Employee Relations Manager

Santam Business; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 40 000 - 80 000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits as an Employee Relations Manager at a leading insurance firm. This role involves developing and implementing employee relations strategies, ensuring compliance with South African labour laws, and fostering strong relationships across the organization. You'll play a key role in advising management on employment matters, handling collective bargaining, and representing the company in external forums. Join a dynamic team committed to transformation and growth, where your expertise will help shape the future of employee relations and contribute to a thriving workplace culture. Take the next step in your career and be part of a company that values diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in employee relations and CCMA rules.
• Strong knowledge of South African labour legislation.

Responsibilities

• Provide consultancy on employee relations matters to managers.
• Manage collective bargaining and represent Santam at dispute forums.

Skills

Influencing and negotiation skills

Coordination and planning skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Results-oriented and proactive

Report writing skills

Computer literacy (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Education

Bachelor’s degree (HRM or Law)

Postgraduate degree in Human Resources

Admitted attorney specializing in Employment Law

Job description

What will you do?

An exciting position of Employee Relations Manager exists in Santam. This role may be based at Head Office Tygervalley or Alice Lane Sandton and reports directly to the Head: Human Capital Delivery.

The role develops and directs implementation of plans, policies, and processes affecting employee relations within the Santam Group. The incumbent is accountable for advice and recommendations, as well as for the coordination and support of labour relationships, while promoting sound business labour relations for the Santam group. Furthermore, the role is required to ensure HC complies with regulations and plays an oversight role thereof.

What will make you successful in this role?

Provide sound Employee Relations

• Provide a consultancy and advisory service to HC and Line managers on employee relations matters, including any aspect of employment law or policy that impacts the employment relationship
• Identify, communicate and mitigate legal, financial and reputational risk to Santam by ensuring fair outcomes
• Draft contracts, policies, procedures and practices aligned to labour legislation, court precedents, collective agreements as required
• Management of collective bargaining with the Union/s on behalf of the Company to ensure effective negotiation and consultation on employee relations matters
• Analysis of employee data to assess ER trends and reporting and providing feedback to the HR leadership and Santam Senior Management team
• Representing Santam at external dispute resolution forums (e.g., CCMA) on individual and collective ER matters
• Ensure advice provided to HCBP team and line managers are in line with agreed SLA
• Facilitate the upskilling of HCBP’s and other key stakeholders on latest employee relations and legislative changes
• Communicate and implement the latest SA Labour legislation ensuring compliance by all stakeholders

Employee Relations Reporting

• Implement and maintain a comprehensive ER administration system
• Maintain an electronic library of all Santam employee relations cases for referral

Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain effective relationships with HCBP team, Santam management, trade unions, and external partners
• Ensure that stakeholders are supported in their communication, consultation, and negotiations including managerial staff restructuring and redundancy processes
• Manage ad hoc projects that are aligned to the annual priorities and HR strategy

Qualification And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (HRM or Law)
• Postgraduate degree in Human Resources (Employee relations majors)
• Admitted attorney specializing in Employment Law
• Knowledge of all applicable labour legislation in South Africa
• At least 5 years’ related experience (including CCMA rules, processes, and cases)
• Experience engaging with key business and external partners across all levels (including senior levels)
• Project management experience
• Ability to travel regularly

Skills

• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Strong coordination, prioritization, organizational, and planning skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and networking skills across all levels
• Results-oriented, proactive, and deadline-driven
• High stress tolerance
• Strong quality and client service orientation
• Dealing with confidentiality
• Report writing skills
• Ability to think out of the box / lateral thinking
• High initiative / self-starter / proactive and able to anticipate requirements
• Professionalism, excellent judgment, discretion, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work independently and make decisions
• Computer literacy (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Core Competencies

Being resilient, Collaborates, Cultivates innovation, Customer focus, Drives results — contributing through others

About The Company

Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. As a large, diversified, and expanding company, we are committed to transformation and growth. While our headquarters are in South Africa, we are rapidly extending our presence into emerging markets across Africa and Asia.

With a client base of over 1 million policyholders, Santam serves individuals, commercial enterprises, specialist business owners, and institutions—including 80 of the Top 100 companies listed on the JSE. Our commitment to Insurance, Good and Proper goes beyond just providing cover—we offer peace of mind, ensuring our clients can focus on living in the moment, not worrying about the unexpected. Because at Santam, we believe the freedom to seize every day is worth protecting.

People drive our business, and we are committed to attracting the best talent, whether for permanent roles or short-term opportunities.

Santam is committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities. We are dedicated to neuro-inclusivity and fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Take the next step in your career—apply now and be part of a company that’s shaping the future of insurance. This is Freedom!