IHG
HR Operations Director UK&I
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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.
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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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About Us
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?
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Who we are
At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we work together to deliver True Hospitality for Good on a global scale. With corporate offices and over 6,000 hotel destinations worldwide, a career at IHG is the perfect way to broaden your horizons. You’ll experience our unique culture and brilliant colleagues who will support and inspire you. With a host of corporate opportunities to choose from, wherever you are on your career journey, and whatever you want to achieve there’s Room for You at IHG.
Over recent years, we’ve transformed our company. We have bold ambitions to drive performance and maintain our relentless focus on growth in order to be the hotel company of choice that guests & owners love.
We are a hospitality business at our core and value connections and being together helps us foster a unique sense of belonging that also supports productivity. That’s why here at IHG, we give our colleagues flexibility and balance – working in a hybrid way, blending office and remote working collectively. We recognise that every role is different, that’s why leaders work with teams to determine how and when they collaborate.
We provide a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life. These include impressive room discounts across our many properties, recharge days and volunteering days throughout the year. Through our myWellbeing framework, we are committed to supporting wellbeing in your health, lifestyle, and workplace. We offer a unique and inclusive culture, where there is always Room for You to belong, grow and make a difference.
Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate difference and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable laws. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance. Always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
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