Overview
We are looking for a People & Culture Manager to lead the People & Culture function and shape a best-in-class employee experience for our onboard crew and operational teams. Reporting to the General Manager, the HR Manager will drive strategic HR initiatives to foster a high-performance, inclusive and compliant workplace. The role is central in managing end-to-end HR operations, including crew workforce planning, shift scheduling, and labour relations — all with an unwavering commitment to our luxury standards and guest service excellence.
Strategic Leadership & HR Operations
* Define and deliver the HR strategy in alignment with the General Manager and the corporate guidelines of Orient Express and Arsenale.
* Lead the full spectrum of HR functions: talent acquisition, onboarding, performance management, learning & development, compensation & benefits, payroll, and personnel administration.
* Translate business priorities into effective people strategies and operational HR solutions.
* Ensure a culture of continuous improvement and alignment with the brand’s identity and luxury positioning.
* Update, review and ensure compliance with LQA/Forbes.
Crew Planning & Workforce Scheduling
* Lead the planning and roster design for onboard crew, ensuring alignment with service requirements, legal constraints, and the brand’s operational and quality standards.
* Oversee and coordinate the Crew Control team, a dedicated function within the HR Department responsible for daily crew allocation and shift management.
* Monitor key crew-related KPIs, including resource utilization, absenteeism, shift coverage, and compliance with rest periods and working time regulations.
* Work closely with the Operations team to ensure service continuity, responsiveness to unexpected changes, and agility during peak periods.
* Contribute to the development of scalable workforce planning processes and tools to support future network expansion and evolving regulatory frameworks.
Industrial & Union Relations
* Maintain structured, constructive relationships with trade unions and employee representatives (RSA/RSU, RLS), representing the company in all collective and individual labour matters.
* Lead negotiations and ensure implementation of collective labour agreements and company-level agreements, in line with legal obligations and company values.
* Manage individual and collective disputes, disciplinary processes, and grievance cases with discretion and compliance.
* Keep up to date with Italian labour legislation, proactively advising management and mitigating legal risks.
People Engagement & Workplace Culture
* Promote a culture of well-being, engagement, and excellence across all departments.
* Oversee the onboarding journey to ensure every new team member feels welcomed, trained, and aligned with brand values.
* Support managers in developing positive team dynamics, implementing action plans to improve collaboration and service culture.
* Deploy initiatives that bring to life the Orient Express values and elevate the onboard and back-office employee experience.
Compensation, Benefits & Well-being
* Supervise compensation, benefits, and recognition programs, ensuring fairness, transparency, and market alignment.
* Manage payroll processes in coordination with external providers and internal stakeholders.
* Champion employee well-being, designing programs that support physical, mental, and emotional health.
Budget Management
* Co-lead with Finance the planning and monitoring of Employment Costs, ensuring alignment with operational budgets and staffing forecasts.
* Manage the People & Culture department budget, balancing service excellence with cost-effectiveness.
Qualifications
* Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
* Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior HR role within luxury hospitality.
* Proven track record in crew planning or complex shift management, ideally in railway, aviation, cruise, or luxury travel sectors.
* Deep knowledge and hands-on experience in industrial and union relations, including collective bargaining and employment law.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; fluent in Italian and English (written and spoken).
* Entrepreneurial spirit with strong organizational and project management abilities.
* Hands-on and strategic, able to operate effectively across both day-to-day execution and long-term planning.
* Proficiency with HR systems and tools (HRIS, ATS, scheduling software, payroll platforms, etc.).
Additional Information
* A competitive package (base salary and yearly bonus)
* Medical Insurance, integrating Collective Labor Agreement one and extended to the family
* Ticket Restaurant
* Annual leave
* ALL - Heartist Program: Employee benefit card offering discounted rates at all Accor locations and partner venues worldwide.
* Learning & development: Opportunity to develop your talent and grow within your property and across the world
* Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.
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