Director, People & Culture

ASH Hotels designs, develops, owns and operates a very special collection of properties. In our world, a hotel is much more than a destination to meet, dine, or sleep. Rather, it is a dynamic site of imagery and emotions, interactions and sensations manifesting within the walls of a beautifully restored local legend - a living movie set. An ASH hotel is a connection to the past and a beacon for the future, layered in nuanced storytelling that invites exploration time and again.

The historic Hotel Sorrento is a cultural anchor in Seattle. From the fireside salons filled with local legends, to a spirit sighting, or the rooftop views of a growing city, the Sorrento has always been where Seattle gathers to celebrate and connect; a landmark with decades of stories, well cared-for guests, and deep roots in the neighborhood it calls home. Steps from downtown Seattle, the hotel enjoys one of the city's most enviable settings: walkable to Pike Place Market, the waterfront, the convention center, and the region's best dining, all while retaining the quiet charm of a tree-lined enclave.

We're looking for a People & Culture Director who understands that the guest experience begins long before anyone checks in. It starts with how our team feels walking through the door each morning. In this role, you'll be the quiet backbone of our hotel, guiding the full employee lifecycle with both precision and heart. You bring deep, current knowledge of Washington/Seattle employment law and HR best practices, and you apply that knowledge not as a gatekeeper, but as a protector of our people, our company, and our culture.

From recruiting and onboarding to performance, compliance, the fun celebrations, and off-boarding; you handle every touchpoint with care and discretion. You remember names and details, notice when a team member is struggling, and know when a policy needs to flex to meet a human moment. If you believe that a well-supported team creates something guests can feel, you'll fit right in here.

This is a full-time, exempt position.

Culture & Team Building

• Lead the development of a workplace culture that reflects ASH Hotels and the character of this property
• Lead recruitment across departments, in partnership with department heads and the GM.
• Deliver an onboarding experience that sets a real tone, not just a checklist. One that makes new team members feel welcome, oriented, respected, and ready.
• Build and execute internal programs that support employee growth, recognition, and belonging across all departments.
• Foster a positive workplace culture through employee feedback and open communication.
• Serve as a trusted resource for employees at every level.
• Partner with department heads to develop their people management skills and build teams that communicate well and take care of each other.

People Operations & Compliance

• Own all HR functions for the property: recruitment, onboarding, performance management, employee relations, leave administration, and off-boarding.
• Ensure full compliance with Washington employment law, including wage and hour regulations, and mandatory training requirements.
• Manage leave of absence processes with care and accuracy — coordinating FMLA, PFML, and any applicable local ordinances.
• Maintain accurate, confidential employee records
• Oversee employee benefits, payroll, workers’ compensation, and unemployment claims.
• Conduct thorough, fair, and timely workplace investigations when concerns arise, documenting findings with care and professionalism.
• Partner with legal counsel as needed on complex employee relations matters, ensuring the property is protected and people are treated fairly.
• Maintain a compensation and benefits philosophy that is competitive, transparent, and compliant with pay equity and disclosure requirements.
• Anticipate the people challenges that come with a hotel opening and build the systems and relationships to meet them.

Deep, working knowledge of Washington employment law, regulations, wage and hour rules, and the nuances of how they apply day to day in a hospitality setting.

4+ years in an HR/People Manager or generalist role, ideally in hospitality or a similarly fast-paced, people-intensive environment. Hotel experience is a genuine plus.

A natural sense for what makes a workplace feel good; and the judgment to act on it early, before small things become bigger ones. You build culture by example as much as by policy.

Able to hold space for people without losing perspective. You can hear a concern, read what's underneath it, and respond in a way that's fair, considered, and human.

Clear and direct in writing and in person. Comfortable mediating and/or delivering difficult conversations with care, and equally at ease presenting to leadership or sitting across from a new hire on their first day.

Experienced with HRIS platforms, onboarding…