About the position
The Senior HR Manager will work in close partnership with the Group People Officer and take ownership of HR operations for the business, bringing particular depth in labor relations, IR, and employee relations. Partnering directly with the GPO, this person builds and leads the company’s compliance framework (including OHS, BBBEE, and SETA), personally manages complex disputes and CCMA matters, and serves as the senior HR voice within the business. Alongside this, they own the full day-to-day HR remit — recruitment, onboarding, payroll liaison, and policy — while working with the GPO on strategic direction.
Key responsibilities:
- Build and maintain the compliance framework: BCEA, LRA, OHS Act, BBBEE scorecard, and SETA/skills development (WSP/ATR, grants, levies).
- Partner with the GCPO to drive a globally aligned, high-performance team, jointly defining focus areas and implementation strategy.
- Provide senior, practical HR guidance to line managers and leadership on complex or sensitive matters.
- Lead and grow the HR team as it scales (HR Managers, Business Partners, admin staff).
- Own end-to-end recruitment and onboarding for quality, fast-ramping hires.
- Oversee payroll liaison and accuracy, resolving escalated payroll/benefits queries.
- Design and continuously improve HR policies, keeping them current, defensible, and consistently applied.
- Maintain audit-ready records and report on core HR/IR metrics to inform business decisions.
- Deliver GCPO/EXCO reporting dashboards, flagging key risks and mitigations.
- Flag workforce, reward, or compliance risk early in business planning.
- Support pays benchmarking to keep reward decisions defensible and market aligned.
- Lead labor relations, IR, and ER, including CCMA representation and end-to-end case management (disciplinary, grievances, disputes, restructures, retrenchments).
Required capabilities:
- 5+ years’ HR generalist experience with substantial, demonstrable depth in labor relations, IR, and ER.
- Hands-on experience personally leading CCMA cases, disciplinary hearings, grievances, and restructures/retrenchments.
- Practical experience with OHS, BBBEE scorecard management, and SETA/skills development submissions.
- Experience managing or leading other HR professionals.
- Confident, credible communicator able to navigate difficult conversations up to EXCO level.
- Sound judgement and discretion with sensitive or high-risk matters.
- Track record of building or strengthening a compliance framework, not just operating within one.
- Equally comfortable at a strategic level and running HR operations hands-on.
Must have:
- Relevant HR/IR qualification (HR, Industrial Psychology, Labor Law, or related)
- Experience in a scaling, high-growth, or multi-entity business
- Preferred
- Experience supporting employees/contractors across other jurisdictions (EOR), particularly US, UK, or Brazil
- Experience implementing or administering an HRIS platform
- Exposure to organisational design, restructuring, or M&A people integration
Why you’ll love working for the company:
The company believes in taking care of their team and creating an environment where you can thrive. As part of their company, you will enjoy:
- Flexible working arrangements: Whether you’re a night owl or an early bird, they offer hybrid and remote options to suit your lifestyle.
- Comprehensive benefits: From a wellness program to home office reimbursements and continuous learning opportunities, they have got you covered.
- Team culture: Fun team-building activities, regular socials, and a supportive, inclusive culture that values transparency, accountability, and work-life balance.
- Performance incentives: Competitive salaries, ESOP, and recognition for your hard work.
Desired Skills:
- HR generalist
- labor relations
- skills development submissions
- organisational design
