Bio
Robert Spooner is a senior human resources executive with over two decades of experience leading people strategy, culture transformation, and workforce planning across global hospitality, conservation, and technology organizations. His work centers on strengthening leadership pipelines, elevating performance, and designing scalable people systems that support engaged, future-ready cultures aligned with organizational vision.
Robert has overseen HR and talent functions for enterprise-level workforces of more than 40,000 employees worldwide, playing a pivotal role in leadership development, succession planning, and employer branding across complex, high-growth environments. His approach blends strategic foresight with operational execution, ensuring organizations have the talent, structure, and culture needed to thrive.
Most recently, as Vice President of Human Resources and Head of Talent Management & Workforce Planning for Sodexo Live!, Robert led talent acquisition, leadership development, and workforce planning for 250+ business units across seven countries. His previous roles include Chief Human Resources Officer for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, where he guided culture evolution and people operations for a global workforce of 5,000, and more than 20 years with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, advancing through multiple HR leadership roles and driving improvements in retention, engagement, and operational excellence.
Across all roles, Robert is recognized for building high-performing teams, navigating complex organizational change, and designing people-centric strategies that support long-term growth and innovation.
Expertise in solving these types of problems:
- Compensation and benefits audit/analysis
- Employee relations and culture development
- Executive coaching
- Organizational and departmental HR process development
- Succession planning
- Talent acquisition and assessment
- Risk assessment (WC, safety, security, liability)
