Assistant Director of People & Culture

Situated in Downtown’s Second Street District, Austin Proper Hotel and Residences is an iconic luxury destination just steps from Lady Bird Lake, ACL Live, and the city’s best shopping. With expressive interiors by Kelly Wearstler and culinary concepts by McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality, the hotel offers 238 design-forward rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, immersive wellness experiences, and menus built around local farms, vibrant produce, and nutrient-rich ingredients. Wellness, design, and culture, seamlessly woven into every stay.

About This Role

At Proper, we believe hospitality is more than a profession — it’s an opportunity to make lives better. The Assistant Director of People & Culture is a key steward of that belief, partnering closely with the Director of People & Culture to build and sustain a workplace where every colleague feels seen, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

This role leads day-to-day People & Culture operations across HR, employee engagement, talent acquisition, learning and development, and employee relations. The right candidate brings a genuine love for people, a commitment to excellence, and the resourcefulness to craft thoughtful solutions in a fast-moving, design-forward hospitality environment. Guided by the Pillars of Proper — Care Proper, Achieve Proper, Imagine Proper, and Present Proper — you will help shape a culture that inspires and transports not just our guests, but our team.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

HR Operations & Compliance

• Oversee day-to-day HR operations including employee relations, payroll coordination, benefits administration, and HRIS management
• Ensure consistent compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws, company policies, and industry best practices
• Maintain accurate, confidential employee records in adherence to all applicable data privacy regulations
• Implement HR programs and policies that improve operational efficiency and uphold Proper’s standards of excellence

Employee Engagement & Culture

• Partner with the Director of People & Culture to design and deliver engagement initiatives that reinforce the Pillars of Proper and foster genuine belonging
• Manage employee listening programs — surveys, feedback loops, and recognition initiatives — and translate insights into meaningful action
• Champion a workplace culture where colleagues feel cared for, heard, and motivated to grow
• Address employee concerns with sensitivity, fairness, and a sense of urgency, escalating issues when appropriate

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Lead recruitment and onboarding processes that reflect the Proper experience from first contact, ensuring new colleagues feel welcomed from day one
• Collaborate with department leaders to identify talent needs, close gaps, and build proactive sourcing strategies
• Manage the full candidate pipeline: screen, interview, and extend offers to top-tier hospitality professionals
• Develop onboarding experiences that connect new hires to the Proper mission, culture, and team

Performance Management & Development

• Support the performance management cycle, including goal setting, coaching conversations, and development planning
• Identify high-potential colleagues and contribute to succession planning and leadership pipeline programs
• Advise managers and supervisors on performance issues and the development of improvement plans
• Promote a culture of continuous learning by developing and delivering training programs across the organization

Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution

• Serve as a trusted, objective resource for employee relations matters including conflict resolution, disciplinary processes, and workplace investigations
• Navigate sensitive situations with emotional intelligence, fairness, and clear alignment to Proper’s values and policies
• Foster open communication between colleagues and leadership, helping to resolve concerns before they escalate

Compensation & Benefits

• Support the administration of competitive, equitable compensation and benefits programs across health, retirement, and wellness
• Monitor market trends to ensure Proper remains a compelling destination for top hospitality talent
• Assist with benefits enrollment, plan communications, and colleague inquiries

HR Reporting & Analytics

• Collect and analyze key HR metrics — including turnover, engagement scores, and time-to-fill — to surface trends and opportunities
• Deliver clear, actionable reports to the Director of People & Culture and senior leadership
• Use data to make evidence-based recommendations that strengthen HR practices and organizational outcomes

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Partner with the Director of People & Culture to equip leaders with the tools, frameworks, and coaching to manage their teams effectively
• Support organizational change initiatives by communicating clearly, building alignment, and modeling Proper’s values throughout transitions
• Serve as a visible, approachable presence for colleagues at all levels — someone the team trusts and turns to

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field strongly preferred
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, including HR operations, employee relations, talent acquisition, and talent management
• Prior experience in a hospitality environment — preferably luxury or lifestyle — strongly preferred
• Previous leadership or managerial HR role preferred
• Solid knowledge of labor laws, HR best practices, and performance management frameworks
• SHRM-CP, PHR, or equivalent HR certification preferred

Skills & Competencies

• A natural host and people champion — someone who genuinely cares about the colleague experience and shows it every day
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across all levels of the organization
• Strategic thinker who can align HR initiatives to business goals without losing sight of the human element
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate complex, sensitive situations with grace and clarity
• Resourceful problem-solver who brings creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset to every challenge
• Able to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and HRIS platforms; experience with Workday a plus

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in an office and hotel environment, including extended periods at a desk
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs for event-related or office tasks
• Occasional travel required for recruitment events, conferences, and multi-property needs

Why Join Proper Hospitality

At Proper, we build experiences that move people — and that begins with the team behind them. As a best-in-class employer, we’re committed to creating one of the Best Places to Work in hospitality by nurturing a culture where creativity, excellence, and humanity thrive together.

Everything we do is grounded in the belief that hospitality is more than a profession - it’s an opportunity to care for others and make lives better. Guided by the Pillars of Proper , we show up with warmth and authenticity ( Care Proper ), strive for excellence in everything we do ( Achieve Proper ), think creatively and resourcefully ( Imagine Proper ), and take pride in the style and culture that make us who we are ( Present Proper ).

We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we invest deeply in their wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful development programs, Proper is designed to help you build a career, and a life, that feels as inspiring as the experiences we create for our guests.

Our Commitment: Building the Best Place to Work

Our Best Place to Work initiative is a living commitment — a continuous investment in our people, our culture, and our purpose. We listen, learn, and evolve together to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to imagine boldly, achieve confidently, care deeply, and present themselves authentically.

At Proper, joining the team means more than finding a job — it means joining a community that believes in building beautiful experiences together , for our guests and for one another.

Proper Hospitality is an equal-opportunity employer. We provide employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federally or state-protected category. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with local Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances.