Director of People and Culture

Director of People & Culture

The Dewberry Charleston | Charleston, South Carolina

Reports to: Hotel Manager
Department: People & Culture
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

At The Dewberry, thoughtful hospitality begins with the people who bring it to life. The Director of People & Culture is a senior leadership position responsible for the strategic direction and daily execution of the hotel's human resources function, ensuring the care behind our colleague experience reflects the attention that defines our guest experience. Reporting to the Hotel Manager, this individual serves as a trusted advisor to hotel leadership, providing experienced counsel on organizational needs, employee relations, talent development, and performance accountability. The Director leads and develops the People & Culture team, establishes departmental priorities, and takes ownership of policies, processes, and sensitive employment matters. This role calls for an established human resources leader with dedicated HR experience and a demonstrated record of managing direct reports, advising department leaders, and independently leading an HR department or substantial areas of responsibility within one. Success requires warmth, discretion, and the confidence to make thoughtful decisions in a demanding hospitality environment.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Culture

• Establish and execute the hotel's People & Culture strategy in partnership with the Hotel Manager, translating business priorities into clear departmental goals.
• Lead, supervise, and develop the People & Culture team, with responsibility for work assignments, performance expectations, coaching, reviews, and professional development.
• Serve as a senior advisor to department leaders on staffing, employee relations, organizational structure, and leadership effectiveness.
• Manage the departmental budget and oversee outside service providers.
• Maintain a warm, visible presence throughout the hotel, building trusting relationships with colleagues across departments and shifts.
• Reinforce The Dewberry's service standards, values, and expectations through consistent leadership practices.
• Use workforce trends, colleague feedback, and operational insights to recommend improvements and report progress to hotel leadership.

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Direct recruitment and selection for hourly, supervisory, management, and leadership positions.
• Partner with department leaders to anticipate staffing needs, evaluate organizational structure, and establish hiring priorities.
• Maintain accurate job descriptions and consistent interview and selection practices.
• Oversee candidate screening, interviews, employment offers, and pre-employment requirements.
• Develop relationships with hospitality schools, community organizations, and recruiting partners.
• Lead a welcoming, thoughtfully organized orientation and onboarding experience that introduces colleagues to the hotel's culture and service expectations.
• Hold department leaders accountable for structured onboarding, training, and early performance feedback.
• Oversee internship and international exchange programs, as applicable.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Lead the hotel's approach to employee relations, balancing colleague care with consistent expectations and operational needs.
• Independently conduct timely, impartial workplace investigations, document findings, and recommend appropriate action.
• Advise department leaders on coaching, corrective action, performance improvement, and separation decisions.
• Coordinate with the Hotel Manager and legal counsel on complex or sensitive employment matters.
• Oversee performance reviews and ensure managers provide meaningful feedback and timely follow-through.
• Guide succession planning and leadership development to strengthen the hotel's internal talent pipeline.
• Identify recurring workplace concerns and implement practical improvements that support retention, trust, and accountability.

Policies, Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain, evaluate, and communicate the employee handbook, workplace policies, and departmental procedures.
• Monitor applicable employment requirements and coordinate with legal counsel and other advisors when specialized guidance is needed.
• Oversee employment documentation, work authorization verification, record retention, and required notices.
• Manage workers' compensation reporting and claims coordination, including return-to-work arrangements.
• Partner with department leaders to support workplace safety and required employee training.
• Review HR practices regularly, identify gaps, and implement corrective improvements.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and exercise discretion in handling personnel information and sensitive business matters.

Training, Engagement & Recognition

• Establish training priorities that support leadership effectiveness, thoughtful service, workplace conduct, and consistent management practices.
• Partner with department leaders to identify development needs and monitor training completion and effectiveness.
• Coach managers in communication, conflict resolution, team development, and performance accountability.
• Oversee colleague recognition, appreciation events, internal communications, and engagement initiatives.
• Gather colleague feedback and translate findings into clear actions with assigned ownership and follow-through.
• Coordinate community involvement and colleague volunteer opportunities.
• Track turnover, vacancies, retention, and other relevant measures to evaluate progress and inform leadership decisions.

Qualifications

Required Experience & Capabilities

• Dedicated, progressive experience in human resources, including responsibility for employee relations, recruitment, performance management, policy administration, and employment practices.
• Previous formal management of direct reports, including setting priorities, delegating work, coaching teammates, conducting performance reviews, and addressing performance concerns.
• Experience leading an HR department or independently overseeing substantial HR functions at the manager level or above, with accountability for decisions and results.
• Demonstrated experience advising department heads and senior leaders on sensitive employee matters, organizational needs, and performance accountability.
• Experience independently conducting workplace investigations, documenting findings, and recommending appropriate action in partnership with leadership and legal counsel when needed.
• A record of developing and implementing HR policies, improving departmental processes, and guiding managers through organizational change.
• Experience managing recruitment and selection for management and leadership positions, alongside broader staffing needs.
• Working knowledge of federal and South Carolina employment requirements and the judgment to recognize when specialized guidance is needed.
• Experience with ADP or a comparable human resources information system, including maintaining accurate records and using workforce data to inform decisions.
• Strong written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with thoughtful attention to detail and consistent follow-through.
• Sound judgment and demonstrated discretion in handling confidential information.
• Understanding of the staffing, scheduling, and service demands of a hotel operating around the clock.
• A genuine commitment to hospitality and the ability to build trusting relationships with colleagues at every level.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven or more years of dedicated human resources experience, including at least three years in an HR management or leadership position with direct reports.
• Prior experience as a Director of Human Resources, Director of People & Culture, or senior HR manager with broad departmental responsibility.
• Human resources leadership experience within a luxury hotel, resort, or comparable hospitality environment.
• Experience overseeing departmental budgets, benefits administration, compensation planning, and relationships with outside HR service providers.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience considered.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.

Leadership Expectations

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A warm, approachable presence grounded in professionalism and discretion.
• The ability to move between strategic planning and hands-on execution while maintaining clear priorities.
• Fair, consistent decision-making and the confidence to address difficult issues directly.
• Ownership of departmental results, including the quality and timeliness of the team's work.
• The ability to develop direct reports, delegate effectively, and hold others accountable with clarity and care.
• Credibility with senior leadership and the judgment to offer thoughtful recommendations on complex matters.
• A commitment to preserving The Dewberry's distinct culture while strengthening the practices that support our people.

Work Environment & Schedule

This role is based on site at The Dewberry Charleston, where a visible presence and meaningful connections with colleagues are essential to caring for our team. In keeping with the rhythm of hotel life, flexibility is needed to support daily operations, colleague gatherings, and occasional evening, weekend, and holiday commitments. Responsibilities include office work, time spent throughout the property, and active participation in training and colleague events. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the role. This description reflects the primary responsibilities of the position, with additional duties that may evolve alongside the needs of the hotel and our team.