Director of People and Capabilities

About the Role

Jayasom Wellness Resort at Triple Bay, AMAALA is scheduled to open in 2025 in partnership with Red Sea Global (RSG). The resort is being developed as an adult, family and private-residence destination focused on deep restoration, conscious living and meaningful human connection.

The concept combines purpose-led hospitality with holistic health, integrative medicine and compassionate care. Guest experiences will be built around Western science alongside complementary approaches such as physiotherapy, fitness, nutrition, spa therapies, mindful recreation and traditional healing practices, all aimed at restoring balance, increasing vitality and strengthening the connection with self, others and nature.

The resort is building a team of wellness practitioners, clinicians, creatives and other professionals who are committed to elevating human potential and shaping the future of wellbeing.

Job Purpose

This leadership position is responsible for turning Jayasom’s strategy into practical People & Capabilities programs, activities and initiatives while ensuring the right organisational structure, policies and operating procedures are in place.

The role leads the People & Capabilities function, develops a structure aligned with the resort’s strategy, mission and purpose, and serves as a visible ambassador for the company’s wellness and sustainability culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the resort’s internal communication efforts so they encourage cooperation, participation, idea-sharing and respect for different viewpoints and beliefs.
• Make sure all team members understand their roles, responsibilities and the organisation’s expectations.
• Maintain strong communication across all levels of the business and support department heads in leading their teams effectively.
• Build productive relationships with owners, colleagues, the corporate office and vendors.
• Champion an inclusive, caring and collaborative workplace built on openness, listening, compassion, trust, respect, professionalism and enjoyment.
• Participate in and deliver meetings, committees, training sessions, community activities and people-related programmes at the property.
• Work consistently toward business targets and approach projects in a constructive, resourceful way.
• Perform other reasonable duties as assigned.
• Lead the People & Capabilities department across talent acquisition, talent management, learning and development, employee engagement, compensation and benefits, people development, succession planning and financial planning.
• Own the People & Capabilities critical path during resort opening and coordinate communication with all stakeholders to support a smooth and timely launch.
• Design and implement People & Capabilities policies and procedures in line with corporate requirements and local labour legislation.
• Stay current on labour law and regulatory updates and act promptly when changes arise.
• Ensure the resort remains compliant with all local people-related legal obligations and consult legal advisers when appropriate or directed by the General Manager.
• Plan and manage the department’s annual budget in alignment with business strategy.
• Communicate policy and procedure changes clearly and ensure compliance is followed.
• Guide department heads on recruitment, onboarding, performance reviews, mediation, coaching, counselling and learning and development matters.
• Regularly review existing People & Capabilities programmes and practices to improve effectiveness.
• Conduct market comparisons on benefits and recommend adjustments to the General Manager when needed.
• Prepare annual plans for people, recruitment, training and benefits.
• Ensure monthly and annual People & Capabilities reports are prepared accurately and sent to the corporate office.
• Lead the roll-out of the HR information system and ensure it continues to meet the resort’s people-data needs.
• Own the performance management programme and ensure all team members understand the process.
• Coach people leaders on how to conduct power discussions, annual reviews and performance-improvement conversations.
• Help people leaders create a supportive environment where team members can ask questions, give feedback, share ideas and discuss mistakes without fear.
• Support leaders in building teamwork and a collaborative culture.
• Develop recruitment strategies that improve selection quality and hiring effectiveness.
• Review open roles to balance internal development with resort requirements.
• Ensure applications are reviewed carefully, interviews are handled professionally and reference/background checks are completed consistently.
• Monitor sourcing activity and staffing outcomes.
• Make sure department heads are capable of interviewing, assessing and selecting candidates effectively.
• Maintain strong relationships with selected candidates and guide them through work authorisation requirements and documentation timelines.
• Keep up to date with the work authorisation process and respond quickly to changes.
• Ensure new hires receive a warm welcome and that proper company and country integration programmes are in place.
• Work with department heads to identify pre-opening training needs and prepare the resort’s pre-opening training plan.
• Identify current and future learning needs through job analysis, career paths, performance reviews and guest feedback.
• Ensure monthly and yearly training and development plans reflect resort needs.
• Make learning content engaging, interactive, relevant to the industry and appropriate to the culture.
• Review training records to ensure compliance with government requirements.
• Track all training activity and keep management informed of progress and any concerns.
• Ensure individual development plans are created where needed.
• Build industry networks to support recruitment and development goals and take part in career events locally and internationally.
• Create partnerships with local and international schools and academies and participate in career events and lectures to provide internships and management training opportunities for students.
• Coordinate with the Amaala team so shared services such as housing, employee dining and wardrobe/laundry are communicated correctly and used according to rules and regulations.
• Ensure outsourced people-service providers follow the resort’s guidelines and service standards.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or Psychology is preferred.
• Previous experience in a pre-opening environment is required.
• Proven background in human resources and people management within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is required.
• Sound knowledge of talent management, local labour laws, HR policy localisation and strategic human resources.
• Strong capability in mediation, coaching and mentoring, employee relations, performance management and consultation.
• Well-developed teamwork, collaboration, organisation, time management and analytical skills.
• Comfort with HR systems and data-driven HR planning.
• Ability to influence, motivate others and build effective teams.
• High standards of ethics, integrity, cultural awareness and relationship-building.
• A positive, approachable, flexible, dependable and empathetic working style.

Additional Information

This role is part of a wellness-driven, sustainability-focused resort environment. The position description is dynamic and may change based on organisational needs. Team members may be asked to take on duties beyond their usual scope when required.

Culture and Leadership Expectations

The successful candidate will be expected to lead by example, promote the resort’s wellness and sustainability values, and help create a workplace where people feel supported, respected and encouraged to contribute.