Director

North-West University / Noordwes-Universiteit; Mahikeng; On-site; ZAR 2,000,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

North-West University (NWU) seeks a Director: Employee Relations and Wellness to provide strategic leadership across Employee Relations and Wellness. The role governs labour relations, collective bargaining, policy interpretation and compliance, while driving employee wellbeing initiatives and risk management.

The position requires a Masters in a related field and extensive senior ER/IR experience within a complex, unionised environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Labour Relations, Industrial Relations, HRM, Employee Relations, Labour Law or closely related discipline.
• Eight+ years of senior leadership experience in Employee/Labour Relations within higher education or similar complex environment.
• Three+ years in management of ER functions including collective bargaining, dispute resolution and policy.
• Five+ years in ER/IR practice including CCMA and disciplinary/grievance management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and governance for Employee Relations and Wellness.
• Lead the ER function with responsibility for disciplinary, grievance and dispute resolution processes.
• Oversee compliance with labour legislation, collective agreements and governance requirements.
• Monitor trends in labour relations and wellness, advising leadership on risks and interventions.
• Manage the University’s Employee Wellness Programme and related initiatives.
• Engage with unions and stakeholders to negotiate and implement agreements.
• Lead a high-performing team and manage budgets and resources.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Labour Relations

Employee Wellness

Policy Development

Stakeholder Management

Negotiation

Governance

Risk Management

Education

Masters in Labour Relations or related

Job description

DIVISION: NWU DVC: STUDENT LIFE, TRANSFORMATION, PEOPLE & CULTURE

POSITION NUMBER: N000753

VACANCY: DIRECTOR: EMPLOYEE RELATIONS AND WELLNESS

PEROMNES GRADE:05

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

To provide strategic leadership and governance for Employee Relations and Employee Wellness across the University by developing and implementing effective labour relations, collective bargaining and wellness strategies that support organisational performance, employee wellbeing and positive workplace relations.

The role ensures compliance with relevant legislation, policies and collective agreements, manages employment-related risks, and serves as the University's principal advisor on employee relations, labour relations and wellness matters.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A master’s degree (NQF Level 9) in Labour Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management, Employee Relations, Labour Law (LLM) or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in senior leadership in Employee / Labour Relations within Higher Education or comparable complex, unionised environment.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in management of ER function including collective bargaining, dispute resolution and policy.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in ER / IR practice including CCMA and disciplinary / grievance management.

ADDED ADVANTAGES:

• Experience working in a higher education institution or a similarly complex public-sector environment.
• Admission as a legal practitioner.
• Membership of the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) or the South African Reward Association (SARA).

JOB DESCRIPTION

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Alignment

• Develop and oversee the implementation of Employee Relations and Employee Wellness strategies aligned to the University's strategy and People Strategy.
• Provide strategic advice to executive leadership on labour relations, employee wellbeing, legislative developments and emerging workforce risks.
• Ensure effective governance frameworks, policies and practices that promote compliance, fairness and organisational sustainability.
• Monitor and report on employee relations and wellness trends, risks and strategic interventions.

Employee Relations Management

• Lead the University's employee relations function, ensuring effective management of disciplinary, grievance, incapacity, dispute resolution and conflict management processes.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on labour legislation, case law, policy interpretation and employee relations matters.
• Oversee complex and high-risk employee relations cases, including CCMA, bargaining council and Labour Court matters where required.
• Monitor employee relations trends and implement proactive interventions to mitigate organisational risk and strengthen workplace relations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable labour legislation, collective agreements, institutional policies and governance requirements.
• Coordinate employee relations audits, reviews and reporting requirements.

Employee Relations and Wellness Research

• Monitor and analyse developments in labour legislation, case law, higher education trends and employee wellness practices.
• Conduct research and provide strategic insights that inform policy development, decision-making and institutional practice.
• Benchmark employee relations and wellness practices against leading institutions and emerging best practice.
• Provide thought leadership on workplace wellbeing, employee engagement and healthy organisational cultures.

Employee Wellness and Management

• Provide strategic oversight of the University's Employee Wellness Programme.
• Develop and implement wellness frameworks, policies and initiatives that promote employee wellbeing, resilience and productivity.
• Monitor organisational wellbeing indicators and recommend targeted interventions.
• Oversee incapacity management processes and support services.
• Represent the University on relevant wellness, health and wellbeing forums and committees.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of wellness initiatives and programmes.

Labour Relations and Stakeholder Management

• Lead collective bargaining, consultation and negotiation processes with recognised labour unions.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with organised labour and key internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate the conclusion, implementation and monitoring of collective agreements.
• Advise executive leadership on labour relations risks, negotiation strategies and stakeholder engagement approaches.
• Represent the University on employee relations, labour relations and human rights-related forums and committees.
• Promote effective communication, consultation and dispute prevention mechanisms across the institution.

Management and Leadership Result Areas

• Lead and develop a high-performing Employee Relations and Wellness team.
• Ensure effective workforce planning, performance management and staff development within the portfolio.
• Manage budgets, resources, systems and service delivery standards.
• Ensure effective risk management, governance and reporting within the function.
• Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Collective Bargaining and Negotiation.
• Employment Legislation and Regulatory Compliance.
• Employee Wellness and Wellbeing Management.
• Policy Development and Governance.
• Strategic Planning and Alignment.
• Stakeholder and Union Relationship Management.
• Risk Management and Advisory Services.
• Financial and Resource Management.

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic and Systems Thinking.
• Leadership and Accountability.
• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving.
• Influencing and Negotiation.
• Relationship Building and Collaboration.
• Service Orientation.
• Innovation and Change Agility.
• Professional Integrity and Ethical Conduct.

REMUNERATION:

The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO:

Mr. Esrom Phungo on 018 299 4818

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO:

Mrs. Goitsemnag Ntsoelengoe on 018 299 2752

CLOSING DATE:

07 October 2026

PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES:

As soon as possiblE

Kindly take note:

Applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website. Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.

If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.