HR & IR Manager

Pillangó Placements; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 614,000 - 725,000; Full time

Job summary

Pillangó Placements is seeking a seasoned HR/IR leader to head the HR and IR function in South Africa. You will lead a team of HR and IR professionals, shaping strategy, policies and employee relations across the organisation.

The role requires hands-on IR experience, strong SA labour law knowledge, and a track record of advising executive management on workforce planning and organisational development. A strategic but practical approach to change management is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Industrial Psychology, Labour Law or related field.
• 5–8 years' HR experience, including hands-on IR experience.
• 2–3 years' management experience leading HR/IR professionals.
• Experience handling disciplinary hearings, grievances, CCMA cases and arbitrations.
• Strong knowledge of SA labour legislation and HR compliance requirements.
• Broad HR generalist experience balancing strategic and operational tasks.
• Experience advising executive management.
• Sound negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Excellent communication and emotional intelligence; able to interact with all levels.
• High integrity, discretion and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HR and IR function, managing a team of HR and IR professionals.
• Develop and implement HR strategies, policies and procedures aligned with business objectives.
• Advise executive management on workforce planning, organisational development and people-related matters.
• Manage complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary processes, grievances, disputes and misconduct investigations.
• Represent the organisation at CCMA conciliations and arbitrations.
• Ensure compliance with SA labour legislation, including the LRA, BCEA, EEA and relevant employment laws.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, talent retention and succession planning.
• Drive performance management, employee development and training initiatives.
• Oversee remuneration structures, employee benefits, HR administration and payroll inputs.
• Guide line managers on labour law, disciplinary procedures and effective people management.
• Support organisational change, restructuring and continuous improvement of HR processes.

Skills

5–8 years HR experience

2–3 years management experience

Disciplinary hearings and CCMA cases

Labour legislation knowledge

HR generalist experience

Executive management advisory

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Emotional intelligence

Integrity and discretion

HR certifications (SABPP or others)

Change management experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources / Industrial Psychology / Labour Law

Postgraduate qualification in HR or business-related field (nice to have)

Job description

What you'll be doing

• Lead the HR and IR function, managing a team of HR and IR professionals.
• Develop and implement HR strategies, policies and procedures aligned with business objectives.
• Advise executive management on workforce planning, organisational development and people-related matters.
• Manage complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary processes, grievances, disputes and misconduct investigations.
• Represent the organisation at CCMA conciliations and arbitrations.
• Ensure compliance with South African labour legislation, including the LRA, BCEA, EEA and relevant employment laws.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, talent retention and succession planning.
• Drive performance management, employee development and training initiatives.
• Oversee remuneration structures, employee benefits, HR administration and payroll inputs.
• Guide line managers on labour law, disciplinary procedures and effective people management.
• Support organisational change, restructuring and continuous improvement of HR processes.

What you'll need

• A Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, Labour Law or a related field.
• 5–8 years' HR experience, including substantial hands‑on Industrial Relations experience.
• 2–3 years' management experience, including leading HR/IR professionals.
• Proven experience handling disciplinary hearings, grievances, CCMA cases and arbitrations.
• Strong working knowledge of South African labour legislation and HR compliance requirements.
• Broad HR generalist experience, with the ability to balance strategic and operational responsibilities.
• Experience advising and working closely with executive management.
• Sound commercial judgement, negotiation and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Excellent communication skills, emotional intelligence and the confidence to deal with people at all levels.
• High levels of integrity, discretion and attention to detail.

Nice to have

• Experience in an industrial or similar operational environment.
• A postgraduate qualification in HR or a business-related field.
• Professional registration with SABPP or additional HR/IR certifications.
• Experience managing organisational change and restructuring.

Salary

the proposed salary for the role is R55k - R65k CTC per month - the final offer will depend on qualifications, experience and skills.