We are Dean Group. Dive into our company culture, where genuine individuals are celebrated and fun is integral. We specialise in design led, premium hotels, with a focus on art, culture and people. Always leading from the front, we grow careers internally, seeking the best and brightest. Driven by our ethos, our team collaborates with enthusiasm, pushing boundaries for both colleagues and customers.We are currently seeking aPeople Operations Project Leadto join the People & Culture team inDean Group Head Office.If you have experience leading people operations projects, delivering recruitment initiatives, and partnering with diverse stakeholders in a fast-paced environment, we'd love to hear from youKey Areas:People & Culture Discovery & Integration AssessmentRecruitment & OnboardingPre-Opening HR OperationsLocal Compliance & Third-Party PartnershipsTraining & DevelopmentEmployee Engagement & CultureLocation:Dublin - Travel ExpectedOverviewPeople Operations Project Lead - Hotel Openings is a people-focused and operationally driven HR professional who supports and coordinates HR activities for the successful launch of new hotels across multiple jurisdictions. This role is central to managing workforce planning, recruitment, compliance, and engagement, while working closely with managed service providers (MSPs), payroll vendors, and legal/HR advisors to ensure seamless HR delivery in new markets.Roles & ResponsibilitiesPeople & Culture Discovery & Integration AssessmentConduct a full people-focused due diligence review when a new property is acquiredAssess existing HR structures, policies, contracts, payroll setup, and compliance status.Map current workforce composition, leadership capability, and organisational structure against group standards.Identify cultural strengths, risks, and integration gaps across departments.Evaluate onboarding practices, recruitment pipelines, and talent retention performance.Review training, L&D practices, and statutory requirements unique to the jurisdiction.Provide a clear findings report with recommendations, priorities, and timelines for integration.Partner with Finance, Legal, Operations, and local leadership to align people strategy with acquisition goals.Recruitment & OnboardingPartner with TA and MSPs and local agencies to manage recruitment for pre-opening roles.Support hiring managers with workforce planning, role scoping, and candidate selection.Coordinate international onboarding processes, ensuring brand culture and standards are embedded.Manage pre-opening assessment days, group interviews, and orientation programmes.Pre-Opening HR OperationsAct as HR project lead for new hotel openings, creating tailored HR opening timelines.Work with payroll providers, HRIS teams, and local partners to set up HR operations in new markets.Collaborate with employment law advisors to adapt policies, procedures, and contracts per jurisdiction.Ensure consistency in HR processes while respecting local legislative and cultural differences.Local Compliance & Third-Party PartnershipsLiaise with MSPs, payroll vendors, and legal advisors to ensure compliance in each new jurisdiction.Oversee employee work permits, visas, and mobility requirements in collaboration with local partners.Build relationships with government agencies and third-party service providers as required.Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local labour law, tax, and HR compliance obligations.Training & DevelopmentDeliver pre-opening induction and brand culture workshops with support from L&D.Coordinate mandatory training in line with local requirements (e.g. health & safety, compliance).Support managers with leadership and people management training during pre-opening.Employee Engagement & CultureChampion the group's EVP and values across new jurisdictions.Coordinate engagement events, communication plans, and recognition initiatives pre and post-opening.Gather insights and feedback from opening teams to evolve the HR opening playbook.Reports to:HR DirectorPreferred Experience & Skills:5+ years' experience in People Operations / HR project delivery, ideally in hospitality or multi-site environments.Experience supporting hotel openings or acquisitions, coordinating end-to-end pre-opening HR activities.Proven recruitment delivery experience with TA teams, MSPs/RPOs, and local agencies.Experience working across multiple jurisdictions, partnering with payroll, HRIS and legal/HR advisors on compliance and setup.Exposure to onboarding programmes and employee mobility (visas/work permits) is an advantage.Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to meet deadlines.Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.Detail-focused, adaptable, and culturally aware.Willingness to travel as required.Benefits:Global discounted staff room rates across the groupEligible for a bonus50% off Food and 25% Beverage across the groupIncreased Annual Leave with ServiceFriends and Family discountGym Membership Discounts*Continual training and developmentCareer progression within the GroupGratuities *Meals on shift (Monday - Wednesday)Bike to work schemeTaxsaver for travelRefer a friend schemeWellness at work events and access to wellness platformEmployment Assistance ProgrammeGroup discounts for cinema tickets, shopping deals etcTeam appreciation daysService recognitionRegular fun-filled activities and gatherings for all teams across the group*Applicable to certain positionsDean Group owns and operates a number of hotel across Ireland, in certain instances we may feel your skills and experience may suit another role we have available. By submitting your application, you are permitting Dean Group to contact you for other opportunities within the Group