People & Culture Assistant Manager

Basiqat by Mantis is seeking an experienced, proactive, and people-focused People & Culture Assistant Manager to join our pre-opening leadership team. This position is designed for an accomplished hospitality Human Resources professional with strong operational knowledge, leadership capabilities, and the ability to independently manage key People & Culture functions. Reporting directly to the People & Culture Manager, the successful candidate will serve as the department's second-in-command, overseeing daily HR operations, supporting strategic People & Culture initiatives, and ensuring full compliance with Saudi Labor Law, Accor policies, and Mantis brand standards. As part of the resort's pre-opening team, the People & Culture Assistant Manager will play a critical role in establishing HR operations, implementing systems and procedures, coordinating workforce mobilization, and developing a strong Heartist culture. Key Responsibilities People & Culture Leadership & Operations Act as the second-in-command of the People & Culture department, supporting the People & Culture Manager in managing all departmental functions. Independently oversee daily HR operations, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. Provide professional HR guidance and operational support to department heads and management. Supervise assigned People & Culture team members, ensuring accountability and effective task execution. Represent the People & Culture department in operational meetings when delegated. Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of HR policies, procedures, and internal controls. Identify operational challenges and recommend effective solutions to enhance HR service delivery. Ensure a professional, confidential, and service-oriented approach across all People & Culture activities. Pre-Opening People & Culture Management Support the execution of the resort's People & Culture pre-opening critical path and manpower mobilization plan. Coordinate the establishment of HR operational systems, processes, documentation, and reporting structures. Oversee pre-opening recruitment coordination, employee onboarding, and joining formalities. Work closely with department heads to ensure staffing requirements are fulfilled in accordance with approved manpower plans. Support the implementation of Accor and Mantis People & Culture standards and brand requirements. Coordinate the preparation of employee facilities, orientation programs, and HR operational readiness. Monitor pre-opening milestones, identify potential delays, and recommend corrective actions. Support the development of departmental SOPs, HR forms, employee handbooks, and internal policies. Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning Oversee recruitment activities, including vacancy advertisements, candidate screening, interviews, reference checks, and employment offers. Coordinate recruitment activities through SmartRecruiters and other approved platforms. Monitor recruitment progress, hiring timelines, and manpower requirements. Partner with department heads to identify recruitment priorities and workforce needs. Review employment offers, contracts, and joining documentation for accuracy and compliance. Maintain recruitment reports and provide regular hiring updates to the People & Culture Manager. Support workforce planning, internal mobility, and talent development initiatives. Employee Relations & Labor Law Compliance Provide guidance on employee relations matters, workplace policies, and Saudi Labor Law requirements. Support grievance handling, disciplinary procedures, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution. Ensure employee relations processes are conducted fairly, consistently, and in accordance with applicable regulations. Advise department heads on appropriate HR procedures and employee management practices. Monitor employment contract compliance, probation periods, resignations, and termination procedures. Coordinate with Government Relations on employment-related regulatory requirements. Support Saudization monitoring and compliance with applicable workforce localization requirements. Maintain accurate documentation of employee relations matters and compliance activities. Payroll, Compensation & Benefits Oversee the preparation and verification of monthly payroll inputs in coordination with Finance. Review attendance records, overtime, leave balances, allowances, deductions, and payroll adjustments. Ensure accuracy of employee data within HR and payroll systems. Coordinate employee benefits administration, medical insurance, and employment-related entitlements. Review end-of-service benefit calculations, final settlements, and separation documentation. Ensure payroll administration and employee entitlements comply with applicable Saudi Labor Law requirements. Identify payroll discrepancies and coordinate timely corrective actions.

Desired Candidate Profile

Education & Professional Experience Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field. Minimum 3 4 years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferably within the hotel or hospitality industry. Previous experience within luxury hotels, resorts, or internationally recognized hospitality brands is highly desirable. Proven ability to independently manage daily HR operations and provide professional guidance to department heads. Strong practical knowledge of Saudi Labor Law, employment regulations, and Saudization requirements. Demonstrated experience in employee relations, recruitment, payroll coordination, performance management, and HR administration. Previous hotel or resort pre-opening experience is a strong advantage. Hands-on familiarity with Saudi government platforms, including Qiwa, GOSI, and Mudad. Experience using HRIS, payroll systems, and recruitment platforms. Familiarity with Accor People & Culture systems and SmartRecruiters is an advantage. Professional HR certifications such as CIPD, SHRM, or equivalent are desirable. Leadership & Professional Competencies Demonstrated leadership capabilities with the confidence to manage HR operations independently. Strong understanding of hospitality HR operations and employee relations. Excellent knowledge of Saudi Labor Law and employment compliance. Excellent command of English and Arabic, both written and spoken. Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to advise department heads and handle sensitive HR matters professionally. Strong analytical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities. High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professional judgment. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel. Ability to supervise, coach, and support junior HR team members. Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and initiative. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced pre-opening environment. Passion for people development, employee engagement, and luxury hospitality.