Assistant Director, People & Culture Full-time

Recognized as the #1 Best Canadian Hotel in Travel + Leisure's 2024 World's Best Awards, Fairmont Empress is located in Victoria, BC, overlooking the city's sparkling Inner Harbour. A Forbes recommended and MICHELIN key hotel that offers 431 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, Fairmont Spa with signature West Coast experiences, and Q at the Empress featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine, an award-winning wine list, and regionally focused cocktail culture. World-famous Tea at the Empress is served in the Lobby Lounge with stunning harbour views.

The magnificent property completed a $60+ million restoration in 2017 that celebrated its proud history while moving the hotel into a new era of modern luxury and transforming the iconic property into a must-visit destination. In 2023, the property introduced a revamped Fairmont Gold Experience, including a major renovation to the Fairmont Gold floor. 88 Fairmont Gold rooms and a newly renovated lounge are ready to accommodate guests. Located on Vancouver Island, Canada's Castle on the Coast is the ideal starting point to explore British Columbia's stunning natural and expansive beauty. Historic Hotels Worldwide recognizes the property's prestigious grounds as the Top 25 Most Magnificent Gardens in the World.

The Assistant Director, People & Culture role is responsible for partnering with the Director of People & Culture to assess organizational needs, design and implement strategic HR solutions, and lead the effective operation of the department. This position plays a central role in fostering a workplace culture rooted in trust, communication, and professional development, while ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and applicable legislation. 

What is in it for you: 

• Wonderful company culture – our colleagues are at the heart of all we do 
• Excellent training with the opportunity to build a successful career 
• Career development opportunities with national and international promotion opportunities  
• Learning programs through our Academies designed to sharpen your skills 
• Ability to make a difference through our Corporate Social Responsibility activities 
• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates at Accor properties worldwide and additional benefits for Fairmont and Raffles colleagues   
• Exclusive Employee and Friends & Family Discounts at Fairmont Empress  
• Exclusive access to the Pacific Northwest Food & Beverage Discount Program with 50% off at our dining destinations in Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler 
• Complimentary meal during your shift through our Colleague Dining Program  
• Complimentary uniform laundering 
• Access to our comprehensive benefits and wellness programs, including extended healthcare benefits and RMT, dental, vision. 
• Complimentary counseling, wellness sessions, financial and family planning through our Employee Assistance Program 
• Access to our company-matched Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP) 
• Opportunity to develop your talent through coaching and our Leadership Mentoring Programs 
• Opportunity to participate in our Leadership Incentive Program 
• Competitive salary starting at $81,200

What you will be doing:

Strategic Partnership & Leadership

• Partner with the Director of People & Culture to assess organizational needs and align HR strategies in the areas of employee relations, recruitment and retention, performance management, colleague wellness, benefits, recognition, and leadership development.
• Lead and provide guidance to the People & Culture team, offering mentorship, professional development, and administrative support where required.
• Serve as a role model within the hotel, demonstrating leadership behaviors that are fully aligned with and supportive of organizational values and culture.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Counsel and coach colleagues and leaders on career development, performance management, disciplinary matters, and workplace concerns.
• Foster and promote positive colleague relations by creating an environment of open communication, trust, mutual respect, and recognition.
• Develop and implement engagement and recognition initiatives, including communication strategies, colleague recognition programs, employee of the month, bulletin boards, and activation events.
• Organize, attend, and participate in employee functions and activations designed to strengthen workplace culture and engagement.
• Conduct exit interviews with departing colleagues and analyze feedback to provide insights and recommendations for leadership.

Policy, Compliance & Advisory Support

• Advise on the interpretation and consistent application of HR policies, procedures, and applicable employment legislation, labor laws, and the Collective Agreement.
• Provide up-to-date guidance to leadership on developments in employment standards, workplace safety, and best practices.

HR Administration & Systems

• Oversee the day-to-day operations and administration of the People & Culture office.
• Manage the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), ensuring data integrity, accurate recordkeeping, and effective report writing. 
• Respond to HR-related inquiries with timely, accurate, and supportive communication. 
• Prepare and distribute monthly HR statistics and departmental reports, including workforce analytics and health and safety metrics, to inform data-driven decision-making.

Qualifications

• University/College degree or diploma - a formal education in Human Resources Management will be advantageous.
• A CPHR qualification or working towards the CPHR qualification will be advantageous
• Minimum of three years hospitality experience in a Human Resources leadership position
• Strong understanding of Labour Relations – collective bargaining, dispute resolution and legal frameworks
• Proven ability to develop trusting relationships and encourage an open environment, which reflects the Mission, Vision and Values of our hotel and Company
• Successful track record in professionally addressing & resolving difficult and challenging issues at all employee levels
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, complimented by professional maturity, strong leadership skills and business acumen
• Self-confident, creative and proactive, able to prioritize and make effective decisions
• Strong computer and technical skills in a variety of technology platforms

Physical Aspects of Position (include but are not limited to): 

• Consistent office duties involving desk work and computer tasks
• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 30 lbs
• Must be able to stand, walk, and perform repetitive motions throughout the shift

Visa Requirements: Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. The hotel is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.

Your team and working environment: Welcome to Canada’s Castle on the Coast. The Empress Hotel sits proudly at the centre of culture and history in Victoria, British Columbia. This is the best of all worlds – where contrast meets distinction, opulence blends harmoniously with the understated and fabled history meshes with contemporary affairs. This award-winning Victoria hotel and National Historic Site is an alluring blend of classic and contemporary, vintage and cutting-edge: Where Modern meets Iconic. Come join our wonderful team of hospitality experts!

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.

Why work for Accor?
We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor’s limitless possibilities.
By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Discover the life that awaits you at Accor, visit https://careers.accor.com/

Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo! #BELIMITLESS