Complex Director of Human Resources

We’re People People. Are you?

We’re Sonesta International Hotels—the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. (and growing fast 🚀).

With a dynamic mix of full-service and focused hotels across major cities, our diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties means we’re everywhere our guests need us to be.

But here’s the thing—we’re not just in the business of hotels, we’re in the business of people. We bring service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and create experiences that genuinely connect—delivering quality, value, and memorable stays across 1,000+ properties in eight countries (and counting).

What this role is all about

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.

What you’ll be doing

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

Anticipated Pay Range & Additional Job Information

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.

How we reward you

At Sonesta, we know showing up for our guests starts with showing up for our people. That means supporting your health, your financial future, and everything in between.

Here’s a snapshot of what we offer:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match

• Paid Vacation & Sick Time

• Paid Parental Leave

• Company-Paid Life Insurance

• Company-Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

• Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness & Accident Insurance

• Educational Assistance

• Sonesta Hotel Discounts (yes, you’ll want to use these ✈️)

• Additional Perks & Employee Discounts
  
  

Our Commitment to You

Sonesta is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Before You Apply

To be considered, please complete the full application in addition to submitting your resume. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.