Executive Director: Human Resources

UMP; Mpumalanga; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) invites applications for the position of Executive Director: Human Resources. The role provides strategic leadership to the HR portfolio, shaping policies, structures and services to support institutional growth, transformation and employee wellbeing.

Candidates should hold a Masters in HR Management or equivalent with extensive senior HR experience, ideally in higher education.

Qualifications

• Masters-level qualification in HR with demonstrable strategic leadership experience.
• Track record in HR transformation, policy development and governance.
• Experience in higher education HR environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the HR portfolio aligned to University strategy and priorities.
• Lead recruitment turnaround strategies, workforce planning and talent acquisition.
• Oversee governance, policy development and employee relations, including DEIB initiatives.

Skills

Strategic HR leadership

Organisational design

Employee relations

Talent management

Education

Masters degree in Human Resource Management or equivalent

Job description

Executive Director: Human Resources - (1039.1)

The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) is a comprehensive University established to provide a relevant, engaged and sustainable learning and teaching environment of outstanding academic excellence to match not only the skills and economic needs of the Province and its people, but of the Country as a whole. The UMP invites applications for the following position/s.

Job Title

Executive Director: Human Resources

Organisational Unit

University of Mpumalanga -> Human Resources -> Human Resource Management / HR Transactions

Job Primary Purpose

The Executive Director: Human Resources will provide strategic leadership and direction to the University's Human Resources portfolio, ensuring the provision of high-quality, integrated and fit-for-purpose HR services aligned to the University's strategy, institutional priorities and transformation agenda.The incumbent will lead a contemporary, agile and responsive Human Resources function that strengthens organisational effectiveness, employee experience, institutional culture, talent management, employee relations and workforce sustainability. The role requires a strategic HR leader capable of translating institutional priorities into measurable people strategies, policies, systems and interventions that support UMP's growth and long-term sustainability.

Key Performance Areas:

• Leading a Recruitment Turnaround Strategy to improve workforce planning, talent acquisition, recruitment turnaround times, selection and onboarding.
• Leading the audit and review of organisational structures and organograms and implementing a fit-for-purpose HR structure and operating model aligned to institutional strategy, affordability, accountability and effective service delivery.
• Leading the review, development and implementation of HR policies, frameworks and procedures, ensuring compliance, good governance and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Leading Organisational Culture, Organisational Values and Organisational Development programmes to strengthen leadership, employee engagement, performance and institutional effectiveness.
• Ensuring compliance in the appointment and management of foreign nationals, supported by sound governance, workforce planning and risk management.
• Championing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), including the mainstreaming of intersectionality and neurodiversity, and implementing an integrated employee wellness programme.
• Providing strategic leadership for Employee Relations Management, including organised labour engagement, collective bargaining, grievance and dispute resolution, conflict management and consequence management.
• Facilitating the Transformation Conceptual Framework aligned to the Universities South Africa (USAf) transformation framework, while strengthening human capital strategy, talent and succession management, HR governance, analytics, risk management and service excellence, and positioning HR as a strategic partner for institutional transformation and sustainable performance.
• A relevant Masters Degree in Human Resource Management or equivalent, with at least 15 years’ relevant HR experience, including a minimumofeight years in a senior managerial/executive position, preferably in Higher Education.
• Alternatively, an acceptable combination of relevant qualifications and experience may be considered.
• A demonstrated track record in leading a substantial HR portfolio, with strategic expertise in HR transformation, organisational development, employee relations, talent management and organisational effectiveness.
• Sound knowledge of the South African Higher Education sector, including its legislative, regulatory and transformation environment.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strategic and transformational leadership; organisational design and development capability; sound knowledge of employee relations and labour legislation; policy development and governance expertise; change and culture leadership; stakeholder and labour-relations management; analytical and evidence-based decision-making; strong communication and influencing skills; and a demonstrated commitment to diversity,equity, inclusion, belonging, employee wellbeing and institutional transformation.

Personal Attributes

• People orientated, hard worker, responsible, reliable, creative and innovative.
• Respectful, honest, punctual and understand protocol.
• Proven attributes of transparency, integrity and teamwork.

Advert Closing Date

25/10/2026

People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment.