Human Resources Business Partner

Explora Journeys; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 700 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ultra-luxury cruise company seeks a Human Resources Business Partner to manage the employee lifecycle and deliver strategic HR support for its South African operations. The role involves overseeing HR administration, ensuring compliance with South African legislation, and fostering an engaging employee experience aligned with the brand's luxury ethos. Ideal candidates have at least 7 years of progressive HR experience, particularly in service-driven environments. Strong stakeholder management and exceptional communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years’ progressive HR experience in a generalist or HR Business Partner role.
• Proven experience within a service-driven or contact centre environment.
• In-depth working knowledge of South African labour legislation.
• Experience in ultra-luxury hospitality or premium consumer brands is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full employee lifecycle in Southern Africa.
• Provide expert counsel on complex employee relations matters.
• Manage HR administrative functions including payroll and benefits.
• Curate learning and development initiatives.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

HR metrics

Attention to detail

Commercial acumen

Fluency in English

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human Resources Management

Tools

MS Office

HR information systems

Job description

Where passion meets opportunity

Discover your journey into the extraordinary.

Your Purpose

Explora Journeys is redefining ocean travel through an ultra‑luxury lifestyle philosophy, where understated elegance, emotional intelligence, and intuitive service define every interaction. We are seeking a highly accomplished Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) to support our South African operations and to curate a people experience that mirrors the refinement, discretion, and excellence expected of a global ultra‑luxury brand.

This role goes beyond traditional HR delivery. Working closely with the Director of Human Resources and Geneva HQ, the HRBP will be a strategic advisor to leadership, shaping an employee experience that empowers teams in our international contact centre to provide seamless, personalised service. The role requires deep expertise in South African labour legislation, knowledge of global HR frameworks, and a strong understanding of premium service environments, with a focus on contact centre.

Your Impact

End-to-End HR Stewardship

• Oversee the full employee lifecycle within the EEC across Southern Africa, from talent attraction and onboarding to performance enablement, employee relations, and exits, ensuring all stages are supported by robust HR administration and accurate documentation.
• Provide expert counsel on complex employee relations matters, ensuring outcomes are fair, compliant, discreet, and aligned with the standards of a premium employer, while maintaining thorough case records, reports, and audit-ready files.
• Ensure HR policies, processes, and practices are impeccably maintained, compliant with South African legislation, and seamlessly aligned with global MSC and Explora Journeys Group governance, including version control, policy rollouts, and employee acknowledgements.
• Manage core HR administrative functions such as employee data management, contract administration, role changes, payroll inputs, leave governance, and benefits administration, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and system integrity.
• Maintain HR systems and records to the highest standard, enabling reliable reporting, workforce analytics, and compliance with internal and external audits.

Performance, Reward & Capability Excellence

• Drive a performance philosophy that promotes continuous dialogue, development, and accountability, reinforcing service excellence and leadership maturity.
• Partner on compensation and benefits processes, including benchmarking and incentive design, ensuring competitiveness within the ultra‑luxury hospitality and lifestyle market.
• Curate learning and development initiatives that elevate leadership and employee capability, service mindset, and professional polish across the division.

Strategic People Partnership

• Serve as a key strategic advisor and liaison between local Market and Corporate HR & Corporate BU, ensuring alignment of local people strategies with overall business objectives.
• Serve as a strategic people advisor to the Director of Human Resources and senior leadership, translating business ambition into refined, people‑centric solutions aligned with Explora Journeys’ ultra‑luxury ethos.
• Champion a culture of excellence, accountability, and emotional intelligence, ensuring leaders and teams consistently reflect the brand’s values and service philosophy.
• Act as a catalyst for organisational effectiveness and change, supporting initiatives linked to growth, transformation, and international alignment.

Culture, Engagement & Employee Experience

• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion through thoughtful, authentic initiatives that enhance belonging and trust.
• Design and deliver engagement and wellbeing programmes that support sustainable performance and reflect the expectations of a discerning, high‑calibre workforce.
• Partner with leaders to build highly engaged, values‑driven teams who act as ambassadors of the Explora Journeys brand.

HR Governance, Insights & Compliance

• Ensure absolute integrity, confidentiality, and accuracy of HR systems, records, and employee data.
• Leverage HR analytics to provide meaningful insights, inform strategic decision‑making, and drive continuous refinement of people practices.
• Remain at the forefront of HR best practices, labour legislation, and ultra‑luxury hospitality trends to ensure ongoing relevance and excellence.

Your Journey so far

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years’ progressive HR experience in a generalist or HR Business Partner role.
• Proven experience within a service‑driven or contact centre environment where service quality and brand reputation are paramount.
• Experience within ultra‑luxury hospitality, travel, lifestyle, or premium consumer brands is strongly preferred.
• In‑depth working knowledge of South African labour legislation and HR best practice.
• Exposure to international or matrixed organisations is advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to use HR metrics and insights to influence business outcomes.

Your Essentials

Skills & Competencies

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human Resources Management or a related discipline.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the gravitas to influence senior leaders.
• Strong commercial acumen and an instinctive understanding of brand‑led environments.
• High levels of organisation, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office and HR information systems.
• Ability to operate with composure and precision in a fast‑paced, high‑expectation environment.
• Professional fluency in English; additional languages are an advantage.

Personal Profile

• People‑centric, refined, and results‑oriented.
• Uncompromising integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
• Confident, polished, and credible leadership presence aligned to an ultra‑luxury brand.
• Highly developed listening, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Deep passion for crafting an employee experience that seamlessly mirrors the exceptional guest journey of Explora Journeys.

At Explora Journeys, we are redefining luxury ocean travel — where discovery, well‑being, and a deep respect for the seas come together in harmony. We seek passionate professionals who share our vision of a more immersive, transformative way to discover the world’s most inspiring destinations by sea. Are you ready to turn your passion into something extraordinary? Join us at Explora Journeys, where an ocean of opportunities awaits. Your journey to the Ocean State of Mind starts here.