HR in Hospitality

• Hotel owners and asset managers
• Corporate HR managers with multi-unit oversight in multiple locations
• Recruiters
• Hiring managers
• Operational managers
• Hospitality professionals looking to move into an HR position
• HR professionals looking to move into the hospitality industry

• HR in Hospitality Certificate from Cornell’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration
• 40 Professional Development Hours (4 CEUs)

Thriving hospitality enterprises recognize the pivotal role of human resources in their organizational success. As part of an industry that prioritizes people, the competitive edge in service organizations lies in comprehending the influence of their employees on business performance and long-term advantage. Empowered employees with the right skills set the foundation for remarkable customer experiences. Consequently, hospitality providers need to focus on attracting, developing, and retaining skilled individuals who are committed to delivering a uniform, brand-focused customer experience across all roles.

In this certificate program, you will assess and apply relevant policies, systems, and procedures designed to help your organization hire, nurture, and engage quality employees in today’s increasingly competitive hospitality landscape. Throughout this journey, you'll explore and strategize the management of key factors that impact employee performance and overall business operations.

As part of the coursework, you'll conduct a thorough labor market analysis to align your HR function's competitive position and priorities with your organization's mission and strategic objectives. You’ll have the opportunity to craft a sustainable system for talent attraction and selection that prioritizes job needs, brand consistency, and fostering of the brand culture. Finally, you’ll build a strategy for employee development and retention targeted at keeping hold of talented staff.

You’ll also delve into discrimination law and the seven protected classes, bolstering your understanding of crucial legal concepts related to labor and employment in the hospitality sector. Upon completing the program, you will have honed the skills required to align HR strategies with a hospitality business’s values, brand, and organizational priorities.

This program includes two full years of free access to the HR and Hospitality Symposium!

These highly interactive virtual events span multiple days and explore today’s most pressing topics. Symposium offers exclusive opportunities to engage in real-time discussions with your eCornell community, applying insights from your courses to real-world scenarios. Through reflections and small-group discussions, you’ll deepen your learning, broaden your perspective, and expand your professional network.

Symposium events are held throughout the year, providing ongoing opportunities to stay engaged, gain fresh perspectives, and strengthen your skills. Once enrolled, you’ll receive access to the Symposium networking sites and details about upcoming sessions. You can participate in as many as you’d like to make the most of your experience, though attendance is not required to complete your program.