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People & Culture Manager

Mama Shelter - Cape Town

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Company Description

MAMA?

Founded in 2008 by Serge Trigano and his sons JΓ©rΓ©mie and Benjamin (co-founders of Club Med), Mama Shelter is a creator of living spaces and a daily director!

These are atypical places, where everyone feels at home, places born of a blend of influences, freedoms, sensations and emotions. Each Mama tells the story of the city in which it is located, and all influences blend together. We offer our guests a joyful atmosphere and exceptional service at an affordable price. 

More than just rooms and restaurants, Mama Shelter is a dynamic, a vibe: they are true urban refuges, not only aesthetically pleasing and modern but also popular, welcoming and sexy.

Whatever your role, we're all here to make the customer experience as unforgettable as possible. 

Our mission: to bring little moments of happiness to people.

Our growth has enabled us to offer our teams great career paths through internal development and international mobility, and it's not a question of diplomas or years of experience.

Mama Shelter is part of Ennismore, a creative hotel group rooted in cultures and destinations, with a global portfolio of brands. Ennismore is a joint venture with Accor, founded in 2021.

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Our commitment to diversity and inclusion: 

Mama is an inclusive company, and our ambition is to recruit and promote diverse talent. 

Job Description

🌟 THE MISSION

You are Mama’s favourite parent πŸ’• β€” the heartbeat of the house and the guardian of our people experience.

As our People & Culture Manager, you create an environment where teams feel welcomed, supported, inspired, and empowered to be themselves. From recruitment ✨ to engagement πŸŽ‰, development πŸ“š to wellbeing πŸ’–. With you around, every team member feels in good hands. πŸ‘

You are present, approachable, and operational β€” never far from the action. You build culture daily, support leaders, and ensure Mama remains a workplace where personality, creativity, and performance thrive together.

Here’s what you’ll be responsible for:

  • Culture Creator πŸŒˆπŸ’«
    Bring Mama’s culture to life 🎭 by creating a welcoming, inclusive, and positive workplace where everyone feels they belong 🀝✨

  • Talent Magnet 🎯🌟
    Lead recruitment and hiring processes πŸ“, spotting personalities 😎 and talents πŸ’‘ that fit Mama’s spirit as much as the role itself

  • Team Experience Champion πŸ’–πŸŽ‰
    Design and deliver initiatives that enhance engagement πŸ€—, wellbeing πŸ§˜β€β™‚οΈ, and team satisfaction 😊 throughout the employee journey

  • Trusted Confidant πŸ•΅οΈβ€β™€οΈπŸ’¬
    Act as a safe and confidential partner 🀝 for team members and leaders, providing guidance πŸ§‘β€πŸ«, coaching πŸ‹οΈ, and support πŸ™Œ

  • People Operations Leader πŸ“‹βš‘
    Oversee HR administration πŸ–‡οΈ, policies πŸ“œ, contracts ✍️, onboarding πŸŽ“, and compliance βœ…, ensuring smooth and efficient people processes

  • Learning & Development Driver πŸ“šπŸš€
    Support growth through training 🏫, coaching πŸ‹οΈβ€β™€οΈ, and development initiatives πŸ’‘ that help teams reach their full potential

  • Performance Partner πŸ“ˆβ­
    Guide managers through performance management πŸ†, feedback conversations πŸ—£οΈ, and talent development strategies 🧩

  • Employee Relations Expert βš–οΈπŸ›‘οΈ
    Manage employee relations matters πŸ—‚οΈ with fairness βš–οΈ, empathy πŸ’–, and professionalism πŸ§‘β€πŸ’Ό while protecting Mama’s culture and standards ✨

  • Compliance Guardian πŸ›‘οΈπŸ”’
    Ensure adherence to labor laws πŸ“œ, company policies 🏒, and HR best practices 🌍 across all people-related activities

  • Operational Partner πŸŽΆπŸ”—
    Work closely with department leaders πŸ§‘β€πŸ’Ό and the Executive Committee 🀝 to align people strategy with business needs πŸ’Ό

Qualifications

MADE FOR YOU… ONLY IF ✨

  • You hold CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent) πŸ“šπŸ’‘
  • You bring strong HR generalist experience, ideally within hospitality 🏨✨
  • You have international exposure, including experience with diverse teams 🌍✈️
  • Pre-opening experience is a strong advantage πŸ—οΈπŸŽ‰
  • You are creative πŸŽ¨πŸ’‘ and think outside the box when it comes to people and culture 🀯
  • You are approachable πŸ€—, empathetic πŸ’–, and naturally supportive πŸ‘
  • You balance compassion πŸ’• with professional judgment βš–οΈ
  • You thrive in operational environments ⚑ and enjoy being visible with teams πŸ‘€πŸ™Œ
  • You handle confidential matters with integrity πŸ•ŠοΈπŸ”’
  • You are organized πŸ—‚οΈ, adaptable πŸ”„, and comfortable in a fast-paced environment βš‘πŸƒ
  • You inspire trust 🀝, positivity 🌈, and collaboration πŸ€— across all levels πŸ’¬
  • With you, the sun is always shiningβ€”it’s all highs and blue skies! β˜€οΈ
  • You’re available and approachableβ€”your office door is always open. πŸ™Œ
  • Confidentiality mattersβ€”you’re the team’s trusted confidant. 🀫
  • You spot talent easilyβ€”red chair, buzzer… it’s your turn! 🎯
  • You’re flexibleβ€”your working hours match the business needs. ⏰
  • You’re operationalβ€”you love being at the heart of the action with the team, not stuck at a desk.
  • You have natural authority but deep down a heart of gold. πŸ’–

YOUR LITTLE EXTRAS 🎯

  • You remember everyone’s birthday and always find the perfect gift🎁 and celebrate team moments πŸŽπŸ’–
  • You bring energy⚑, humour πŸ˜‚, and positivity 🌈 to the workplace 🎢
  • You’re flexible β°πŸ”„ and adapt your schedule to business needs 🏨
  • You believe culture is built daily πŸ§©πŸ’« through small meaningful actions πŸ’–βœ¨
  • You combine professionalism πŸ§‘β€πŸ’Ό with Mama’s quirky, human spirit πŸŽ­πŸŽ‰
  • You’re determinedβ€”you finish the marathon on time, with your best smile. πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

Additional Information

Next, we're sure you know the tune 🎢:

  • First melody: β€œAt Mama, no AI! We review your application in person and take the time to understand your background. 🎧
  • First verse: We organise an initial telephone interview with our People & Culture Team to see if your application fits in with our rhythm. 🀳
  • Chorus: Once you've passed the phone interview, we'll arrange a remote meeting πŸ’» or a meeting at Mama 🀝 to meet the Gang! 
  • Last verse: Naturally, you'll receive a response from us within two to three weeks at the latest, whether it's a βœ”οΈ or a βœ–οΈ.
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