Head Of Hr – South Africa

Swissport; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a strategic Head of HR to lead their South African HR function. This pivotal role involves designing and executing the national HR agenda, fostering a culture of engagement, and driving organizational transformation. You'll collaborate with senior leadership to align HR strategies with business goals, manage talent development, and ensure compliance with local labor laws. Join a dynamic team where your contributions will have a significant impact on shaping the future of HR in a global aviation brand. If you are passionate about talent development and strategic HR leadership, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Leadership role in a global brand

Access to learning and development programs

Inclusive and performance-driven culture

Competitive compensation and benefits package

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of HR experience with 5 years in a senior role.
• Strong industrial relations and change management expertise.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute HR action plans aligned with business goals.
• Lead talent management and performance processes.
• Ensure compliant HR operations and manage labor relations.

Skills

HR Strategy Development

Talent Management

Organizational Change Management

Labor Relations

Compliance with Labor Laws

Financial Literacy

Strategic Thinking

Communication Skills

Leadership Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources

CIPD qualification or equivalent

Job description

At Swissport, we are passionate about delivering best-in-class aviation services across the globe.

With a strong presence in South Africa, we're committed to operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and people-driven performance.

As part of our continued growth and transformation journey, we're seeking a strategic and dynamic Head of HR to lead our South African HR function into the future.

About the Role

The Head of HR – South Africa is a strategic leadership role responsible for designing and executing the national HR agenda aligned with both business goals and regional HR strategy.

You'll work closely with the Country Managing Director and the Regional HR Head to lead organizational transformation, develop high-performing teams, and foster a culture of engagement, accountability, and growth.

Responsibilities

1. HR Strategy & Business Partnership
   Develop and execute the country HR action plan and annual HR budget in alignment with business priorities.
   Participate in country business reviews, providing strategic HR insights and performance analysis (e.g., turnover, engagement, retention, productivity).
   Benchmark HR practices, anticipate future workforce needs, and proactively address people-related challenges.
2. Talent Management & Development
   Lead succession planning, talent identification, and leadership development efforts.
   Drive performance management processes and support leadership to set high standards of delivery and accountability.
   Champion the Employer Value Proposition (EVP) and talent engagement initiatives.
3. Organizational Change & HR Transformation
   Support core transformation initiatives and manage change in collaboration with local and regional leadership.
   Act as a culture champion, helping to align people practices with business strategy during transitions.
4. HR Operations & Compliance
   Ensure compliant and efficient HR operations, policies, and processes, in line with Swissport standards and local labor laws.
   Lead labor/industrial relations including union engagement and negotiations.
   Oversee compensation and benefits frameworks to ensure internal equity and market competitiveness.
   Lead, develop, and mentor the country HR team to ensure high-impact delivery and team engagement.
   Collaborate with Centers of Excellence (CoEs) for systems implementation, recruitment, L&D, and communications.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
2. A CIPD qualification or equivalent is required.
3. Minimum 7–10 years of HR experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership/managerial capacity.
4. Strong experience in industrial/labor relations, including collective bargaining and working with works councils or unions.
5. Proven track record of driving HR transformation and organizational change.
6. In-depth knowledge of South African labor law, HR compliance, and best practices.
7. Excellent command of English; additional languages are a plus.
8. Financial literacy with the ability to analyze and interpret HR budgets and financial reports.
9. Strategic thinking and ability to align HR with business direction.
10. Confident decision-making, stakeholder influence, and advisory capability.
11. Change management expertise in complex, matrixed environments.
12. Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
13. Passion for talent development, coaching, and team building.
14. High integrity, resilience, and a results-oriented mindset.

What We Offer

1. A key leadership role in a global aviation brand.
2. The opportunity to shape and lead HR transformation in South Africa.
3. An inclusive and performance-driven culture.
4. Access to regional and global learning and development programs.
5. Competitive compensation and benefits package.

How to Apply

If you're ready to take on a pivotal HR leadership role that combines strategic impact, transformation, and talent development— we'd love to hear from you.

Please apply directly through LinkedIn.

Closing Date

15th April

Swissport as an equal opportunity employer bases its hiring decisions on the business need and the best qualified candidates available and does not discriminate in its employment decision on the basis of any protected category.

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Human Resources
Industries: Airlines and Aviation