Job Description Summary

The Human Resources Manager plays a key leadership role in fostering a positive and productive work environment at The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown. Reporting to the Area Director of Human Resources, this position supports the day-to-day HR operations with a strong focus on employee engagement, training & development, labor relations support, and compliance. The HR Manager will contribute to broader HR initiatives and continuous improvement projects.

The ideal candidate has a passion for hospitality and providing exceptional service.

Job Description

Principle duties and responsibilities (Essential Functions) include:

• Support and implement property-wide HR strategies that align with the hotel’s operational goals and values.
• Serve as a point of contact for employee inquiries related to HR policies, benefits, and workplace matters.
• Collaborate with department heads to coordinate training needs and facilitate sessions, including service culture training, brand training, and compliance training.
• Partner with the Area Director of HR on employee relations matters, including coaching, progressive discipline, and investigations, ensuring alignment with collective bargaining agreements and company policies.
• Assist in maintaining positive labor relations, including support with grievance handling and contract compliance.
• Ensure consistent and fair application of HR policies and procedures across departments.
• Lead or support special HR projects such as employee engagement initiatives, culture-building efforts, recognition programs and compliance audits.
• Maintain HRIS data accuracy, data entry, transaction processes and support reporting and analytics needs.
• Stay up to date on employment laws and HR best practices relevant to hospitality environments.
• Maintain and update employee records and files (including personnel forms and files, leave of absence forms and files, worker’s Compensation files, updating the OSHA 300 logs, etc.)
• Work with HR Shared Services on administrative duties to include worker’s compensation, unemployment claims, maintenance of employee records and HRIS system, etc.
• Assist employees with inquiries and processes related to leave of absence claims, ensuring timely communication and proper documentation.
• Process newly hired employees, ensuring completion of all required paperwork.
• Maintain employee communication areas such as bulletin boards, cafeteria, employee entrances and locker rooms.
• Fulfill a variety of employee needs including but not limited to provision of name tags, locker assignments, employment verification letters, etc.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of employee information, correspondence, reports and files.
• Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The employee is expected to work in other areas of the hotel when needed to assist operations to perform job duties not necessarily contained in this job description.

Qualifications and Skills

• 3–5 years of progressive HR experience
• Strong understanding of labor laws and employee relations
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to build trust and work effectively across departments.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Union experience a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Additional Job Information/Anticipated

Pay Range

Pay range is $70,000 - $80,000 and are eligible for bonus.

The base pay offered may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and specific/overall experience.

Sonesta recognizes that benefits play a vital role in helping ensure the health and financial security of employees and their families. We offer a variety of benefits to our employees including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Health Savings Account with Company Match

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match

• Paid Vacation and Sick Day

• Sonesta Hotel Discounts

• Educational Assistance

• Paid Parental Leave

• Company Paid Life Insurance

• Company Paid Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Various Employee Perks and Discounts

• Hospital Indemnity

• Critical Illness Insurance

• Accident Insurance

Go Beyond @SonestaHotels

WHO WE ARE

We are an organization made up of people, thoughts and ideas – all working towards fulfilling our simple mission: To wow every guest, team member, partner & community we operate in by delivering quality, value & amazing hospitality.

We will achieve our mission by being passionate about exceeding expectations - by being persistent, resilient, and constantly seeking new and creative ways to succeed. Doing the Right Thing and Going Beyond are our principles that guide everything we do.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

Sonesta is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Upon submitting your application, please ensure you complete a full application in addition to attaching a resume. Incomplete applications received will not be considered.