Job Location: Livingstone

Avani Victoria Falls ResortAt Avani, we’re all about finding that perfect balance — between cool and kind, design and function, service and privacy. We’ve built our hotels and resorts around this philosophy: vibrant social spaces that vibe with the day, stylish rooms that simply work, and honest, locally inspired food. We embrace an upbeat service culture that genuinely respects the art of hospitality.

With a growing portfolio across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Australia, Avani is a brand on the move. If you take real pride in the little things — and believe that a warm welcome and a genuine smile make all the difference — you’ll fit right in here.

The Assistant Manager of People & Culture is responsible for leading and delivering the hotel’s People & Culture strategy in alignment with the company’s vision, values, and business objectives. The role partners closely with the Hotel Manager and Department Heads to attract, develop, engage, and retain high-performing teams while ensuring compliance with labour legislation and company policies.

He/She champions a positive employee experience, drives organizational culture, supports operational excellence, and ensures the hotel remains an employer of choice through best-in-class People & Culture practices.

Strategic People Leadership

• Partner with the Hotel Manager to develop and implement the annual People & Culture strategy aligned with business priorities.
• Provide strategic P&C input into the annual Business Plan.
• Develop and manage the annual People & Culture budget.
• Analyse workforce trends and recommend strategies to improve productivity, engagement, retention and succession planning.
• Drive organizational culture initiatives aligned with the company’s values and service philosophy.
• Support business transformation and change management initiatives

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Lead all recruitment and selection activities to attract exceptional talent.
• Develop workforce plans aligned with operational requirements.
• Ensure effective onboarding and orientation of all new colleagues.
• Build strong talent pipelines for critical positions.
• Promote internal career development and succession planning.
• Monitor recruitment metrics including time-to-fill, cost-per-hire and quality-of-hire.

Employee Relations & Labour Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable labour legislation and employment regulations.
• Provide expert advice to managers on employee relations matters.
• Manage disciplinary processes, grievances, investigations and conflict resolution.
• Maintain positive relationships with employee representatives and unions where applicable.
• Represent the hotel during labour inspections and external audits.
• Coordinate all work permits, visas and expatriate documentation

Performance Management

• Lead the hotel’s performance management process.
• Coach managers on performance improvement and talent development.
• Ensure timely completion of probation reviews, performance appraisals and development plans.
• Identify high-potential employees and support succession planning.
• Drive accountability through effective performance conversations.

Learning & Development

• Partner with the Learning Manager to identify capability gaps.
• Support implementation of the Annual Learning & Development Plan.
• Promote continuous learning and leadership development.
• Ensure compliance training is completed.
• Encourage career development through coaching and mentoring initiatives.
• Monitor learning effectiveness and return on investment.

Employee Engagement & Culture

• Lead employee engagement initiatives that improve colleague satisfaction.
• Drive recognition programmes and employee appreciation activities.
• Promote company values and organizational culture.
• Facilitate employee communication forums and engagement surveys.
• Act as the primary contact for the Employee Communication Committee.
• Monitor engagement action plans and continuously improve employee experience.

P&C Operations & Administration

• Ensure People & Culture policies and procedures are consistently implemented.
• Maintain complete and confidential employee records.
• Ensure all employment documentation complies with legal and company requirements.
• Manage contracts, promotions, transfers and separations.
• Produce accurate HR reports and workforce analytics.
• Ensure all employee files are maintained in both HRIS and physical records where required.

HR Systems & Digital Excellence

• Manage the Human Resources Information System (HRIS).
• Ensure employee records, payroll, attendance and leave information remain accurate.
• Train managers in effective use of HR systems.
• Produce workforce dashboards and management reports.
• Support implementation of new HR technologies and automation initiatives.
• Digitally astute

Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Industrial Psychology or related field.
• Professional HR qualification.
• Membership of the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management (ZIHRM) or equivalent professional body.

Experience

• Minimum 5–7 years’ progressive Human Resources experience
• Minimum 3 years in a management or leadership position.
• Experience within an international hospitality brand advantageous
• Demonstrated experience in local labour relations, talent management and organizational development.
• Experience managing HRIS and payroll systems.

Competencies

Leadership

• Inspires trust and confidence.
• Leads with integrity and fairness.
• Develops and empowers others.
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence.
• Drives accountability and results.
• Champions organizational culture.

Business Acumen

• Understands commercial drivers of the hospitality business.
• Makes informed decisions using data and analytics.
• Thinks strategically while executing operational priorities.

Communication

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong influencing and negotiation ability.
• Builds productive relationships across all levels.

Personal Effectiveness

• High ethical standards and confidentiality.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Resilient under pressure.
• Adaptable and solutions-oriented.