Director of Human Resources (Pre-Opening)

One of Melbourne’s most iconic CBD arcades is fast transforming into a landmark retail and holiday destination. The redevelopment of "Melbourne Walk" Arcade will soon see IHGs first Australian dual-branded hotel project. Nestled in the heart of Melbourne's vibrant CBD, this project combines the boutique charm of Hotel Indigo with the modern comfort of Holiday Inn, offering a unique blend of hospitality experiences across 452 rooms.

Open the door into Hotel Indigo and guests can expect local character, modern design and warm, professional service with a vibrant and individual flavour, bringing the edgy laneway neighbourhood of Little Collins Street to life. Making the most of the retail haven, Holiday Inn will offer a modern, fresh and friendly stay for a wide variety of guests coming to enjoy the convenience and value they know and love from Holiday Inn, and all that Bourke Street Mall has to offer.

We are on the lookout for an enthusiastic and strategic, Director of Human Resources, with a passion for all things people and performance, to join our Pre-Opening team, working across these flagship properties. Reporting into the General Manager, this key leadership role will foster a positive and productive work environment, driving all aspects of the employee life-cycle, including talent acquisition, development and engagement, performance management and compliance, all whilst coaching and collaborating with senior leadership in building a high-performance culture that supports our business objectives and service standards.

A little taste of your day-to-day

Every day is different, but as part of the pre-opening team, you will play a key role in ensuring our hotel team are ready to welcome their first guests, including:

• HR Operations: Lead the HR function across both properties, managing all HR operations including recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and training and development.
• HR Governance: Develop and implement HR policies and procedures in alignment with business objectives, IHG ways of working and local employment regulations.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop across the two hotels, ensuring high levels of engagement and performance. 
• Budget Management: Collaborate with the General Manager on financial planning, forecasting, and achieving revenue and profitability goals.
• Quality Control & Compliance: Ensure that both properties adhere to all legal, safety, and regulatory requirements, as well as internal company standards.
• Operational Efficiency: Implement best practices to optimize resources and streamline operations across the properties, focusing on cost control, energy efficiency, and sustainability initiatives.
• Sales & Marketing: Work with the sales and marketing teams to maximize room occupancy, increase bookings, and promote hotel services. Act as brand ambassador, embodying and communicating the identity of a dual-branded property in the market.
• Maintenance & Facility Management: Coordinate with maintenance teams to ensure both properties are well-maintained and functioning at optimal levels.

What we need from you

This role is pivotal to the success of our hotel opening and operation, in a highly competitive market, so to see this through we’re looking for a talented professional with the perfect blend of strategic vision, operational expertise, people leadership, and extensive financial expertise and business acumen. 

In addition, you will possess:

• Ability to work autonomously and manage workload and key deliverables within a project opening timeline.
• Capacity to build and lead a high-performing and engaged team and commitment to developing and coaching colleagues. 
• High level communication and relationship management skills, collaborating with a wide variety of stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Strong business acumen, results-oriented and commitment to driving continual improvement. 
• Proficiency in HR and Payroll software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail.
• Extensive experience within hotel operations in a senior leadership or hotel manager role and (ideally) prior involvement in a pre-opening.
• Experience working in a multi-property or cluster environment is highly desirable.
• Tertiary education within a Human Resources, Business, Psychology or related field (preferred). 

What you can expect from us

Not only will you benefit from a truly unique and career-defining opportunity as part of this exciting hotel opening, working with a talented and experienced General Manager and New Hotel Openings team, but you’ll receive a competitive salary that rewards all your hard work and a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life – including, impressive room discounts and some of the best training in the business.

Most importantly, your career journey will be supported through our lifelong development programs, IHG career milestone celebrations, and transfer of leave entitlements as you move and grow with IHG.

Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate differences and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance. Always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 

So, join us and you’ll become part of our ever-growing global family.