Complex Director of Human Resources

We're Sonesta International Hotels.

The 8th largest hotel company in the U.S.-and growing fast.

An epic blend of full-service and focused hotels in major cities, Sonesta's uniquely diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties makes us everywhere you want to be. Driven by the human side of hospitality, we deliver service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and experiences that truly connect.

Together We Thrive-bringing quality, value, and amazing hospitality to every guest, every stay, across 1000+ properties in eight countries and counting.

Job Description Summary

The Director of Human Resources provides strategic leadership and serves as a trusted business partner to the Hotel Executive Committee and hotel leadership team. Leads and supports all aspects of human resources, including talent acquisition, employee relations, labor relations, performance management, engagement, compliance, compensation, benefits, learning and development, and organizational effectiveness. Partners with senior leadership to align people strategies with business objectives while fostering Sonesta''s culture and values, driving employee engagement, and ensuring a positive, inclusive workplace that delivers exceptional business results. Serves as the primary human resources partner for unionized hotels, providing guidance on collective bargaining agreement administration, contract interpretation, grievance management, labor-management relations while promoting productive partnerships and maintaining compliance with applicable labor laws.

Job Description

This role requires a collaborative, results-oriented leader who builds strong relationships with hotel leadership and employees to drive engagement, accountability, and business performance. Success depends on the ability to influence, motivate, and inspire others while effectively managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment. The ideal candidate is an adaptable team builder and organizational leader who fosters collaboration, embraces change, and aligns people with business goals.

Principle duties and responsibilities (Essential Functions) include:

• Support the hotel's efforts to deliver exceptional guest service, foster employee engagement, and achieve financial objectives by ensuring leaders clearly understand performance expectations, accountability, and business results.
• Lead the hotel's employee engagement strategy and initiatives, continually assessing and enhancing leadership practices to build and sustain a highly engaged workforce.
• Manage and resolve complex employee relations matters by conducting timely, thorough, objective investigations and recommending appropriate corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with all Company policies and procedures, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Lead and oversee corporate compliance initiatives, ensuring timely completion of required programs, audits, reporting, and training.
• Train, coach, and support managers on performance management processes, leadership expectations, and related people programs to drive accountability and consistent application of Company policies.
• Coach and develop leaders to create and maintain a positive, respectful, and productive work environment that promotes engagement, retention, and high performance.
• Facilitate and support training throughout the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, performance management, leadership development, and service culture initiatives.
• Support labor relations activities, including contract administration, grievance resolution, investigations, labor-management meetings, and collective bargaining processes, as applicable.
• Partner with hotel leadership and Corporate Human Resources to foster positive labor-management relationships while supporting operational goals and maintaining legal and contractual compliance.

What you will bring:

• You will have a minimum 3-5 years of progressive HR leadership experience in the hotel industry in a union market. Minimum 3 years in a leadership role with understanding this will be a hands-on position.
• Deep understanding of HR practices, policies, employment/labor law and compliance.
• Required highly proficient in HRIS systems (preferable Workday) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong knowledge and hands on experience in employee/labor relations, talent acquisition, performance management and talent development.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
• Highly approachable demeanor and effective communication leadership style.
• Required college degree in a related field.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Require to be on-site full-time

Additional Job Information/Anticipated

Pay Range

Annual Compensation Range: $140,000 - $150,000

Base pay offered may vary depending on various factors including but not limited to job related knowledge, skills, and job specific/overall experience.

Benefits

Sonesta recognizes that benefits play a vital role in helping ensure the health and financial security of employees and their families. We offer a variety of benefits to our employees including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts
• Educational Assistance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Various Employee Perks and Discounts
• Hospital Indemnity
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance

Sonesta is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Upon submitting your application, please ensure you complete a full application in addition to attaching a resume. Incomplete applications received will not be considered.