Assistant Director People & Culture

Overview

• Act as Deputy to the Director of People & Culture and lead the function in their absence.
• Translate P&C strategy into clear actions and measurable outcomes.
• Act as a trusted advisor and coach to leaders and managers.
• Challenge constructively and address difficult people matters with confidence and professionalism.
• Take ownership of issues and ensure timely follow-up and resolution.
• Lead and develop the P&C team, promoting accountability and empowerment.
• Advise managers on employee relations, performance, conduct and workplace matters.
• Manage disciplinary, grievance and investigation cases in line with company policies and UAE legislation.
• Coach managers on performance management, feedback and difficult conversations.
• Ensure appraisals, probation reviews and development plans are completed to the required standards.
• Translate business and P&C priorities into targeted learning and development initiatives.
• Design and deliver leadership, communication, service and people-management training, while ensuring all mandatory training requirements are effectively planned, delivered and monitored.
• Build leadership capability and a strong coaching culture across the hotel.
• Empower managers and colleagues to take ownership and make effective decisions.
• Leverage digital platforms, modern learning technologies and innovative training tools to enhance learning engagement, accessibility and effectiveness.
• Support talent reviews, succession planning and internal career development.
• Continuously identify new and innovative approaches to develop people and strengthen organizational capability.
• Partner with leaders on recruitment, selection and onboarding.
• Ensure recruitment and onboarding reflect the hotel’s luxury service culture.
• Lead colleague engagement initiatives and support EES action plans.
• Monitor colleague feedback, retention and engagement trends.
• Oversee colleague accommodation standards and initiatives.
• Analyze P&C data, trends and KPIs and provide recommendations to management.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, brand standards and applicable UAE employment legislation.
• Support manpower planning, budgeting and forecasting.
• Prepare required P&C and Brand reports.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Ability to speak up, challenge constructively and manage difficult conversations professionally.
• Strong ownership, accountability and action-oriented mindset.
• Forward-thinking and innovative, with a strong digital mindset and openness to new technologies and modern learning methodologies.
• Excellent coaching, facilitation and communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on and pragmatic approach.
• Strong focus on empowerment, people development and building capability.
• High emotional intelligence, integrity and confidentiality.
• Ability to build strong relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to manage mu

Raffles Hotels & Resorts

The Birthplace of stories and legends since 1887, Raffles is a legendary brand, steeped in history and loved by generations past, present and future.  Raffles, at distinguished landmark addresses around the world, is the vibrant heart of its destination, curating experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment.

Raffles Dubai

An architectural surprise inspired by an Egyptian aesthetic, 5-star Raffles Dubai offers the luxury of city-centre space, impeccable service and sophisticated Asian style. A 15-minute drive from Dubai International Airport, it is ideally located in the business and shopping district, adjacent to Wafi Mall and close to the magnificent Khan Murjan souk and the convention centres.

About the Application Process:

At Raffles, we want to bring out your highest potential. Shortly after applying, you will receive an email from our partner AssessFirst prompting you to create a profile and complete a questionnaire. This is a mandatory step for your candidacy to be considered as it enables us to explore your compatibility with this role and our culture of luxury excellence.

We invite you to join the world of luxury hospitality at Raffles Dubai as our new  Assistant Director People & Culture to act as deputy to the Director of People & Culture, supporting the leadership and delivery of the hotel’s People & Culture strategy while ensuring effective HR operations, colleague engagement, talent development and employee relations.

The role is highly visible and hands-on, with a strong focus on leadership, empowerment, capability building and translating strategy into action.

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

People & Culture Leadership

Employee Relations & Performance

Learning, Leadership & Talent Development

Recruitment & Colleague Experience

Reporting, Compliance & Business Support

What will you bring to this role?

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES