People & Culture Executive (Saudi Only)

Job Description People & Culture Executive Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Department: People & Culture Employment Type: Full-Time Reporting To: People & Culture Manager Position Level: Assistant Manager Job Summary Basiqat by Mantis is seeking a highly motivated, experienced, and people-oriented People & Culture Executive to join our pre-opening team. The successful candidate will act as a key operational partner to the People & Culture Manager, supporting the overall management and administration of the People & Culture function while ensuring compliance with Saudi Arabian labor regulations, Accor policies, and Mantis brand standards. Operating at an Assistant Manager level, the People & Culture Executive will take an active role in overseeing day-to-day HR operations, coordinating recruitment and onboarding activities, supporting payroll and employee relations, and implementing People & Culture initiatives across the resort. As part of the pre-opening team, the role will be instrumental in establishing HR processes, implementing policies and procedures, supporting workforce mobilization, and building a positive and engaging workplace culture from the outset. Key Responsibilities People & Culture Operations & Departmental Management • Support the People & Culture Manager in overseeing the daily operations of the People & Culture department. • Act as the department's second-in-command and coordinate HR activities in the absence of the People & Culture Manager, within delegated authority. • Ensure the effective implementation of People & Culture policies, procedures, and operational standards. • Provide guidance and support to department heads and Heartists on HR-related matters. • Supervise and coordinate assigned HR administrative activities, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and timely completion. • Maintain effective communication between the People & Culture department and other operational departments. • Assist in preparing departmental reports, workforce statistics, and management presentations. Pre-Opening People & Culture Responsibilities • Support the development and implementation of the resort's pre-opening People & Culture action plan and critical path. • Coordinate recruitment, selection, and onboarding activities in accordance with the approved manpower plan. • Assist in establishing HR systems, employee records, personnel files, and administrative procedures. • Support the implementation of Accor and Mantis People & Culture policies, standards, and operational requirements. • Coordinate employee mobilization, joining formalities, and pre-opening documentation. • Monitor the progress of assigned People & Culture pre-opening tasks and provide regular updates to the People & Culture Manager. • Collaborate with department heads to ensure staffing readiness and smooth integration of newly recruited Heartists. • Assist in preparing employee facilities, orientation arrangements, and internal communication processes prior to opening. Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning • Coordinate the end-to-end recruitment process, including vacancy postings, candidate screening, interview scheduling, reference checks, and offer preparation. • Support recruitment activities through SmartRecruiters and other approved recruitment platforms. • Monitor recruitment progress against the approved manpower plan and hiring timelines. • Coordinate with department heads to identify staffing requirements and recruitment priorities. • Ensure recruitment documentation, employment offers, and joining formalities comply with applicable policies and regulations. • Maintain accurate recruitment trackers and provide regular hiring status reports. • Support workforce planning, succession planning, and internal career development initiatives. Employee Relations & Heartist Engagement • Promote a positive, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture aligned with Accor's Heartist philosophy. • Serve as a point of contact for Heartist inquiries, concerns, and HR-related requests. • Support employee relations matters, including grievance handling, disciplinary procedures, and workplace investigations, under the guidance of the People & Culture Manager. • Coordinate employee engagement, recognition, well-being, and internal communication initiatives. • Support the implementation of employee satisfaction surveys and related improvement plans. • Assist in organizing Heartist events, celebrations, and recognition programs. • Promote effective communication and professional relationships between management and Heartists. Payroll, Compensation & Benefits Administration • Coordinate monthly payroll preparation in collaboration with Finance and relevant departments. • Review attendance records, leave balances, overtime, allowances, and payroll-related adjustments. • Verify employee information and payroll inputs to ensure accuracy and timely processing. • Support the administration of employee benefits, medical insurance, and applicable allowances. • Coordinate employee contract amendments, salary adjustments, and other employment changes. • Assist in preparing employee final settlements, end-of-service benefit calculations, and separation documentation. • Ensure payroll and benefits administration complies with applicable Saudi Labor Law requirements and internal policies. Qualifications Education & Experience • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field. • Minimum 2 3 years of progressive experience in Human Resources or People & Culture, preferably within the hospitality industry. • Previous experience in an HR supervisory, senior executive, or Assistant Manager-level position is highly desirable. • Experience within luxury hotels, resorts, or internationally recognized hospitality brands is preferred. • Previous hotel or resort pre-opening experience is a strong advantage. • Solid knowledge of Saudi Labor Law, employment regulations, Saudization requirements, and HR compliance. • Practical experience in recruitment, employee relations, payroll coordination, performance management, and HR administration. • Familiarity with Saudi government platforms, including Qiwa, GOSI, and Mudad. • Experience with HRIS, payroll systems, and recruitment platforms; familiarity with Accor systems and SmartRecruiters is an advantage. • Professional HR certifications such as CIPD, SHRM, or equivalent are desirable. Skills & Competencies • Strong leadership and people management capabilities, with the ability to coordinate departmental activities and support junior team members. • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and employee relations skills. • Excellent command of English; Arabic proficiency is highly desirable. • Strong knowledge of HR best practices, policies, and employment compliance. • Excellent organizational, planning, and multitasking abilities. • Ability to manage confidential and sensitive employee matters with professionalism and discretion. • Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills. • High attention to detail and accuracy in HR documentation and reporting. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. • Ability to work effectively with department heads, management, and employees at all levels. • Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and initiative. • Passion for employee engagement, talent development, and luxury hospitality. • Flexibility, resilience, and adaptability to the demands of a pre-opening environment.