People and Culture Generalist

Company Description

Why work for Accor? We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor's limitless possibilities.

About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts: At Fairmont Hotels & Resorts we offer our guests the finest hospitality experience in each of our destinations. We know that to offer our guests the best, we first need to offer our employees the best. That is why you'll find exceptional work opportunities-throughout North America and the Caribbean, Europe and Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific-as well as industry-leading training, career development, recognition and rewards, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a celebrated collection of hotels that included landmark locations like London's The Savoy, New York's The Plaza and Shanghai's Fairmont Peace Hotel. Our teams are guided by values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Empowerment: we employ the highest ethical and quality standards, treating all colleagues with fairness and dignity. A community and environmental leader, Fairmont is also regarded for responsible tourism practices and award-winning Green Partnership program. An exciting future awaits!

Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo!

Cape Grace, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, sits on a private quay at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront — one of the most coveted addresses in African luxury hospitality. With 113 keys, Two MICHELIN Keys and the Condé Nast Traveller Triple Crown, Cape Grace is recognised globally as a benchmark of intimate five-star luxury. It is a property with a distinct personality, a loyal international following and an ambition to be counted among the best in the world.

Position Overview

Reporting to the People & Culture Manager, the People & Culture Generalist is a key partner in shaping the colleague experience at the hotel, ensuring every team member is equipped, supported and inspired to deliver world-class, five-star guest service. This role blends hands-on HR generalist expertise with a genuine passion for hospitality culture — balancing recruitment, employee relations, administration and reporting with the warmth, discretion and attention to detail expected in a luxury environment.

The People & Culture Generalist champions an engaged, high-performance workforce by embedding best-practice HR processes, protecting compliance with South African labour legislation, and nurturing a workplace culture where colleagues feel valued, developed and empowered to grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
• Manage the end-to-end recruitment and selection process, from role briefing through to offer, ensuring a candidate experience that reflects the hotel's five-star service standards.
• Advertise vacancies internally and externally through our internal recruitment platform.
• Coordinate the full selection process, including CV screening, structured/competency-based interviews and panel coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct thorough reference checks with a minimum of two to three previous employers for every shortlisted candidate.
• Prepare Employee Action Forms (EAFs), employment contracts and related documentation, ensuring accuracy and timeous sign-off by all required parties.
• Ensure all recruitment activity complies with the hotel's policies and South African labour legislation, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), Labour Relations Act (LRA) and Employment Equity Act (EEA).
• Prepare appointment notices to be shared with the business.
• Coordinate new-hire orientation schedules in partnership with the Learning & Development Manager, and facilitate pre-boarding IT and systems access so new colleagues are fully set up on day one.
• Check in with new colleagues during their first two weeks through informal visits to their department, supporting a smooth induction into the team.
• Undertake other related duties as required.
• Payroll & Benefits Support
• Support the Payroll function by collating accurate monthly payroll input and supporting documentation.
• Act as a first point of contact for colleagues wanting to enquire around benefit enrolment.
• HR Administration
• Oversee regular audits of employee files (physical and digital) to ensure accuracy, completeness and POPIA-compliant record-keeping.
• Manage the day-to-day administration of the People & Culture office, ensuring an efficient, well-organised and confidential service.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date recruitment, selection and employee relations records.
• Set up email accounts and system access for new colleagues and manage IT/systems access administration more broadly.
• Prepare offer letters, recognition letters and appointment notices for internal promotions and transfers.
• Compile information required for BEE (B-BBEE) audits and other compliance reporting.
• Respond to People & Culture-related queries from colleagues and department heads in a professional and timely manner.
• Support disciplinary processes and performance management cases in line with company policy and labour legislation.
• Coordinate, attend and support relevant committee meetings (e.g. Employment Equity, Employee Wellness) as required.
• Undertake other related duties as required.
• HR Reporting & Analytics
• Maintain and update relevant trackers, including disciplinary/warnings and probationary review records.
• Update EE data monthly and analyse data inputs.
• Assist in data collation when required for month-end reporting.
• Employee events
• Organise and manage employee events, including recognition ceremonies, wellness initiatives, social functions, training events, and corporate celebrations, ensuring seamless execution within approved budgets and organisational standards.

Qualifications

Qualifications, Experience and skill

• A relevant HR, Industrial Psychology or hospitality management qualification (National Diploma or Degree preferred).
• A minimum of 2–3 years' generalist HR experience, ideally within a five-star hotel or luxury hospitality environment.
• Sound working knowledge of South African labour legislation, including the BCEA, LRA, EEA and POPIA.
• Proficiency in HR/payroll systems and Applicant Tracking Systems, along with strong MS Office skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and relationship-building skills, with the discretion and professionalism expected in a luxury service environment.
• Strong organisational skills with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage confidential information with integrity.
• A genuine passion for people, culture and delivering an exceptional colleague experience.
• Applicants must possess valid authorisation to work in South Africa without the need for employer sponsorship.

Additional Information

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY

We as a company are committed to diversity and inclusion. Our Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered during the recruitment process. We welcome applications from individuals with disabilities and diverse backgrounds.