Director of People & Culture

Company Description

Mondrian Gold Coast is set to debut on the sun-drenched esplanade of the iconic Burleigh Beach in Q2-2025. This destination lifestyle precinct is a vision of some of Australia and the world’s most celebrated changemakers, risk takers and creative thinkers. Mondrian Gold Coast is an immersive precinct that reflects the culture of one of Australia’s most iconic coastal destinations.

As we prepare to open our doors to an immersive destination like no other, we’re searching for a passionate and dynamic Director of People & Culture to lead the heart of our hotel – our people.

Job Description

Reporting to the General Manager with a dotted line to the Vice President of People & Culture, you will be the strategic business partner to our Executive Committee and the voice of all team members. You'll champion the hiring and retention of exceptional talent, while leading core People & Culture functions including Employee Engagement, Learning & Development, Talent & Performance Management, Compliance, and Organisational Design. You will also play a key role in shaping a workplace culture that’s energised, inclusive, and uniquely Mondrian.

This is a front-line, generalist People & Culture leadership role where you'll operate in an international, fast-paced environment. You’ll be responsible for executing key initiatives that foster an innovative, connected, and high-performing team. Your ability to build strong relationships, offer strategic insight, and deliver operational excellence will be critical to your success.

Main Responsibilities

• Cultivate a positive, transparent, and structured work environment.
• Support leaders through performance discussions, disciplinary actions, and grievance processes, in line with policy and legislation.
• Ensure full compliance with relevant industrial instruments, including the Hospitality Industry General Award (HIGA) and the Hair and Beauty Award, providing guidance to leaders as needed.
• Navigate and advise on QLD WorkCover procedures, including claims, return-to-work programs, and injury management.
• Maintain visa and immigration knowledge to support the hiring and management of international team members, working closely with relevant agencies to ensure legal compliance.
• Promote a culture of engagement by aligning team goals with business outcomes.
• Lead engagement initiatives, including town halls and celebration events.
• Analyse labour turnover trends and recommend proactive solutions.
• Attract and select talent aligned with the Mondrian spirit.
• Ensure a seamless onboarding experience that reflects our ethos and values.
• Ensure all mandatory and role-specific training is completed and tracked.
• Facilitate the full performance lifecycle, from onboarding to reviews and development plans.
• Build a performance-driven culture with clarity, fairness, and accountability.
• Support budget forecasting and manage departmental expenses with precision.
• Use data and insight to influence workforce planning and payroll strategy.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior People & Culture role within hospitality or lifestyle luxury environments.
• CIPD/AHRI qualification is highly desirable.
• Expert knowledge of Australian employment legislation: HIGA, Hair and Beauty Award, WorkCover QLD, and visa/immigration processes.
• Must be a highly capable user of Microsoft office programmes including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Previous working experience in a truly global work environment is essential.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills
• A proactive, solution-focused approach and strong attention to detail

Additional Information

Mondrian Gold Coast is an equal opportunity employer. We endeavor to select, place, train, and promote the best qualified individuals based upon job-related factors such as ability, work quality, suitability, experience, and potential.