Hr Business Partner - Shared Services

Guardian Recruiting; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A global consulting firm is seeking an HR Business Partner to support their South African operations. This role involves developing HR policies, engaging with employees, and ensuring compliance with local regulations. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources and at least 5 years of HR experience. Strong knowledge of South African labour legislation is essential, with experience in U.S. practices as a plus. The position requires excellent communication and strategic thinking skills for cross-office alignment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive HR experience in a dynamic environment.
• In-depth understanding of South African labour legislation.
• Experience with U.S. employment practices is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement HR policies and compliance programs.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives and support HR audits.
• Act as primary HR liaison between South Africa and the U.S.

Skills

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical abilities

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving capability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management or related field

Job description

Position Overview

TheHR Business Partner Shared Services plays a key role in shaping and executing the Groups people strategy across our South African operations and global teams. This role blends strategic HR approach with operational excellence, ensuring our HR frameworks foster organizational success, compliance, and a positive employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

HR Policy and Compliance, Employee Engagement and Morale, Employment Equity (EE), Compensation and Benefits, Offer generation, onboarding, and induction.

HR Policy, Compliance and Operations: Develop, implement, and continuously improve HR policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aligned with company objectives. Ensure all HR frameworks and programs reflect the company’s values and support strategic priorities. Ensure compliance with local labour laws, health and safety regulations, and ethical industry standards. Partner with senior leadership to drive group-wide HR initiatives. Maintain accurate HR documentation, benefits data, and employee records. Support payroll and benefits administration. Provide administrative oversight for office management. Effectively communicate policy updates across all levels. Address and resolve people-related matters with balanced, commercially pragmatic solutions. Lead regular HR audits and compliance reviews.

Employee Engagement and Morale: Partner with leaders to build a positive, high-performance culture that supports engagement, retention, and growth. Lead offer generation, employee onboarding, induction, and orientation programs. Provide HR advisory support on employee relations, performance management, and workforce planning. Provide business-focused and best practice HR support to designated areas of the business. Function as the central HR liaison for employees. Monitor local staffing metrics including headcount, turnover, and attrition.

Performance Management

You will also act as the primary HR liaison between South Africa and the United States, promoting cross-office alignment and a unified company culture.

Strategic HR Business Partnering

Serve as the HR Business Partner and key conduit between the Groups South African and U.S. teams, driving and ensuring alignment, collaboration, and consistency across local and global HR policies, processes, and initiatives. Support cross-border HR initiatives, including policy harmonization and engagement strategies. Provide strategic guidance to management on HR matters, including conflict resolution, disciplinary processes, and employee development initiatives.

Employment Equity (EE) Planning and Implementation

Coordinate the development, submission, and monitoring of the company’s Employment Equity Plan (EEP). Support the development and implementation of EE plans, targets, and progress reporting in line with South African legislation and the Groups commitment. Conduct comprehensive workforce analyses to identify underrepresentation and barriers to equity. Provide input into strategies that drive, attract, retain, and develop diverse talent across all levels of the organization. Ensure compliance with all EE legislation. Track, analyse, and report on EE data related to recruitment, promotions, training, and terminations to evaluate progress against defined targets. Maintain full compliance with the Employment Equity Act by preparing for Department of Labour inspections, facilitating audits, and implementing corrective actions where required. Partner with leadership to integrate EE and inclusion objectives into broader HR policies, talent management frameworks, and succession planning processes. Review and recommend updates to EE policies, procedures, and practices to ensure alignment with evolving legislation and organizational goals.

RequirementsEducation

Bachelors degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Psychology, and or a related field.

Experience

Minimum of 5 years of progressive HR experience, with a proven ability to thrive in a hands-on, fast-paced start-up or evolving organizational environment.

Knowledge

In-depth understanding of South African labour legislation (BCEA, LRA, EE Act, Skills Development Act). Exposure to U.S. employment practices is an advantage.

Skills

Strong communication, interpersonal, and analytical abilities. Proven ability to build trusted partnerships across all levels.

Attributes

Proactive, objective, adaptable, and empathetic with strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capability.

Guardian Recruiting Note

Kindly note that by submitting your application for this career opportunity you agree that Guardian Recruiting may use your application for the purpose of the recruitment and selection of the said position and this information may be shared with the relevant stakeholders in the business.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Should you not have heard back within a two-week period, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.