Reporting to the General Manager / Executive Committee.

The President Hotel is entering an exciting phase of growth and transformation, and we are creating a senior, newly established role of Director of Human Resources. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary HR leader to define the strategic direction of the hotel’s people function and shape a high-performance culture across the organization.

Our purpose is simple yet powerful: to create and inspire memorable experiences.
Our vision: to become Cape Town’s most loved hotel.
Our values – Teamwork, Respect, Innovation, Accountability, Passion, and Integrity – guide everything we do. We seek leaders who not only embody these values but also drive them throughout the hotel.

About the Role

The Director of Human Resources will be the senior HR leader in the hotel, responsible for creating and executing organization-wide HR strategy. Reporting directly to the General Manager, you will oversee an HR team, including an HR Manager, and ensure all people initiatives are aligned with the hotel’s strategic goals.

This role combines high-level strategic leadership with deep operational insight into hotel HR. You will partner with the executive team to drive initiatives that enhance employee engagement, talent development, and organizational performance, positioning The President Hotel as a top employer in luxury hospitality.

Qualifications & Criteria

• 10+ years senior HR leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a large hotel or luxury hospitality environment (essential).

  Hotel HR experience is critical as this role requires understanding the unique demands of a 24/7 luxury operation, multiple departments (Front Office, Housekeeping, F&B, Banqueting), shift-based teams, and high seasonal fluctuations. Success depends on aligning people strategy with guest experience, operational performance, and service excellence.

• Proven success in developing and executing HR strategy that drives organizational growth and operational effectiveness.

• Strong knowledge of labour law, HR compliance, and hospitality-specific practices.

• Demonstrated experience in building high-performing HR teams and coaching HR leaders (e.g., HR Managers).

• Expertise in organizational design, succession planning, leadership development, and change management.

• Strong strategic thinking, executive presence, and stakeholder management skills.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

• Must hold a valid South African ID.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead the hotel’s overarching HR strategy, aligning people initiatives with business objectives.

• Oversee the HR function, including HR Manager and HR team, ensuring operational delivery and strategic alignment.

• Drive initiatives around talent acquisition, leadership development, succession planning, and workforce planning.

• Champion a high-performance culture, embedding the hotel’s PVV (Purpose, Vision & Values) at all levels.

• Lead employee engagement, retention, and recognition programs.

• Ensure compliance with labour legislation, industry standards, and best practices.

• Provide strategic guidance to executive leadership on workforce planning, performance, and employee relations.

• Use HR analytics and reporting to inform decision-making and measure the impact of HR initiatives.

Key Competencies

• Executive HR Leadership – Influence and shape strategy at the senior management level.

• Organizational Development – Build capability and succession pipelines across departments.

• Talent Strategy – Attract, retain, and develop top hospitality talent.

• Culture & Engagement – Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and inclusion.

• Use HR Analytics & Insights – Leverage data to drive strategic decisions.

Package on Offer

• Competitive gross package with benefits, commensurate with experience.

• Medical aid contribution.

• Pension/provident fund contribution.

• Performance-based incentives.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior strategic HR leadership role in one of Cape Town’s most iconic hotels. If you are a proven hotel HR executive, ready to lead the organization’s people strategy and mentor the HR team, we want to hear from you.

Contact information

Emhke