Director of People & Culture

De Vere Wokefield Estate

De Vere Wokefield Estate set in 250 acres of rural Berkshire parkland is home to a historic Mansion House filled with traditional features and the contemporary Wokefield Place that offers state of the art facilities. It has 376 bedrooms and suites, 39 meeting rooms with large event space and a high tech dedicated conference building, an 18-hole PGA approved championship golf course and leisure club. Benedict's Bar, The 1560 Restaurant, The View Restaurant and our Summerhouse are some of our amazing food and beverage options at Wokefield Estate: there really is something for everyone.

Your commute: just outside Reading, we're 10 minutes from J11 of the M4, with fast and direct trains from London Paddington to Reading Train station. We also offer our colleagues a taxi shuttle service to and from Reading train station. 

At De Vere, we warmly welcome everyone and foster a sense of belonging, where each person is valued and appreciated. Join our team and become part of a passionate group of individuals who genuinely care about the experiences we create for our guests and colleagues.

Director of People & Culture

Are you an experienced and dynamic HR Manager with a passion for the hospitality & events industry?

We have an exciting opportunity for a People & Culture Director to join the team at De Vere Wokefield Estate, a large prestigious events-focused hotel near Reading, with a team of circa 300 employees. This role involves working on site at De Vere Wokefield Estate on a full time basis, with paid travel, as required, to other De Vere properties.

As the People & Culture Director for De Vere Wokefield Estate you will report to our Group Head of People & Culture and oversee the Hotels People & Culture Manager & Co-ordinator on site with a focus on strategic activities to manage payroll costs, drive recruitment, focus on compliance, learning and development and employee engagement, to help foster a positive workplace culture that aligns with the Hotel’s goals and objectives.

With support from our central Talent Acquisition team you will take a lead in attracting, selecting, and developing top talent, building high-performing teams that contribute to unforgettable events.

You will collaborate with our central People & Culture team, department heads, managers, and employees to provide guidance, support, and solutions to HR-related challenges, driving initiatives that enhance HR processes, policies, and systems to ensure efficiency and compliance.

The successful candidate will have;
• Previous HR management experience within a large or multi-site hotel, hospitality, events, care or retail environment
• The ability to influence senior colleagues and managers through a confident and knowledgeable approach of HR best practise
• A forward thinking & bright personality, with an intuitive, highly organised and strategic approach
Are you ready to take on the challenge of shaping and leading the HR function in this unique and vibrant setting? If so, we want to hear from you!

Benefits:

The Pay & Benefits:

At De Vere we pay attention to the thoughtful details that inspire the loyalty of our permanent colleagues. That’s why we are proud to offer the following benefits for the role of Director of People & Culture at De Vere Wokefield Estate;

• £55k - £60k per annum, plus Bonus Incentive Scheme with the opportunity to earn up to 20% of salary based on business performance
• BUPA Private Medical Insurance plus discounted family memberships
• Enhanced Company Pension Scheme
• Free meals in our colleague dining facilities
• Use of the hotel's gym facilities
• 33 days holiday each year from day one of your employment
• We believe in celebrating your special moments too, which is why we offer an extra paid day off for your birthday, along with a £20 love to shop voucher.
• As a token of our gratitude for your loyalty, we'll treat you to an annual complimentary 2-night stay with dinner in a De Vere property of your choice, plus additional monetary rewards for reaching long service milestones.
• Discover exclusive perks with our £50 colleague rates for overnight stays at De Vere properties, accompanied by a fantastic 50% discount on Food & Beverage.
• Explore our Exclusively Yours Benefits portal, unlocking hundreds of discounts on retail, travel, and leisure activities.
• Take advantage of our Employee Assistance Programme, Hospitality Action, providing 24/7 health and wellbeing support, including free counselling.
• Gain peace of mind with our Company Life Assurance scheme, ensuring financial security for your loved ones.
• We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our monthly colleague recognition programme, You Are DeVere, culminating in an exciting annual colleague recognition event.