People and Culture Manager

Location: On-site in Knutsford, Cheshire, North-West England (not remote)

Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere is one of the North West’s most distinguished luxury destinations. Nestled in the heart of the Cheshire countryside and surrounded by a championship golf course, the resort combines Fairmont’s world-renowned elegance with the warmth and character of its local heritage. Renowned for exceptional service and attention to detail, Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere offers guests an indulgent escape featuring world-class spa experiences, exceptional dining, and outstanding leisure facilities. Whether visiting for relaxation, celebration, or business, Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere is dedicated to creating unforgettable moments and delivering the very best in 5-star luxury hospitality.

Your purpose will be:

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic People & Culture Manager to join our pre opening team at Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere. As a key member of our People & Culture department, you will play a crucial role in shaping our organizational culture, driving employee engagement, and implementing strategic HR initiatives.

• Develop and implement People & Culture strategies aligned with the company's overall business objectives.
• Lead and manage the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, development, and retention.
• Foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture that promotes employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Oversee performance management processes and provide guidance to managers on employee development.
• Develop and implement training programs to enhance employee skills and promote career growth.
• Manage employee relations, addressing concerns and resolving conflicts in a fair and timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, regulations, and company policies.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify and address organizational needs and challenges.
• Analyze People & Culture metrics and provide data-driven insights to inform decision-making.
• Lead diversity and inclusion initiatives to create a more equitable workplace.
• Working alongside the Director of People to Manage the HR budget and resources effectively.
• Stay updated on HR trends and best practices, recommending and implementing improvements as needed.
• Develop and implement recruitment procedures and strategies to attract the most qualified candidates for position vacancies in the hotel.

• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in a People & Culture or HR Manager role within a luxury hotel or premium hospitality environment
• CIPD qualified (Level 5 minimum; Level 7 desirable) or working towards professional accreditation
• Proven track record in talent development, employee engagement, and performance management, driving measurable improvements in service culture and colleague experience
• Strong capability in people data analysis, workforce trends, and HR metrics, with the ability to translate insights into effective people strategies
• Excellent communication, coaching, and influencing skills in written and spoken English; additional languages are an advantage
• Confident working with senior leaders and executive stakeholders, providing trusted HR partnership and guidance
• Ability to engage, inspire, and support teams within a luxury service-led environment, balancing empathy with commercial awareness
• Demonstrates impeccable professional conduct, discretion, and presentation, consistently upholding brand values, policies, and standards

Please note that we believe in flexibility and multi-skilling, and you may be asked to do different tasks from time to time to enable us to meet the needs of our guests and colleagues.

What is in it for you?

• Exclusive Discounts:
  • Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, Spa and Golf discount
  • Fairmont, Raffles, and Accor Hotels (friends and family rates are included)
  • 20% off food and beverage in on-site restaurants
• Colleague restaurant
• Being part of The Mere Team – our culture is unique!
• You will benefit from training and development opportunities
• Competitive salary and benefits including pension
• 28 days of holiday including public holidays
• 1-5 days service award based on length of service
• Special rates for Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere colleagues and their friends & family and discount across Accor hotels worldwide
• And last but not least you will get to work with a team of EXTRAORDINARY people