empowerment: We have authority to take initiative and anticipate moments that create unforgettable experiences. ​

Integrity: We build trust through mutual respect and being authentic.​

Diversity & Inclusion

Fairmont is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diverse talent thrives. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join our team.

Compensation: 110000 to 135000 (USD) (YEARLY)