The role
You look after the people who make a Salt Escapes retreat magic. You find them, train them, manage them and help them grow, so that week after week, across multiple destinations and programmes, the team on the ground delivers something exceptional for our guests. You will build and run the Salt Academy, be on the ground when it matters, and build the systems and culture that let us scale without losing what makes us special. You report to the Head of Operations and manage all on-trip team leads and retreat staff.
What you'll be doing
- Own hiring for every on-trip role, end to end: applications, screening, interviews, selection and the whole candidate journey.
- Get every retreat team member contracted, compliant and ready before day one.
- Keep the staff portal spotless: documents, certifications, accreditations and compliance records current for every person on every retreat.
- Build a Heads-of structure across each discipline (Head of Fitness, Head Yogi, Head Chef, Head Host) and a team hierarchy that drives the right culture on every programme.
- Run performance management: reviews, honest accountability conversations and disciplinary processes where needed.
- Roster every retreat across the full annual calendar, matching team profiles to the retreat type (Sweat, Explore, Relax). The right people for the right week.
- Back up team leads on the ground and make sure every retreat is delivered to the Salt Escapes standard.
- Design, build and run the Salt Academy, our week-long induction for every new team member: craft training, team cohesion and guest management (the Salt Escapes Way).
- Run training days and weekly team sessions all year, and develop the Salt Escapes accreditation programme for every retreat role.
- Build the retreat team community with regular team events, a team awards scheme and a referral programme where great people bring great people.
What you'll bring
- 5+ years managing teams, in person, remotely and across geographies.
- Serious recruitment and training experience. You have built hiring processes and training programmes.
- A track record of building high-performing teams where the bar is high and the pace is fast.
- You are comfortable with data and use it to make decisions, not to fill slides.
- Experience managing external suppliers and agencies.
- Communication that moves people. You are the person a room listens to.
- Experience in a founder-led business, so you know what high expectations look like when they come from the top.
- A background in premium travel, wellness, hospitality or a related sector.
- High personal organisation. You run multiple workstreams without dropping anything.
- Fluency with AI and technology tools. We use them across the business and expect you to as well.
- You take culture seriously, with the humility to listen and the confidence to lead.
Bonus points
Not essential, but we will get excited.
- A CIPD qualification or an equivalent HR or people management accreditation.
- You have built a community programme before. Not just organised events, but built something people truly feel part of.
- You have done a fitness retreat or endurance event, so you understand from the inside what draws people to this world.
- You use AI tools as a standard part of your workflow, not as an experiment.