Head of HR & Administration

New UK Launch Project / Hybrid Working / Global Environment –

A hotel group planning its first UK opening is seeking a Head of HR & Administration to support the launch of its new UK operation.

The Head of HR & Administration will play a key role in building the organisation from the ground up ahead of the planned hotel opening in 2028. The role will lead recruitment, HR framework development, employee policies, training structures, and general administration activities.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional to establish the foundation of a new organisation while working closely with Japan headquarters and international teams.

(Ref: MI47417 – Please include this when making any enquiries.)

Main Responsibilities

• Develop workforce plans and lead recruitment activities across all departments ahead of the hotel opening
• Manage recruitment processes including job descriptions, candidate selection, interviews, and hiring decisions
• Manage employment contracts, right–to–work checks, DBS checks, and onboarding processes
• Coordinate training programmes with Japan headquarters and support overseas training arrangements
• Develop company policies including employment regulations, GDPR, and equality policies
• Ensure compliance with UK employment law and liaise with external legal and HR specialists
• Design HR frameworks including performance evaluation, grading, salary structures, and bonus schemes
• Establish KPI setting and employee performance management processes
• Support implementation of HR systems including payroll and attendance systems
• Support office setup, supplier coordination, administrative operations, and government–related procedures
• Provide general support to the General Manager

Ideal Candidate

• Must have experience supporting the launch of a new business, hotel, restaurant, retail operation, or other pre–opening project in the UK
• Experience in HR, administration, business management, hospitality, or related fields
• 7+ years' HR and administration experience, including 3+ years in a management role
• Proven experience managing the full recruitment process
• Strong understanding of UK employment law and GDPR requirements
• Experience reviewing employment contracts
• Experience establishing HR policies, procedures, or frameworks from the ground up
• CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification is advantageous
• Experience in hospitality, hotel, or service industries is preferred
• Understanding of Japanese corporate culture or Japanese language skills is advantageous
• Experience with HR and payroll systems such as Workday is advantageous

Conditions

• Location: West London
• Working Style: hybrid
• Salary: GBP65,000–GBP100,000 per annum depending on experience
• Job Type: permanent, full–time
• Working Hours: 40 hours per week
• Start: negotiable (within this year, as the successful candidate will join during the pre–opening phase)

Visa Support

All applicants for the Head of HR & Administration position must have the right to work in the UK without any restrictions as the Company is not able to offer visa support.

We regret that we cannot accept applications from Working Holiday, Graduate or Student visa holders.

If your application is successful, you will be contacted within two business days. We regret that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we cannot provide feedback on individual CVs.