HR Manager - French speaking

Permanent; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in HR management is seeking a dynamic professional to align HR strategies with business objectives across Africa. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree, bilingual skills in English and French, and comprehensive HR experience. Key responsibilities include talent acquisition, employee development, and compliance management, ensuring the HR function drives business success.

Qualifications

• Proven HR management experience in multiple African regions is essential.
• Solid understanding of labor legislation and compliance.
• Experience in structuring HR frameworks and performance management systems.

Responsibilities

• Drive talent acquisition and employee development initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws across targeted regions.
• Manage performance management systems and employee relations.

Skills

Bilingual fluency in English and French

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Strong problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Strategic mindset

Adaptability

Conflict resolution

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration

Tools

Sage People

HR software systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

The role is instrumental in aligning HR strategies with business objectives, with a strong focus on talent acquisition, employee development, compliance and performance management. The successful candidates will have a proven track record in managing HR functions across Western, Central and Eastern Africa.

Duties

• Partner with regional leadership to deliver HR strategies aligned with business plans.
• Manage and implement talent acquisition, onboarding, and workforce planning initiatives.
• Lead employee development and training strategies to close skills gaps and support career growth.
• Drive implementation of a performance management system that encourages a culture of high performance.
• Ensure cohesion in employee relations and maintain compliance with local labour laws across African regions.
• Conduct organisational assessments to identify HR capability gaps and implement targeted improvements.
• Establish, review, and ensure consistent application of HR policies and procedures aligned with company values.
• Oversee compensation and benefits strategies that are fair, competitive, and sustainable.
• Guide and support line managers on HR decisions and serve as a mediator for conflict resolution.
• Maintain full statutory compliance with HR-related legislation and monitor regulatory changes.
• Develop a talent pipeline and lead recruitment processes, including role profiling, interviewing, and placement.
• Collaborate with internal teams to foster employee engagement and cultural alignment.
• Provide reports and insights on workforce trends, risks, and people metrics.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Proven HR management experience across Western, Central, and Eastern Africa (non-negotiable).
• Proficiency in English and French (non-negotiable).
• Experience in building or structuring HR departments and frameworks.
• Solid understanding of regional labour legislation, compliance, and disciplinary procedures.
• Previous experience in the implementation of performance management systems.
• Knowledge of HR technologies, such as Sage People or other HRIS platforms.

Skills

• Bilingual fluency in English and French.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking capabilities.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to operationalise HR plans.
• High adaptability and ability to manage competing priorities across dynamic environments.
• Competence in Microsoft Office and HR software systems.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Ability to lead, influence, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.