HR Manager

Virago Recruitment; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Virago Recruitment is assisting a well-established Pretoria-based law firm to appoint an experienced HR Manager who can lead the full HR function with discretion and professionalism.

You will oversee onboarding, payroll, LPC registrations, Board Exam processes for Candidate Attorneys, performance management, and HR documentation while ensuring BCEA compliance and confidential employee relations.

Qualifications

• Relevant HR qualification.
• Minimum 5 years' HR experience.
• Experience in a legal practice or auditing firm.
• Practical knowledge of South African labour legislation, BCEA.
• Payroll administration experience.
• LPC Candidate Attorney registrations and Board Exam processes.
• Strong performance management and employee relations.
• Knowledge of B-BBEE requirements.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to deal with highly confidential and sensitive matters with discretion.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and own the full HR function.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full HR function from onboarding through to employee exits.
• Coordinate and conduct onboarding, inductions and orientation.
• Manage LPC Candidate Attorney registrations with the Legal Practice Council (LPC) and related administrative requirements.
• Coordinate and manage Board Exam registrations and processes for Candidate Attorneys.
• Manage the full payroll function, including monthly payroll and temporary employee calculations.
• Manage employee terminations, resignations and exit interviews.
• Oversee performance management processes, including probation reviews and evaluations.
• Draft and maintain employment contracts, offer letters, amendments and other HR documentation.
• Ensure compliance with labour legislation, including BCEA.
• Manage leave administration and leave records.
• Handle sensitive employee relations matters with discretion.
• Assist with and manage B-BBEE compliance and related HR requirements.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records and HR documentation.
• Provide guidance to management and employees on HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure HR policies and procedures are consistently applied across the practice.
• Assist with disciplinary processes and other employee relations matters.

Skills

HR knowledge

Attention to detail

Confidential handling

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

HR qualification

Job description

HR MANAGER – LEGAL FIRM

Location: Pretoria, Gauteng

Start Date: 1 November 2026

Industry: Legal

A well-established legal firm in Pretoria is seeking an experienced and hands-on HR Manager to take responsibility for the full HR function of the practice. The successful candidate will have strong HR knowledge, excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage sensitive and confidential employee matters professionally.

Experience within a legal practice or auditing firm is non - negotiable , with a strong understanding of the professional-services environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full HR function from onboarding through to employee exits.

• Coordinate and conduct employee onboarding, inductions and orientation.

• Manage Candidate Attorney registrations with the Legal Practice Council (LPC) and related administrative requirements.

• Coordinate and manage Board Exam registrations and processes for Candidate Attorneys.

• Manage the full payroll function, including monthly payroll and temporary employee calculations.

• Manage employee terminations, resignations and exit interviews.

• Oversee performance management processes, including probation reviews and performance evaluations.

• Draft and maintain employment contracts, offer letters, amendments and other HR documentation.

• Ensure compliance with applicable labour legislation, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA).

• Manage leave administration and leave records.

• Handle sensitive employee relations matters, grievances and other confidential HR issues with discretion and professionalism.

• Assist with and manage B-BBEE compliance and related HR requirements.

• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records and HR documentation.

• Provide guidance to management and employees on HR policies, procedures and employment-related matters.

• Ensure HR policies and procedures are consistently applied across the practice.

• Assist with disciplinary processes and other employee relations matters where required.

Requirements

• Relevant HR qualification.

• Minimum 5 years' HR experience.

• Previous experience within a law firm or auditing firm will be highly advantageous.

• Practical knowledge of South African labour legislation, particularly the BCEA.

• Experience with payroll administration and temporary employee calculations.

• Working knowledge of LPC Candidate Attorney registrations and Board Exam processes.

• Strong understanding of performance management, probation and employee relations.

• Experience drafting employment contracts and HR documentation.

• Knowledge of B-BBEE requirements.

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

• Ability to deal with highly confidential and sensitive matters with discretion.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently and take ownership of the full HR function.