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People & Culture Coordinator

Hotel Californian, Santa Barbara, CA, United States


At Hotel Californian, the People & Talent Coordinator plays a pivotal role in shaping the employee experience from first impression through the full lifecycle of employment. This position serves as the operational and cultural backbone of the People & Culture function—supporting recruitment, onboarding, compliance, and team member engagement while delivering a polished, hospitality-driven internal service experience.

This onsite role requires a highly organized, detail-oriented professional with a passion for people, strong administrative capability, and the ability to operate with discretion in a fast-paced luxury hospitality environment.

Key Responsibilities

Coordinate full-cycle recruiting logistics including job postings, interview scheduling, and candidate communications

Partner with hiring managers to ensure a seamless and elevated candidate experience

Facilitate onboarding processes including offer letters, background checks, I-9 completion, and new hire documentation

Lead or support new hire orientation, ensuring alignment with Hotel Californian culture and standards

Maintain applicant tracking and onboarding workflows within HRIS systems (e.g., Paylocity)

People Operations & Compliance

Maintain accurate and compliant employee records in HRIS, ensuring data integrity across all systems

Support payroll processing by auditing employee data, timekeeping, and status changes

Assist with benefits administration, including enrollments, changes, and employee inquiries

Ensure compliance with federal, state (California), and local employment laws and company policies

Support leave of absence tracking and coordination

Employee Experience & Engagement

Serve as a first point of contact for team member questions, providing exceptional internal customer service

Support employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and culture-building activities

Assist with internal communications, memos, and People & Culture updates

Coordinate training sessions, compliance courses, and development programs

Support sourcing efforts and maintain candidate pipelines for key positions

Assist in promoting the Hotel Californian employer brand through job postings and candidate interactions

Participate in job fairs, hiring events, and community outreach initiatives

Operational Excellence

Manage onboarding checklists and ensure timely completion of all pre-employment requirements

Track and report on recruiting metrics, onboarding progress, and turnover trends

Maintain confidentiality of all employee records and sensitive information

Support audits, reporting, and People & Culture projects as needed

Brand & Culture Alignment

Act as a cultural ambassador, reinforcing Hotel Californian’s values and service philosophy

Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing work environment

Qualifications

1–3 years of HR, recruiting, or administrative experience (hospitality preferred)

Knowledge of HR practices, employment law basics, and compliance standards

Experience with HRIS systems (Paylocity preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite

Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail

Excellent communication andinterpersonal skills

Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion

Ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced environment

Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is highly desirable , supporting effective communication with a diverse workforce and enhancing the overall team member experience

Core Competencies

Hospitality-Driven Internal Service

Attention to Detail

Discretion & Integrity

Communication & Relationship Building

Adaptability & Problem Solving

Physical Requirements

Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods

Ability to lift up to 20 lbs (files, onboarding materials, event setup)

Why Hotel Californian
Hotel Californian is more than a destination—it is a culture of excellence, creativity, and connection. As a People & Talent Coordinator, you will help shape the experience of every team member, ensuring that our people feel supported, inspired, and empowered to deliver exceptional hospitality. We offer our team members health, dental, vision, life, pet and other insurance plans, legal plan, long/short term policies, paid time off, 401k with company match, EAP, free lunch and company discounts at our restaurants, coffee shop, wine tasting venue, and sister-properties.

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