The Director, Human Resources, Operations and Openings - South East Asia is responsible for building a world-class workforce by ensuring leaders drive high team engagement through effective recruitment, succession planning, talent management, learning and development, performance management, compensation and benefits, and employee relations. You will provide regional HR leadership and services, partnering closely with the regional opening, operations, and local market leadership teams.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Human Resources, you will oversee HR operations for select SEA countries, including leading the HR team and advising General Managers on strategic HR matters. Additionally, you will be responsible for hotel openings and conversion executions across the region.
What will I be doing?
As the Director, Human Resources, Operations and Openings - South East Asia, you will be responsible for performing the following tasks to the highest standards:
HR Openings /Conversion
Lead all human resources activities for new hotel openings, ensuring smooth operations and a strong, engaged workforce from pre-opening through stabilization.
Pre-Opening HR Strategy and Planning
- Develop and implement the HR pre-opening roadmap, including recruitment, onboarding, and training for all hotel staff.
- Partner with the regional leadership team to establish the organizational structure, manning, pre-opening budget, compensation, and benefits structure in line with market standards.
- Lead workforce planning to ensure the right talent is in place before the hotel's opening.
- Act as the primary contact for new owners on opening expenditure, forecasting, and matters about opening budget.
- Collaborate closely with all internal departments to contribute to the successful new openings/transitions, including AD&C, IT, Sales & Revenue, Quality Assurance, and Brand.
- Participate and contribute to operation reviews/feasibility analysis on potential new sites.
- Collaborate with the relevant teams to conduct an initial market study and provide market assessment reports, and work with Regional HR teams to leverage market-specific benefits and compensation data.
Recruitment and Onboarding
- Work with the APAC Workforce Planning Manager to identify internal talents for 4D, including sourcing, screening, and selecting candidates.
- Oversee the onboarding process to ensure new hires are well-integrated into the hotel's culture and operations.
- Ensure compliance with labor laws and company policies throughout the recruitment process.
- Work with the APAC Recruitment team to co-create and activate necessary recruitment marketing campaigns to help drive recruitment for critical hotels/markets.
Employee Relations and Compliance
- Work with hotel DHR to establish a robust employee relations framework to foster a positive working environment.
- Implement policies and procedures that comply with local labor laws and company standards.
- Address any pre-opening HR issues, including conflict resolution and legal compliance.
Learning and Development
- Collaborate with the respective CoEs and brand training team on the development of critical talent development and training programs that drive the onboarding of new GMs and 4Ds.
- Support the hotel DHR in leading training programs to prepare the hotel team for the opening, including customer service, operations, and safety protocols.
- Ensure ongoing learning and development opportunities support team growth and retention post-opening.
HR Operations and Systems
- Guide the hotel DHR in setting up HR systems, including payroll, benefits administration, and employee records.
- Manage pre-opening HR budgets and resources, ensuring cost-effective solutions.
Post-Opening HR Support
- Provide ongoing HR leadership post-opening to stabilize operations and support the General Manager and leadership team.
Ensure the implementation of performance management processes and ongoing HR support for hotel staff.
HR Operations Support
- Partner with operations to lead HR programs and services across South East Asia.
- Provide leadership and consultation to local market leaders, fostering innovative and high-impact HR processes.
- Drive local market talent strategy, resourcing plans, and HR objectives, ensuring team and management buy-in.
- Ensure Hilton’s brand message and value proposition are communicated to all team members.
- Manage HR-related legal and reputational risks in select SEA countries (disciplinary actions, employment law compliance, etc.).
- Responsible for activation of onboarding and culture playbook in the hotels to establish a strong Hilton culture of inclusive, wellness, growth, and purpose
- Administer corporate salary and incentive programs in designated countries.
- Lead and coach the HR teams in selected countries, ensuring they have functional and commercial success skills.
- Ensure hotel operations adhere to HR policies and practices, including team member relations, performance management, training, compensation, and team member well-being.
What are we looking for?
A Director, Human Resources, Operations and Openings - South East Asia serving Hilton Brands is always working on behalf of our Guests and working with other Team Members. To successfully fill this role, you should maintain the attitude, behaviors, skills, and values that follow:
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent practical experience
- At least 10 years of relevant experience and at least 5 years in a multi-unit leadership role
- Experience working for a leading hospitality firm and with diverse cultural groups.
- Proven experience as an HR leader, preferably in hotel openings or similar projects.
- A natural change agent and champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion
- High level of coaching and mentoring skills
- Strong interpersonal communication skills to positively influence Hilton’s partners and communicate effectively at all levels.
- Demonstrated personal and professional integrity.
What will it be like to work for Hilton?
Hilton, the #1 World’s Best Workplace, is a leading global hospitality company with a diverse portfolio of world-class brands. Dedicated to filling the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, we have welcomed more than 3 billion guests in our more-than 100-year history. Hilton is proud to have an award-winning workplace culture and we are consistently named among one of the World’s Best Workplaces. Check out the Hilton Careers blog and Instagram to learn more about what it’s like to be on Team Hilton!
