Group Head of People & Culture | Hastings Hotels

Hastings Hotels is a long established, family owned, luxury hotel group based in Northern Ireland. We are pleased to be recruiting for the senior position Group Head of People and Culture, to support our strategic workforce planning, talent development and to lead our HR team. We are seeking an exceptional, confident, and experienced people and culture professional for the position, located in Head Office, next to the Stormont Hotel.

Reporting to our Managing Director, James McGinn, you will lead Hastings Hotels workforce management, charting the course for recruitment, talent development, and employee engagement initiatives that align with the group's long-term vision and values while motivating your team through consistent communication, inspiring the team to success, supported by our Hastings CultureThis is an exciting role for an experienced professional with excellent communication and influencing skills, with a proven track record in delivering and leading in a large organisation, to shape and influence high quality people practices.

As a reward you can expect a highly, competitive salary, training, and development as well as employee discounts internally and externally. Apply nowImportant InformationLocation: Corporate Head Office, 1066 House, 587 Upper Newtownards Road, 587 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, County Antrim, BT4 3LPDate Posted: 8th July 2025Closing Date: 30th July 2025Industry: HospitalityJob Type: Full timeSalary: Based on ExperienceAbout The RoleAs Group Head of People and Culture you will lead in strategic planning, comprehensive people oversight, and the management of a dynamic team of people professionals for Hastings Hotels.

You will have responsibility for ensuring optimal use and potential efficiencies of all resources and systems related to the People Function. You will strive for continuous improvement and development in our employee experience, strategy and processes to maintain a future ready focus. Key Skills Excellent communication skills at all levels with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility to represent Hastings Hotels and enhance its reputation, internally and externally. Ability to work proactively with fully delegated authority to use principled and seasoned judgement to deal with complex issues without referral.

Ability to recognise where change is needed, to embrace and create an enthusiasm for change and to work effectively with others to develop creative, innovative, and customer-focused solutions. Ability to maintain a customer-focused approach, building working partnerships with others to foster effective joint working, based on collaboration and cooperation to deliver “joined up” services or programmes. Proven people management skills with the ability to inspire and provide direction and support promoting a “can do” attitude and an environment of creativity and innovation.

Ability to delegate responsibility and provide constructive feedback and coaching to individuals in roles where there is a high degree of discretion in decision making. Responsibilities Include Strategic planning and implementation of innovative and bespoke group wide People initiatives. All matters relating to: People Strategy; HR consultancy/business partnering; HR policy; employment law; staff engagement; organisation improvement and development; learning and development; employee performance management; and employee health, safety and wellbeing.

Management of the People & Culture budget and resources, ensuring that they are allocated effectively for the delivery of intended outcomes in a manner which demonstrates value for money and compliance with relevant policies and guidelines. Communicating regularly and effectively to Board, including reflective People and Culture reporting and proactive horizon planning to support the agreed outcomes. Management of the HR Team, including focus on their professional learning and development, to achieve individual and team objectives, in conjunction with the CIPD's profession map.

Developing innovative and robust arrangements for employee resourcing, retention, and reward; including senior recruitment, recruitment strategy and campaigns for hard to fill roles and generic recruitment. Supporting the senior managers in creating and effectively executing development plans for direct reports, based on their individual strengths, development needs, and career aspirations, to retain talent within the business. Management of all internal and external training programmes to ensure continuous talent development and improved skills across all levels and departments, with a customer focused objective. Qualifications And/or Experience Fellow CIPD qualified (or equivalent experience) and relevant developed HR expertise.

Experience Managing People in a large, multi-site or group environment. Demonstrable leadership qualities and passion to drive the People Strategy of this established hospitality group. Proven ability in influencing, interacting and consulting with senior managers regarding People processes, best practice and benchmarking. Exceptional leader with experience in leading large teams and bringing about organisational change. Recent experience of successfully leading the delivery of strategic objectives and business plans. Strong commercial and business acumen. Excellent computer skills and sound knowledge of all aspects of Microsoft 365 and other people management software. Excellent verbal communication and written communication skills.

Desirable Experience Educated to post-graduate level or equivalent experience in one or more of the relevant technical specialist areas, for example, human resources, organisational change, or programme management. What We Will Offer YouHighly competitive salary offer for the successful candidateKingsbridge Diamond Membership ClubAccess to wellness careEmployee discount throughout the group. On-going training and development courses and industry events. You Must HaveTo find out more about our benefits click hereRight to work in the UK. No visas will be offered for this position. What you will needRequired criteriaExcellent verbal communication and written communication skills.

Excellent computer skills and sound knowledge of all aspects of Microsoft 365 and other people management software. Fellow CIPD qualified (or equivalent experience) and relevant developed HR expertiseExperience Managing People in a large, multi-site or group environment. Demonstrable leadership qualities and passion to drive the People and OD aspects of this established hospitality group. Proven ability in influencing, interacting and consulting with senior managers regarding People and OD processes, best practice and benchmarking. Strong commercial and business acumen. Exceptional leader with experience in leading large teams and bringing about organisational change.

Recent experience of successfully leading the delivery of strategic objectives and business plans. Desired criteriaEducated to post-graduate level or equivalent experience in one or more of the relevant technical specialist areas, for example, human resources, organisational change, or programme management. Apply now