People and Culture Manager

Zuma San Diego is coming soon! With this amazing new location just around the corner we are hiring a People and Culture Manage to join our pre-opening team. The People and Culture Manager is a key leader within our San Diego team, responsible for driving a people-first, high-performance culture that reflects Zuma’s values and supports our operational excellence. You will oversee all core HR functions across the venue including: employee relations, training and development, compliance, performance management, talent support, and day-to-day People operations.

Working closely with senior leadership and department heads, you will help shape an engaging team experience across one of the most dynamic hospitality environments in California.

Main Duties

In this role, you will:

• Act as a trusted People and Culture partner for leaders and team members, providing guidance on employee relations, conflict resolution, complaints, and performance matters
• Oversee and ensure compliance with California, San Diego, and Federal employment laws, including FEHA, CFRA, wage transparency, at-will employment, city sick leave requirements, meal & rest break rules, and local labour ordinances
• Shape all pre-opening People and Culture foundations for the venue, from onboarding materials and training frameworks to compliance documentation, HR systems, and department processes
• Lead the full onboarding journey: pre-hire administration, I-9/E-Verify, orientation, training coordination, and ongoing support
• Partner with the Talent Acquisition Manager and Payroll Manager to ensure seamless processes across hiring, status changes, payroll accuracy, and employee lifecycle management
• Maintain accurate, confidential HRIS records in line with California recordkeeping requirements
• Support and coordinate training, upskilling, and development initiatives to drive retention and performance
• Champion employee engagement, wellness, and recognition programmes unique to the Zuma brand
• Guide leaders through performance reviews, coaching plans, documentation, and progressive discipline where required
• Be a visible and approachable presence on the floor across shifts, building relationships and trust with the team
• Help manage workplace safety compliance including onboarding training, accident documentation, workers’ compensation and return-to-work processes in line with California standards

What We Look For

Our ideal candidate embodies our values and the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Hospitality, or related field preferred
• 3–5 years of progressive HR experience, ideally within hospitality
• Strong working knowledge of California and San Diego employment regulations (FEHA, CFRA, Wage Orders, Predictive Scheduling rules, Cal/OSHA standards, Paid Sick Leave, meal & rest break compliance)
• Experience handling complex employee relations with tact, discretion, and confidentiality
• Experience of initial set-up of people processes and procedures in California would also be advantageous
• Proficiency in HRIS platforms (preferably ADP Workforce)
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and coaching skills
• A detail-driven, organised approach and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• A genuine passion for people, culture, and creating an extraordinary workplace

Benefits

As part of our team, you’ll enjoy:

• World-Class training, designed to inspire and educate
• Global opportunities, experience hospitality around the globe with our five incredible brands
• Health Benefits: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance to ensure your well-being
• Family Meals are shared daily
• Rewards Recognition, we value our team and celebrate your contributions to our success with meaningful rewards and recognition
• Dining discount, enjoy exclusive discounts across the Azumi group, worldwide!

About Zuma

Zuma is a contemporary Japanese restaurant collection inspired by the informal yet electric style of izakaya dining. Our North American venues, Miami, New York, Las Vegas, Boston, and now San Diego are known for high energy, elevated service, and world-class cuisine cooked over our iconic robata grills. We are proud to be part of the global Azumi Collection.

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applicants. If you require any assistance to make the recruitment process more accessible, please let one of our Talent Acquisition team know.