Director of People and Culture

Shopping Center Management d b a Turnberry Associates•Nashville, TN

20d

About The Position

Reporting to the Hotel General Manager and partnering closely with the executive leadership team, the Director of People + Culture is responsible for aligning all Human Resources programs and processes at JW Marriott Nashville with Turnberry’s values of quality, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Leading a team of HR professionals (currently four), this role is accountable for delivering best‑practice, efficient, and effective People & Culture services, including talent acquisition, associate relations, training and performance development, internal communications, and associate engagement initiatives. The Director of People + Culture is a hands‑on, strategic leader with a passion for solving complex organizational and people challenges, cultivating culture, building strong teams, selecting exceptional talent, coaching leaders, and implementing forward-thinking best practices in a luxury hospitality environment.

Requirements

Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive Human Resources / People & Culture leadership experience, preferably within luxury or upscale hospitality.
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or HR certification (PHR/SPHR, SHRM‑CP/SCP) preferred.
Prior experience as a Director of People & Culture / Human Resources in a full‑service hotel environment strongly preferred.
Strong working knowledge of hospitality labor laws, compliance requirements, and employee relations best practices.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
HRIS experience required; ADP preferred.

Nice To Haves

High integrity and strong ethical foundation
Results‑driven with a process‑oriented, data‑informed mindset
Resilient leader capable of navigating complexity and leading change
Collaborative, team‑oriented, and influential
High emotional intelligence and self‑awareness
Hands‑on leadership style with strategic perspective
Innovative thinker who challenges the status quo and encourages curiosity
Inspiring communicator who builds enthusiasm, trust, and commitment
Models open, direct, and respectful dialogue

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the hotel’s People & Culture strategy, including performance management, associate engagement, talent acquisition and retention, compensation and benefits, learning and development, and culture‑building initiatives.
Align people practices with business objectives to support operational excellence and guest experience.
Serve as a culture champion, fostering trust, accountability, and engagement across the organization.
Lead, coach, and develop a team of HR professionals, ensuring they have the tools and support needed to thrive and effectively serve the organization.
Partner with leaders to assess, create, and execute individual talent development plans, providing coaching and development resources to strengthen leadership capability.
Facilitate and ensure integrity of the performance management process, guiding leaders through evaluations, talent decisions, and employee development conversations.
Ensure full compliance with all local, state, and federal employment laws, as well as company and brand standards.
Develop and maintain policies and programs that support effective people management, including associate relations, internal guest complaints, harassment prevention, affirmative action, and career development.
Coach managers through complex employee relations matters and lead sensitive situations to fair, timely, and compliant resolution.
Advise executive leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, and compensation structure to ensure people objectives are met.
Understand organizational goals and recommend new approaches, policies, and practices to enhance performance and engagement.
Contribute as an active member of the JW Marriott Nashville Leadership Team, bringing a strong voice and advocacy for diversity, equity, inclusion, and organizational culture.