HR Operations Director UK&I

Location: United Kingdom

The Opportunity

As HR Director, UK & Ireland Hotels, you will be the senior strategic people leader for one of IHG's most significant markets.

In this role, you’ll lead the HR strategy for IHG’s UK & Ireland division, partnering closely with the UK & Ireland Managing Director and leadership team. You’ll work across both the managed and leased estate, while also partnering with owners and third-party management companies across our franchised hotels to protect the IHG brand and support a consistent, compliant colleague experience.

This is a highly visible role that combines strategic leadership, commercial influence and operational excellence. You'll play a leading role in shaping workforce strategy, organisational effectiveness, leadership capability, talent development and employee engagement whilst helping the business navigate a rapidly evolving employment and technology landscape.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Driving Business Performance Through People

• Partner with the UK & Ireland Managing Director and leadership team to shape and deliver the people strategy for the division.
• Influence organisational effectiveness, workforce planning and leadership capability across a complex portfolio of hotels.
• Coach and challenge senior stakeholders to drive performance, engagement and talent outcomes.

Leading a High-Performing HR Function

• Lead and develop a team of 35 HR, Learning & Development and Talent professionals.
• Drive succession planning, talent development and performance management across the division.
• Create an environment where colleagues can perform at their best and grow their careers.

Partnering Across a Diverse Hotel Estate

• Build trusted relationships with hotel owners, franchisees and third-party management companies.
• Support the delivery of a consistent and compliant colleague experience across more than 380 franchised hotels.
• Represent IHG externally with industry bodies, trade associations and relevant stakeholder groups.

Shaping the Future of Hospitality HR

• Lead the people implications of major business and organisational change initiatives.
• Ensure readiness for evolving employment legislation and changing workforce expectations.
• Support the continued evolution of HR technology, digital transformation and the application of AI to improve colleague and business outcomes.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a commercially minded HR leader who combines strategic thinking with strong operational execution.

You'll likely bring:

• Significant senior HR leadership experience within a large, complex and customer-focused environment such as hospitality, retail, leisure, travel, FMCG or a similarly people-intensive sector.
• A proven track record of partnering with Executive and Senior Leadership teams to deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Experience leading large HR teams and developing high-performing talent functions.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including influencing senior external partners, owners, franchisees or third-party operators.
• Deep expertise in employment law, employee relations, organisational design and change leadership.
• Experience leading people strategies across multi-site operations.
• Outstanding communication, influencing and relationship-building capabilities.
• Flexibility to travel regularly throughout the UK & Ireland.

What Makes This Role Different

This is a rare opportunity to lead people strategy at scale, with the chance to influence thousands of colleagues across one of the UK & Ireland’s largest hotel portfolios.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Shape the people agenda across the UK & Ireland for one of the world’s most recognised hospitality companies.
• Influence the employee experience across more than 400 hotels.
• Partner with a broad network of owners, operators and business leaders.
• Lead transformational initiatives across talent, culture, technology and organisational effectiveness.
• Play a key role in defining the future of hospitality employment in the UK & Ireland.

Closing Date for applications: 19th August 2026

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At IHG, we’ve made a promise. As one of the world’s leading hotel groups, we’re here to deliver True Hospitality for Good. Making our guests and colleagues feel welcome, cared for, recognised and respected – wherever they are in the world. Want to be part of the journey?