Avalon Hotel & Bungalow Palm Springs
An old world hideaway in the heart of Palm Springs, Avalon is a desert oasis tucked into the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains. With 70 Spanish-style lodgings, including romantic studios and 13 private villas, three cabana-lined pools, the acclaimed Chi Chi restaurant and the restorative Estrella Spa, it’s no secret why Avalon’s sun-kissed, lush, citrus tree-lined grounds have been a Hollywood playground since the 1930s.
Ingleside Estate
At the historic Ingleside Estate, an old Hollywood glamour runs deep. Built in the 1920s for the heirs to the Pierce Arrow Automobile Company, it was later purchased in 1935 by Palm Springs pioneer Ruth Hardy. Through the years, Ingleside served as a Palm Springs escape for A-list names including Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, with a legacy that's still felt in its serene, hedge-lined grounds. A relaxed elegance is palpable throughout the 30 Spanish Revival rooms and suites, and on the lush lawn with pool and hot tub. The iconic dining experience of Melvyn’s restaurant and lounge completes this picturesque setting to play and escape it all.
Position Overview
The Director of People and Culture is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for cultivating a refined, inclusive, and service-driven culture that reflects our brand. This role partners closely with executive leadership to attract, develop, and retain exceptional talent while ensuring compliance, operational excellence and an outstanding employee experience.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Culture
- Champion Avalon and Ingleside's values, service philosophy and brand standards across all employee touchpoints
- Act as a strategic partner to the Area General Manager and department heads on workforce planning, organizational design and leadership development
- Foster a high-performance, guest-centric culture rooted in respect, accountability and inclusion
Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
- Oversee recruitment strategies for all levels, with a focus on sourcing talent aligned with luxury lifestyle hospitality standards
- Design and lead a seamless onboarding experience that immerses new hires in the hotel’s culture and service ethos
- Strengthen employer branding and community partnerships to support long-term talent pipelines
Employee Relations & Engagement
- Serve as a trusted resource for employees and managers, addressing concerns with discretion, empathy and professionalism
- Lead performance management processes, coaching leaders on feedback, development plans and corrective action
- Drive engagement initiatives, recognition programs and internal communications that elevate morale and retention
Learning & Development
- Partner with department heads to identify skill gaps and succession plans
- Support continuous learning aligned with luxury lifestyle service expectations
Compensation, Benefits & Compliance
- Oversee compensation and benefits programs to ensure competitiveness, equity and fiscal responsibility
- Ensure full compliance with all federal, state and local labor laws and hospitality regulations
- Manage HR policies, employee handbook updates and HRIS systems
Operations & Administration
- Maintain accurate employee records and HR metrics; analyze data to inform decisions and improve outcomes
- Manage HR budget and vendor relationships
- Support special projects and initiatives as the hotel evolves or expands
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
- 7+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
- Prior experience in luxury or lifestyle hospitality/boutique service environment strongly preferred
- Deep knowledge of employment law, employee relations and HR best practices
- Proven ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, coach, and build trust at all levels
- High emotional intelligence, discretion and a genuine passion for people and service
Salary
- $115,000-125,000 base + bonus
Why Join Proper Hospitality
At Proper, we build experiences that move people — and that begins with the team behind them. As a best-in-class employer, we’re committed to creating one of the Best Places to Work in hospitality by nurturing a culture where creativity, excellence, and humanity thrive together.
Everything we do is grounded in the belief that hospitality is more than a profession - it’s an opportunity to care for others and make lives better. Guided by the Pillars of Proper, we show up with warmth and authenticity (Care Proper), strive for excellence in everything we do (Achieve Proper), think creatively and resourcefully (Imagine Proper), and take pride in the style and culture that make us who we are (Present Proper).
We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we invest deeply in their wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful development programs, Proper is designed to help you build a career, and a life, that feels as inspiring as the experiences we create for our guests.
Our Commitment: Building the Best Place to Work
Our Best Place to Work initiative is a living commitment — a continuous investment in our people, our culture, and our purpose. We listen, learn, and evolve together to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to imagine boldly, achieve confidently, care deeply, and present themselves authentically.
At Proper, joining the team means more than finding a job — it means joining a community that believes in building beautiful experiences together, for our guests and for one another.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
