Director of Organizational Development & Communication - Dollywood Parks & Resorts - Exempt

At Dollywood Parks & Resorts, we create memories worth repeating. We do this every day across all properties, all located in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Ask anyone who has visited Dollywood Parks & Resorts and they will tell you this place is different. It’s not a difference that you can touch or see - it’s a difference you can feel. We are seeking candidates who will embody the heart and soul of our mission of creating memories worth repeating while bringing families closer together. This person also brings a spirit of fun, authenticity, collaboration, creativity and genuine hospitality to the lives of our guests.

Ask anyone who has visited Dollywood Parks & Resorts, and they will tell you this place is different. It’s not a difference you can touch or see - it’s a difference you can feel. We are seeking a(n) Director of Organizational Development & Communication for Dollywood Parks & Resorts who will embody the heart and soul of our mission of creating memories worth repeating while caring deeply about our brand.

We want to work alongside someone who acts as an extension of our mission, values, and culture. This individual is driven to create meaningful experiences for our hosts, guests, and community while ensuring the success and profitability of our unique offerings. They also bring fun, authenticity, collaboration, creativity, and genuine hospitality to their life and work. The right Director of Organizational Development & Communication checklist will include equal parts curious learner, innovator, administrator, detail driver, mentor, and motivator.

This role is responsible for the strategy and implementation of training and development for all levels of Hosts at Dollywood Parks and Resorts to ensure the understanding and practice of company values and expectations, and to develop capable leaders for company growth. Furthermore, this role oversees broad communication at all properties for internal Hosts and potential employees. The role also provides guidance and structure for appreciation and recognition programs. All of this will be done in a manner consistent with the mission, values and standards of the Dollywood Company.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will be able display and live out Lead with Love qualities, strongly rooted in the Dollywood Company culture, by being patient, kind, humble, respectful, trusting, unselfish, truthful, forgiving, and dedicated. 

Summary of Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Identify training needs, then create, implement, and oversee the training and organizational development plans for the Dollywood Company, including program and curriculum development, ensuring its effectiveness for all levels of employment
• Build relationships with operating teams to understand training, development needs, and communication needs, and create strategies, curriculum and media content based on those needs
• Organize and oversee the teaching of the company’s core values and expectations for serving Guests, caring for Hosts, and achieving performance expectations, in a way that meets company objectives
• Act as in-house support and consultant to the Dollywood Company operating teams to provide coaching, instruction, assessments, resources, and advice to grow and develop individual leaders and healthy team environments
• Work with company leaders to support management succession plans and ensure a healthy talent pipeline for current and future business needs
• Use HR data gathering and analysis to measure training effectiveness and understand training needs
• Oversee the effective use of the Learning Management System
• Oversee and implement employment brand strategies and tactics that include communication and engagement for current and potential employees
• Oversee the management of communication calendars to ensure content is created and distributed effectively to current and potential employees
• Select, train and supervise a team of hourly and exempt training, development, communication, and engagement
• Oversee Dollywood Company compliance for required training to meet annual goals
• Partner with all properties to ensure Host engagement is fostered through the development of new appreciation, recognition and incentive programs
• Support the development of new communication tools to nurture Host engagement and contribute to Host recruitment and retention
• Work collaboratively with the entire HR Team to achieve common goals and assist with team functions and responsibilities
• Ensure compliance with all applicable labor laws
• Ensure compliance with corporate and property policies and procedures
• Prepare and adhere to annual budgets
• Routinely serve as HR Person-in-charge of HR
• Direct HR strategy for all New-Hire orientation and returning Host training classes to ensure effective delivery of onboarding content
• Evaluate effectiveness of host and leader training programs to continually improve and meet our business needs
• Maintains knowledge of new methods and techniques for training, and training requirements applicable to the organization and/or industry
• Ensures that training milestones and goals are met while adhering to the approved training budget
• In partnership with the HR managers, create an annual training and development plan focused on identified needs
• Provide leadership to the HR Training and Communications/Engagement team

Management reserves the right to change and/or add to these duties at any time

Education and Experience Required

• Seven (7) years of Human Resources experience and a track record of leading-edge methods of training, development, communication and engagement in a large organizational environment required
• College degree required. Degree in organizational development, human resources, or communications strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to fairly resolve employee concerns and successfully develop teams and individuals
• Theme park experience preferred
• Successful experience leading and supervising 2-5 employees
• Excellent reading, writing, speaking, and presentation skills
• Strong knowledge of common office software such as word processing, presentation design, and spreadsheet software required
• Must successfully pass a background check, drug test, and obtain a TN driver’s license

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Able to make a friendly impression when speaking to or corresponding with guests, vendors, and other employees
• Must reflect Dollywood’s image by being genuinely friendly and caring and by taking pride in work
• Must be self-motivated and disciplined
• Must be able to prioritize and complete work assignments on a timely basis
• Must maintain strict confidentiality and judgment regarding privileged information
• Must be committed to continuous improvement
• Must have professional appearance with good personal hygiene
• Must promote and support a “team” work environment by cooperating and helping co-workers
• Must be productive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Must maintain dependable work attendance and flexibility with assigned work schedules including any required overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays
• Must be sensitive to the needs of our Guests and feel empowered to act to meet their needs within company guidelines
• Must be able to utilize effective communication, problem solving, conflict management and interpersonal skills
• Must show appreciation of others
• Able to get along with other employees to work out problems and resolve conflicts
• Able to comprehend instructions and retain information
• Able to perform duties consistent with creating a safe and secure environment for hosts and guests
• Able to be flexible to handle frequent changes in priorities
• Able to add, subtract, multiply and divide with accuracy
• Able to communicate effectively using standard English grammar and punctuation
• Must be able to retain information and make logical decisions that are consistent with company culture
• Be able to resolve conflict
• Be organized
• Be enthusiastic and positive
• Be a change agent and have a sense of urgency to get things done
• Be logical in decision making
• Strong business acumen and highly developed analytical skills
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds
• Able to tolerate various temperatures while working indoors and outdoors
• Able to operate/drive a company vehicle with valid driver’s license and insurance
• Able to meet the physical demands of the job

The Dollywood Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. The Dollywood Company drives a welcoming culture where ideas and decisions from all people support our efforts to be relevant in an ever-changing world.