People & Culture Generalist

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of People & Culture, the People & Culture Generalist supports the full spectrum of human resources functions at Fairmont New Orleans, a new luxury property in the heart of downtown. This role plays an integral part in creating an exceptional employee experience while ensuring efficient administration of People & Culture programs and processes.

Responsibilities

• Foster an engaging workplace culture where employees feel valued, connected, and inspired to contribute.
• Demonstrate and promote the values of trust, respect, engagement, teamwork, and sustainable performance.
• Respond to employee inquiries in a professional, timely, and service-oriented manner.
• Administer and support employee benefits programs, assisting colleagues with benefits enrollment and related questions.
• Support employee recognition and engagement initiatives, celebrating employee achievements and milestones.
• Assist with employee communications, including hotel updates, internal training schedules, newsletters, and social media content.
• Maintain the flow of People & Culture documentation and ensure compliance with hotel policies and procedures.
• Prioritize phone calls, emails, and in-person visitors, ensuring timely follow-up and resolution.
• Support all phases of the recruitment process, including job postings, candidate screening, interview scheduling, and onboarding coordination.
• Coordinate pre-employment and new hire documentation, ensuring completion and compliance with company requirements.
• Maintain accurate employee records within People & Culture systems.
• Process payroll-related changes and support bi-weekly payroll administration as needed.
• Ensure data accuracy across all HR systems and maintain organized electronic and hard-copy personnel files.
• Facilitate and coordinate new hire orientation and onboarding programs.
• Track training completion, maintain training records, and support organizational learning and development programs.
• Provide first-level support and guidance for routine employee relations matters, including attendance concerns, workplace conflicts, policy interpretation, leave administration, and performance-related discussions.
• Assist in resolving basic employee relations issues through fact gathering, documentation, coaching, and follow-up while escalating complex matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or other legal compliance concerns to People & Culture leadership.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee relations records and documentation in accordance with company policies and applicable employment laws.
• Process Workers' Compensation claims and coordinate Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) administration.
• Promote employee engagement and support initiatives designed to enhance employee satisfaction, retention, and team spirit.
• Partner with department leaders to support employee development, performance management, and talent initiatives.
• Support hotel committees and organize colleague events, including town halls, CSR activities, recognition programs, celebrations, and the Annual Colleague Holiday Party.
• Ensure a clean and safe work environment and participate in ongoing safety programs and initiatives.
• Assist with compliance audits, reporting requirements, and other People & Culture projects as assigned.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed to support the People & Culture department and business objectives.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to maintain professionalism in a highly confidential environment and interact with employees, leaders, and guests with tact, diplomacy, and warmth.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Highly organized, results-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Minimum of 3 years of Human Resources experience, preferably in hospitality or a service-focused environment.
• Knowledge of employee relations practices, including coaching, conflict resolution, performance management, and workplace policies.
• Understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR best practices.
• Experience supporting recruitment, onboarding, benefits administration, and employee engagement programs.
• Experience facilitating training, presentations, employee orientations, or group learning sessions preferred.
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and HRIS platforms.
• Strong presentation and communication skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality while handling sensitive employee matters with professionalism and discretion.
• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, or willingness to pursue certification) preferred.