Cluster Director of People & Culture – Luxury Resort Pre‑Opening

About the role

The Cluster Director of People & Culture will lead the human‑resources strategy for the pre‑opening phase of Raffles & Fairmont the Red Sea, a flagship luxury resort in Umluj, Saudi Arabia. Reporting to the Resort Manager and Managing Director, you will shape the workforce, embed brand values and ensure operational readiness for the grand opening.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute the pre‑opening manning plan, overseeing recruitment, onboarding and training of all team members.
• Ensure compliance with Saudi labour law, Saudisation targets and all related government regulations.
• Establish People & Culture policies, systems and employee services, including housing, welfare and payroll administration.
• Design and implement learning and development programmes that embed brand culture and service excellence.
• Partner with senior leadership to achieve full operational readiness and drive a positive, inclusive workplace culture.
• Oversee the full talent lifecycle: recruitment, performance management, succession planning and employee engagement initiatives.
• Manage the People & Culture budget, analyse HR metrics and make data‑driven decisions to improve efficiency.
• Collaborate with corporate and regional HR teams to roll out brand‑wide initiatives and best practices.

Required profile

• 8‑10 years progressive HR leadership experience, with at least 3‑5 years as a Director or equivalent in luxury hospitality.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business or related field; Master’s degree or professional HR certification (PHR, SPHR, CIPD) preferred.
• Fluency in English; additional languages are an asset.
• Strong business and financial acumen with proven ability to lead large, multicultural teams.