Head of HR

iStaff Recruitment; Langeberg Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 900 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in South Africa is seeking a seasoned HR Executive to lead their human resources initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in HR Management or a related field with extensive experience, including a minimum of 10 years in HR and at least 5 years in leadership roles. Responsibilities include overseeing compliance with labor laws, managing employee relations, and implementing effective HR strategies. Strong skills in recruitment, change management, and HR technology are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years HR experience with 5 years in leadership.
• Deep understanding of SA labor laws and global HR standards.
• Professional HR certifications are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Promote fair workplace policies and adherence to labor laws.
• Oversee talent acquisition and employee performance management.
• Ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

Skills

Advanced skills in recruitment

Employee relations management

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR Management or related field

Advanced qualifications (MBA or Master's in HR)

Tools

HRIS systems

Data analytics

Job description

Minimum Requirements

1. Grade 12
2. Bachelor's degree in HR Management, Industrial Psychology, or a related field
3. Minimum of 10 years HR, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles
4. Advanced qualifications (ie MBA, Master's in HR) are highly desirable
5. Professional HR certifications (ie SABPP, SHRM, CIPD) are advantageous
6. Deep understanding of SA labor laws (ie BCEA, LRA, EE Act) and global HR standards
7. Advanced skills in recruitment, retention and succession planning
8. Proficiency in managing complex employee relations cases
9. Experience in labor dispute resolution and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements
10. Expertise in change management and driving cultural transformation
11. Experience from the food processing industry, agricultural or manufacturing industries preferred
12. Proficient in HRIS systems and data analytics for informed decision-making
13. Experience in implementing digital HR solutions and process automation

Duties and Responsibilities

Human Resources Leadership

• Promote fair workplace policies and equal opportunities.
• Using the new HRIS to track HR analytics, including absenteeism trends, employee survey results, and performance review data to support informed decision-making.
• Oversee talent acquisition, onboarding, performance management, and retention strategies.
• Foster a positive work environment and resolve conflicts.
• Ensure adherence to labor laws.
• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with business growth and transformation.
• Provide leadership and development for the HR team while working collaboratively with department heads.

Timekeeping & Payroll Management

• Ensure accurate time and attendance monitoring and policy enforcement.
• Oversee payroll accuracy, SARS/UIF/SDL compliance, and Remcom inputs for salary structures.
• Coordinate salary reviews and manage payroll-related audit trails and governance.
• Implement and manage performance management processes to ensure fair and competitive salary and benefits structures are in place.

Environmental Compliance

• Oversee and ensure compliance with environmental laws including NEMA, Air and Water Acts, and Waste Management.
• Ensure implementation of ISO-aligned systems and environmental risk management frameworks.
• Monitor environmental impact, implement corrective actions, and manage reporting to external regulatory authorities.

Strategic Executive Leadership (EXCO Participation)

• Serve as a full member of the Executive Committee, contributing to the strategic direction, sustainability, and ethical performance of the Company.
• Support business transformation, mergers, expansion, and change management strategies through proactive people and compliance leadership.
• Collaborate with other EXCO members to evaluate and mitigate operational, people, safety, environmental, and reputational risks.
• Provide expert insights and recommendations to the EXCO on HR, culture, talent, labour compliance, organisational structure, OHS, and ESG risks.

Occupational Health & Safety (OHS)

• Oversee the annual review and certification of workplace safety systems and rational fire plans.
• Lead the Company's Emergency Preparedness Program and oversee PPE, risk assessments, and training effectiveness.
• Ensure legal compliance with OHSA through systems, policies, incident investigations, audits, and corrective actions.

Corporate Ethical Governance

• Ensure annual policy reviews, code of conduct compliance, and governance audits.
• Champion and manage the company-wide Ethics & Compliance Framework in line with SEDEX, POPIA, and local/international laws.
• Oversee ethics training, awareness, and whistle‑blowing mechanisms.

Behavioural Competencies

• Actively fosters innovation and continuous improvement within the HR function, challenging the status quo to support organisational agility and growth.
• Demonstrates unwavering integrity, ethical conduct, and professionalism in all interactions, serving as a role model for the broader organisation.
• Exhibits high emotional intelligence with strong self‑awareness, empathy, and interpersonal sensitivity, especially in handling complex people dynamics.
• Remains calm and composed under pressure, showing resilience and adaptability in challenging or uncertain environments.
• Makes sound, forward‑thinking decisions that align with long‑term business strategy, balancing risk, compliance, and people impact.
• Communicates clearly and credibly at all levels, including executive and board level, and is skilled in high‑stakes negotiations and strategic presentations.

Technical Competencies

• Proficient in applying corporate governance principles, risk management practices, and ethical compliance frameworks to ensure a responsible and accountable HR function.
• Skilled in managing labor relations, including union engagement, dispute resolution, and disciplinary processes with a focus on maintaining a fair, stable and productive work environment.
• Familiar with diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks and able to implement initiatives that promote fairness, belonging, and inclusive workplace practices.
• Knowledgeable in developing compensation and benefits strategies that are fair, market‑aligned, and support employee retention and motivation.