People Development Manager

Company Overview

Ennismore, a rapidly expanding lifestyle and leisure hospitality firm, is launching the prestigious Delano brand in the UAE for the first time. Since its debut in Miami in 1995, Delano set a new standard for 5-star luxury lifestyle hospitality, blending timeless elegance with contemporary design and vibrant atmosphere. Renowned as a social hotspot for fashion and entertainment elites, Delano Dubai aims to continue this legacy, introducing sophisticated style and exceptional service along the scenic Bluewaters Island.

The resort will feature luxury accommodations, four top-tier dining and mixology venues, a beachfront swimming pool, and a wellness studio.

Role Summary

The People Development Manager will design and deliver impactful learning and development strategies that shape employee growth and brand engagement at Delano Dubai. Collaborating with People & Culture and hotel leadership, you will ensure learning initiatives align seamlessly with business goals, enhancing onboarding, leadership skills, service culture, and career pathways.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the hotel's learning and development strategy, aligning people priorities with operational demands.
• Design and facilitate compelling training programs that cover service excellence, behavioral skills, and leadership growth.
• Partner with leaders to identify training requirements and create tailored, effective learning solutions.
• Manage mandatory training compliance and keep thorough records of developmental activities.
• Develop an engaging onboarding experience that immerses newcomers in Delano’s culture, history, and operational style.
• Promote brand connection and team cohesion through immersive learning experiences.
• Equip departmental trainers and champions to sustain ongoing learning within their teams.
• Collaborate with leadership to spot high-potential talent and provide meaningful growth and succession opportunities.
• Support leadership development, coaching, performance assessments, and career planning.
• Coach managers to enhance their leadership skills, improve feedback delivery, and nurture team potential.
• Maintain close involvement with hotel operations to understand team dynamics, guest expectations, and training impact areas.
• Work alongside operational departments to enhance guest experience through strengthened service and skills.
• Connect with Ennismore's People Development teams to implement broader training programs locally.

Success Indicators

• Deliver a consistent and engaging onboarding program completed by all new hires within weeks.
• Successfully execute the annual training calendar with high participation and completion levels.
• Ensure mandatory trainings are completed timely and compliance is maintained.
• Engage managers and future leaders in targeted development programs and coaching sessions.
• Maintain updated talent and succession plans that foster internal mobility.
• Activate department trainers to uphold team-based learning excellence.
• Measure training effectiveness via participant feedback, operational reviews, and guest satisfaction metrics.
• Forge strong partnerships with operational leaders to align learning priorities with real-time needs.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience in People Development, Learning & Development, or Talent Development, preferably in luxury or lifestyle hospitality sectors.
• Dynamic and inclusive facilitation skills able to connect with diverse audiences at all organizational levels.
• Track record of designing and implementing onboarding and continuous development programs.
• Solid understanding of hotel operations and the fast-moving hospitality industry.
• Innovative thinking, curiosity to experiment, and readiness to adopt novel approaches.
• Strong organizational aptitude with skill in transforming concepts into actionable plans.
• Collaborative, people-centered attitude coupled with passion for fostering employee growth.
• Ability to make learning engaging, personalized, and worthwhile for participants.

Additional Information

• Opportunity to influence how employees experience and grow with the Delano brand.
• Culture that encourages creativity, individuality, teamwork, and learning advancement.
• Collaborate directly with leadership and teams to impact workplace culture positively.
• Part of the Ennismore network providing access to global career and development opportunities.