Assistant Director, People & Culture

Company Overview

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is undergoing a significant revitalization, transforming its renowned mountain resort through multiple phases. This unique opportunity allows you to contribute to reshaping a premier destination that harmonizes nature, luxury, and heritage to offer a reinvented guest experience.

Role Overview

As Assistant Director, People & Culture, you will play a crucial role in fostering a distinguished employee environment amid an exciting transformation phase. With the opening of a new hotel this summer and an intensified focus on elevating employee support, engagement, and motivation, this position invites passionate and dynamic people leaders who flourish during change and opportunity to contribute meaningfully.

Key Duties

• Oversee daily functions of the People & Culture department, covering areas such as employee and labor relations, performance oversight, benefits administration, health and safety initiatives, employee engagement, compliance adherence, HR information systems, administrative functions, and the development of People & Culture staff.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Director, People & Culture and hotel management, offering strategic insights into workforce planning, colleague engagement, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and managing change.
• Assist in developing and executing People & Culture strategies, programs, events, and initiatives emphasizing employee experience and engagement.
• Handle labor and employee relations matters like interpreting collective agreements, preparing and resolving grievances, conducting workplace investigations, addressing respectful workplace concerns, interpreting policies, and coaching leaders on equitable practices.
• Guide property leaders on adhering consistently to People & Culture policies, programs, procedures, decisions, and legal requirements.
• Collaborate with operations and Talent Attraction teams to manage workforce planning, seasonal recruitment, retention approaches, and staffing structures supporting a large workforce with over 300 hires annually.
• Work alongside the Learning & Development Manager to facilitate relevant learning initiatives including orientation, onboarding, leadership training, and other developmental programs.
• Model the company values of Respect, Empowerment, Excellence, Integrity, and Belonging, setting a positive example for staff and leadership.
• Champion inclusion, recognition, wellness, social connection, outdoor experiences, and cultivate a lively colleague culture.
• Engage with Staff Housing and operations teams to address housing-related concerns, communication, initiatives, and strategies enhancing retention and employee well-being.
• Support change management aligned with hotel transformation efforts, new hotel openings, evolving staff spaces, and enhancing colleague experiences.
• Manage People & Culture systems and processes by providing training, troubleshooting, reporting, and offering assistance to People & Culture and operational leaders.
• Review employee discussion inputs, performance evaluations, exit interviews, engagement surveys, and other feedback mechanisms to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Coordinate biannual Employee Engagement Surveys and collaborate with departments to develop actionable plans enhancing engagement.
• Utilize People & Culture analytics, reports, and feedback to uncover patterns, offer insights, and aid data-driven decisions.
• Support volunteer committees and employee programs, including recognition and health & safety activities.
• Organize hotel events, staff activities, and People & Culture initiatives supported by the team.
• Administer the People & Culture budget, ensuring accurate monthly forecasts and annual budgets.
• Contribute broadly to hotel projects focused on staff engagement, exceptional service, and ongoing enhancement.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years’ experience in People & Culture in a business partnering or management capacity.
• At least one year of leadership, coaching, or team development experience.
• Preferred completion of university or college degree/diploma relevant to the field.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and capable of using technology and data to derive insights, narrate business stories, and enhance results.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Excellent conflict resolution skills with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Organized, energetic, innovative, and passionate about People & Culture.
• Resilient problem solver maintaining optimism and adaptability amid challenges.
• Highly dependable, accountable, and supportive to others.
• Skilled in handling confidential matters tactfully, balancing empathy, business sense, and common sense.
• Team-oriented, able to foster trust and inspire collaboration.
• Capable of prioritizing competing demands calmly and courteously among colleagues, guests, and leaders.
• Experience with unionized staff is an asset.
• Background in supporting sizable seasonal, multi-department workforces is beneficial.
• Familiarity with HRIS systems, SmartRecruiters, or Dayforce adds value.
• CHRP accreditation or pursuit thereof is advantageous.
• Previous hospitality industry experience is a plus, though not mandatory.

Additional Information and Benefits

• Candidates must have legal authorization to work in Canada; visa sponsorship is not provided.
• Competitive annual salary ranging from 75000 to 90000 CAD gross, depending on experience and educational background.
• Staff accommodation assistance with subsidies available.
• One complimentary meal provided per shift in the staff cafeteria.
• Employee travel program offering discounts on accommodation and dining at Fairmont and Accor properties worldwide.
• Access to Mountain Explorer Travel Program featuring exclusive colleague rates and 50% discounts on food and beverages at select resorts.
• Comprehensive wellness platform supporting mental health and overall wellbeing.
• Discounts on resort amenities including dining outlets, fitness center, and golf course.
• Enrollment in the Colleague Lifestyle Program granting access to various staff activities and events.
• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement within Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and across more than 5,000 Accor properties globally.