Head of People & Culture - Luxury Hospitality

Director of People & Culture | Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection Job Category: HR - Administration Requisition Number: DIREC041607 Posted: May 15, 2026 Full-Time On-site Locations Pay or shift range: $140,000 USD to $150,000 USD Description Sandbourne Santa Monica, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, is a serene, design‑forward beachfront hotel steps from the Pacific Ocean. Created by acclaimed designer Gulla Jónsdóttir, the property blends artful design with a focus on tranquility and elevated guest experiences. The Director of People & Culture will oversee all HR functions, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and fostering a positive workplace culture aligned with the hotel's luxury service standards. This leadership role requires a strategic thinker with a passion for hospitality, talent development, and employee engagement. We offer industry‑leading competitive wages, a full range of benefits, and access to associate rate discounts at Marriott properties worldwide. Benefits Highly competitive salary of $140,000 - $150,000 Performance bonus eligibility Exceptional benefit plan for eligible associate(s) and family members 401K matching program for eligible associates Flexible scheduling Discounts with Crescent managed properties in North America for you and family members

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Talent Management: Develop and implement recruitment strategies to attract top hospitality talent for leadership and hourly positions across all departments, as needed. Oversee onboarding programs to ensure new hires are integrated seamlessly. Associate Relations & Engagement: Foster a positive, inclusive, and productive, issue‑free work environment. Serve as a credible, visible, and trusted advisor to managers and associates on HR matters. Timely address and resolve associate concerns, ensuring compliance with company policies. Organize associate engagement and recognition programs in alignment with Crescent’s initiatives. Training & Development: Facilitate training programs to enhance associate job skills and guest service focus and delivery. Oversee leadership development and succession planning efforts. Ensure timely and comprehensive compliance training for all associates. Manage payroll processes with Finance to ensure accuracy and compliance. Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and wellness initiatives. Monitor industry trends to ensure competitive compensation structures. Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws. Maintain up‑to‑date associate records and HR documentation. Lead workplace investigations and implement corrective actions as needed. Oversee workplace safety programs and support risk mitigation strategies.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

5+ years of HR leadership experience, with minimum 2 years at an HRD level in the hospitality or related industry is preferred. Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field is preferred. Experience working under a hotel union collective bargaining agreement required. Proven knowledge of California wage and employment laws required. Proven advanced knowledge of employment laws. Experience with UKG/Ultipro systems and payroll processing. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem‑solving skills. Ability to work in a fast‑paced, luxury hospitality environment. Proficiency in Spanish language highly preferred. Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr Crescent Hotels & Resorts