Assistant Director, People & Culture

Assistant Director, People & Culture - Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa (Hotel) Are you a people‑focused leader with a passion for building meaningful connections, elevating teams, and shaping workplace cultures? Join the People & Culture team at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, where warm hospitality, rich local heritage, and a deep commitment to colleague well‑being create an exceptional place to work and grow. As Assistant Director, People & Culture, you will help guide a culture defined by authenticity and excellence, creating an environment where every colleague feels valued, inspired, and confident in their ability to make special happen.

What you will be doing: Reporting to the Director, People & Culture, responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following:

• Partner with the Director, People & Culture to shape organizational strategies across employee relations, compensation and benefits, recognition, health & safety, and colleague wellness, ensuring alignment with hotel vision and operational goals
• Lead and influence People & Culture initiatives that enhance engagement, elevate colleague experience, and strengthen hotel‑wide performance
• Guide leaders in the interpretation and consistent application of HR policies and Collective Bargaining Agreements, reinforcing fair, transparent, and legally compliant practices
• Support leaders across the hotel with coaching, guidance, and solutions that cultivate a collaborative, high‑performance work environment
• Champion the hotel’s recruitment strategy, ensuring every department receives proactive support throughout the full talent lifecycle
• Oversee benefits administration and workplace safety programs, driving colleague understanding, regulatory compliance, and a safe, accident‑free environment
• Assist in overseeing the daily operations of the People & Culture office while supporting the performance and development of the Human Resources team
• Manage and track Leaves of Absence with precision to ensure full alignment with legislation and company policies
• Coordinate and facilitate training programs that reinforce legal compliance, luxury service excellence, and colleague engagement
• Plan and execute People & Culture initiatives, celebrations, and recognition programs that strengthen connection and elevate the colleague experience
• Promote an environment grounded in open communication, trust, respect with genuine moments of fun that bring our culture to life
• Support overall hotel leadership responsibilities as needed
• Uphold all department policies, procedures, and service standards
• Follow all health and safety protocols
• Other duties as assigned

 

Your experience and skills include: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Previous human resources leadership experience in a hotel or luxury hospitality environment required
• Excellent communication skills in both Spanish and English, with the ability to translate verbally and in writing
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills, with a natural ability to connect, support, and influence at all levels
• Proven ability to stay composed, flexible, and solutions‑focused in a dynamic, luxury hospitality environment
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to prioritize effectively
• Experience with Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) preferred
• Solid understanding of Federal, State, and local employment laws and regulations
• Creative, thoughtful problem‑solving skills with a commitment to high service standards
• Ability to lead by example, elevate team culture, and inspire high performance
• University/College degree in a related field preferred

Salary Range $100,000- $113,0000

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, an elegant Spanish mission-style Inn, boasts exceptional accommodation in the heart of Wine Country.  As one big team, community of service professionals, we come together and work with a common purpose to welcome, connect and serve others. 

Visa Requirements: Applicants must be able to provide proof that they are legally able to work in the United States. 
Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.