Human Resources Director (M/F) | Orient Express La Dolce Vita

Orient Express
Artisan of Travel since 1883 Orient Express is a legendary brand, steeped in history and loved by past, present and future generations. Representing the pinnacle of ultra-luxury hospitality within Accor Group, this brand is currently going through exciting phases of rebirth and expansion.
Orient Express embodies the refined nomadic spirit of travel, inviting each traveler to a place where the journey is the destination. Bringing awe-inspiring travel experiences to a new generation of adventurers, its exceptional portfolio includes The Orient Express, with its original carriages reimagined as the new embassy of French luxury; Orient Express La Dolce Vita, a train embodying the 'Made in Italy' way; Orient Express Silenseas - the world’s largest sailing ship; and hotels coming to Rome and Venice.
Progressively shaping the future of luxury hospitality, Orient Express is focusing on employee journey and growth.

Arsenale Group 
Arsenale is a multi-brand Group capable of providing a comprehensive service to the largest and most renowned luxury global market operators who wish to expand in Italy. Founded and supported by internationally renowned entrepreneurs and investors, Arsenale aims at creating the leading luxury hospitality group in Italy. To pursue that ambition, the Group launched an impressive investments plan to boost tourism and made-in-Italy through the acquisition, re-development and enhancement of iconic hotels and hospitality solutions in the most beautiful locations of the country.
Arsenale Express SpA is the Division of the Group dedicated to luxury train cruises. On June 15th, 2021, the project “Il Treno della Dolce Vita” has been officially launched, in collaboration with Trenitalia SpA – Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato. The Train has been conceived to show up the beauty of Italian peninsula and its territory through a luxury offer based on a new hospitality concept of the highest level.
As a result of the Term Sheet signed on December 6th, 2021, between Arsenale SpA and ACCOR S.A involving Trenitalia SpA and Fondazione FS Italiane, a strategic partnership has been settled between the Groups further enhancing the luxury trains project as “Orient Express – Il Treno della Dolce Vita”.
Two Trains will be operating mid-2024 and the entire fleet of 6 trains will be operating by the end of 2026. The trains will cover more than 16.000 km of railway, 15 Regions will be crossed, and 128 cities will be reached. Each trip will be of 1-3 nights with the highest comfort and quality standard.

Reporting Line 
The Human Resources Director reports directly to the General Manager.
 
Location 
Rome.
 
Mission 
The Human Resources Director is a key leadership position responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources management within the trains. This role plays a crucial part in attracting, developing, and retaining top talent, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment, and ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations. The Human Resources Director will collaborate closely with the General Manager to align HR strategies with the train’s overall business objectives.

Roles and responsibilities 

• Strategic HR Planning: Develop and implement human resources strategies and initiatives aligned with the hotel's mission, vision, and values. Provide guidance on HR-related matters and contribute to strategic decision-making.
• Talent Acquisition: Oversee the recruitment and selection process for all positions within the hotel, ensuring the attraction of high-quality candidates who align with the hotel's standards of excellence. Implement effective sourcing strategies, conduct interviews, and make recommendations for hiring decisions.
• Employee Relations: Foster positive employee relations by promoting a culture of respect, open communication, and fairness. Address employee grievances and concerns promptly and impartially, ensuring appropriate actions are taken to resolve issues.
• Training and Development: Design and implement comprehensive training and development programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of employees at all levels. Identify training needs, coordinate training initiatives, and evaluate their effectiveness. Encourage a continuous learning culture.
• Performance Management: Establish and maintain a performance management system that promotes accountability, recognizes, and rewards exceptional performance, and supports employee growth. Provide guidance to managers on performance evaluations, feedback, and goal-setting processes.
• Compensation and Benefits: Oversee the administration of compensation and benefits programs, ensuring they are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Regularly review market trends to recommend adjustments to salary structures, incentives, and employee benefits packages.
• HR Policies and Compliance: Develop and enforce HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legal requirements and industry best practices. Keep abreast of labor laws and regulations and communicate changes and updates to management and employees.
• Employee Engagement and Wellness: Promote employee engagement initiatives, including employee recognition programs, team-building activities, and wellness initiatives. Create a positive work environment that enhances employee satisfaction, motivation, and retention.
• HR Metrics and Reporting: Track, analyze, and report HR metrics and key performance indicators to monitor the effectiveness of HR programs and initiatives. Provide regular reports and recommendations to senior management

Roles and responsibilities 

• Knowledge and experience
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Fluent in Italian and English (French is a plus)
• Years of progressive experience in human resources management, preferably in the luxury hospitality/trains industry.
• In-depth knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and HR best practices.
• Proven experience in talent acquisition, employee relations, training and development, and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement HR strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Proficient in HR software and systems.
• Professional certifications in HR are a plus.

Competencies

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• High level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Great flexibility and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing hospitality environment.
• Strong emotional intelligence and empathy to understand and address the needs, concerns, and challenges of employees.
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills to handle complex HR issues and find innovative solutions
• Understanding the importance of delivering exceptional customer service, both internally to employees and externally to hotel guests