Overview
HR Director | Full Time | Kings Cross, London | Competitive Salary DoE + Bonus & Benefits
At The Standard, we don’t just run hotels—we create cultural hubs, social playgrounds, and unforgettable experiences. Our spaces buzz with energy, inclusivity, and creativity, and at the heart of it all is our incredible team. We don’t do cookie-cutter. We don’t do scripts. We do personality, passion, and individuality. We believe hotels should be destinations, experiences, and moments guests remember long after they leave. We challenge the status quo, bringing bold ideas, unconventional luxury, and immersive culture to everything we do. Whether it’s a buzzing lobby, an unforgettable dining experience, or a rooftop that becomes the city’s go-to spot, we create spaces that are as dynamic as the people who visit them.
Following the ongoing development of our Lifestyle division and the expansion of our HR leadership, we are seeking an HR Director to join our senior leadership team at The Standard, London and lead the people strategy for our flagship European property. This is a pivotal opportunity for a confident, strategic, and hands-on HR leader to build on a strong foundation, driving forward our culture, performance, and people agenda with both operational excellence and long-term vision.
Responsibilities
* Lead the hotel’s people and culture strategy, working with the General Manager, the Senior Executive Team, and the HR Director, Lifestyle, EAME.
* Direct a team of three HR professionals and oversee all people-related activity across the hotel for a workforce of over 320 employees.
* Own the HR agenda across Talent Attraction, Learning & Development, Employee Engagement, Employee Relations, and Strategic Workforce Planning.
* Translate culture into commercial results and align people strategy with business performance.
* Provide involvement beyond operations to include financial and strategic planning, including design and management of annual staffing and payroll budgets, workforce forecasting, and labour cost analysis.
* Partner with the Director of Finance to ensure alignment between financial performance and staffing strategy; review monthly payroll and productivity metrics; monitor headcount and wage costs, and make recommendations to optimise workforce efficiency while protecting guest experience and brand culture.
* Manage compensation and benefits framework and oversee performance-based pay initiatives; contribute to monthly ownership and corporate reporting by producing HR data and insights for key decisions.
* Lead initiatives to strengthen organisational culture, focusing on engagement, recognition, and career growth; act as a trusted advisor and coach to the leadership team; support managers in people leadership and development.
* Champion diversity and inclusion, encourage open communication, and model the authenticity and creativity that define The Standard brand.
* Ensure HR is a strategic, data-driven partner that influences profitability, performance, and long-term success of our people and brand.
* Demonstrate high social adaptability, positivity, and ability to work under pressure in a high-volume, high-energy environment; manage relationships with employees and senior managers with ease.
Qualifications
* At least 3+ years of experience as a HR Director, Head of HR, or Senior HR Manager within a lifestyle, boutique, or luxury hospitality environment.
* Thorough understanding of UK employment law and HR best practices.
* Proven experience across multiple HR disciplines including talent acquisition, employee relations, engagement, payroll, and L&D.
* Experience developing HR, staffing, productivity and payroll budgets and plans with a creative, blue-sky approach to people initiatives.
* Experience producing monthly business and HR metric reports for both corporate and private ownership.
* Proactive, solutions-focused mindset with exceptional communication and coaching skills.
* CIPD Level 7 or equivalent qualification.
* Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and positivity in all employee interactions.
* Experience using HR systems such as Fourth HR/Payroll, PeopleSoft, Peoplebank ATS, Taleo; Mapal One LMS is a plus.
All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the United Kingdom. Documented evidence of eligibility will be required from candidates prior to commencing employment.
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