Executive Assistant: Group Executive: HC

Sanlam; Bellville; Hybrid; ZAR 400 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services group is seeking an Executive Assistant to support its Group Executive of Human Capital. This pivotal role involves high-level administrative support, stakeholder engagement, and enhancement of operational excellence. The ideal candidate should have experience supporting executive leadership and proficiency with digital tools. The position offers a hybrid working arrangement, adapting to the needs of the executive team.

Benefits

Opportunities for growth and development

Hybrid working options

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Experience supporting C-suite or executive leadership in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in operations and project coordination.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in high-pressure situations.

Responsibilities

• Provide high calibre executive support to Group Human Capital leadership.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and ensure clear communication.
• Partner with HC Shared Services for operational support.

Skills

Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills

Advanced proficiency in digital productivity tools

Stakeholder management expertise

Project coordination experience

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Tools

Microsoft 365

SAP SuccessFactors

Job description

Who are we?

Sanlam was established as a life insurance company in South Africa but has since transformed into a diversified financial services group that operates across the African continent, India, Malaysia and selected developed markets, with listings on the Johannesburg, A2X and Namibian stock exchanges. In 2018 the Group celebrated its centenary as well as 20 years since demutualisation and listing in South Africa and Namibia. Sanlam is one of the largest internationally active insurance groups in the world with a presence in 31 countries and has the biggest non‑banking financial services footprint on the African continent.

The Group’s five business clusters (Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz and Santam) house the Group’s business operations. The Group Office provides strategic direction and support to the five clusters, aiding them in realising their strategies and meeting their business objectives. The Group Office is responsible for governance and for the Group’s centralised functions, which include: Finance, Actuarial and Risk Management, Strategy, Human Resources, Market Development and Sustainability.

What will you do?

As an Executive Assistant to the Group Executive of Human Capital, you will play a pivotal role in driving the effectiveness and impact of the Group Human Capital function. Provide high calibre executive support to the Group Human Capital leadership, enabling seamless governance, confidential coordination, and proactive delivery across the people agenda. The role orchestrates executive calendars, board/committee packs, stakeholder engagement, and critical HC operations rhythms so the leader can focus on strategic outcomes. This role transcends traditional executive support, positioning you as a trusted advisor, operational coordinator, and catalyst for organisational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Stakeholder & Communications Orchestration
Serve as the primary liaison for the Group Executive: HC, triaging requests and ensuring clear, timely communication to internal/external parties.
Draft executive correspondence, talking points, and summary briefs; ensure messaging consistency with Group policies and brand standards.
Coordinate HC leadership rhythms (EXCO touchpoints, HC Leadership Team sessions, offsites), including logistics, materials, and outcomes tracking.
Drive continuous improvement in administrative processes, leveraging technology and best practices to enhance efficiency and service delivery.

HC Operations Support
Partner with HC Shared Services, Talent and People Development, Reward, and OE teams to schedule cycles (reviews, submissions, approvals) and prepare accurate inputs.
Maintain high integrity data and artefacts across our HC systems and file structures, support reporting packs and dashboards.
Work within SAP SuccessFactors / mWS to assist leader profiles, talent reviews, and related governance steps, following practice guidance.

Digital Productivity & Continuous Improvement
Leverage Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, and automation to streamline scheduling, task tracking, and document workflows.
Engage with HC’s evolving technology roadmap (e.g., Joule/GenAI enablement) to optimise repetitive tasks and enhance executive throughput.

Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
Build and nurture relationships with senior leaders, board members, and external partners, acting as an ambassador for the Human Capital function.
Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across diverse audiences, adapting style and approach to maximize impact.

Qualification and Experience

Relevant tertiary qualification with experience supporting C‑suite or executive leadership in a dynamic, complex environment.
Demonstrated expertise in operations, stakeholder management, and project coordination.
Advanced proficiency in digital productivity tools and executive communications.
Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and resilience in high‑pressure situations.

Technical Skills

Executive diary & travel orchestration; minute taking & decision tracking; advanced MS 365 (Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Excel).
Document control, confidentiality protocols, and meeting governance.
HRIS familiarity (SAP SuccessFactors / mWS) and talent/people cycle awareness.
Vendor & event management; budgeting basics; procurement workflows.
Comfort with AI enabled productivity (e.g., draft generation, scheduling automation, insights

Key Competencies and Skills

Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
Demonstrates composure, persistence, and self‑confidence in high‑pressure situations.
Operational excellence and results orientation
Innovation, adaptability, and continuous improvement mindset
Exceptional communication and relationship‑building skills
High integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism

Working Conditions

Hybrid work with onsite presence aligned to executive rhythms, key forums and events.
High discretion, resilience, and responsiveness; occasional early/late engagements and travel for off‑sites.

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and the achievement of great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees realize their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the Group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

Closing date: 2 December 2025

Our commitment to transformation

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group’s Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.