Manager - Employee Relations

Bayobab; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital infrastructure company based in Johannesburg is seeking a Manager – Employee Relations to foster positive workplace culture and manage complex employee issues. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years in HR, excellent communication skills, and the ability to navigate diverse cultures. This role involves handling grievances, supporting managers, and ensuring compliance with labor laws.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in Human Resources.
• Worked across diverse culture and geographies.
• High level of confidentiality to lead complex investigations.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships between employees and management.
• Investigate workplace complaints and ensure resolution.
• Manage complex employee relations issues.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Education

4-year bachelor's degree in HR, Legal or Business Administration

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Company Overview

While the position is advertised as being based in Johannesburg, South Africa, we are considering talented candidates for the role from any of our key footprints, including South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, and others.

At Bayobab, we are Lead with Care, Can‑do with Integrity, Collaborate with Agility, Serve with Respect and Act with Inclusion.

Bayobab formerly MTN GlobalConnect is a Pan‑African digital wholesale and infrastructure services company founded in…

Bayobab formerly MTN GlobalConnect manages MTN's international and national major wholesale activities, in addition to offering reliable wholesale and infrastructure solutions for fixed connectivity and wholesale mobility solutions that include international mobile services, Voice, SMS, signalling, roaming and interconnect.

Mission / Core Purpose

The Manager – Employee Relations will foster a positive and productive work environment by building strong relationships between employees and management, ensuring fair and consistent treatment, and aligning employee needs with organisational goals.

Key Performance Areas

• Employee Relations Management: Establish, maintain, and foster good relationships between the company and employees, to boost the wellbeing of employees.
• Serve as the primary point of contact as a Centre of Excellence for employee relations issues, grievances, and conflicts.
• Investigate workplace complaints and concerns, ensuring fair, consistent, and timely resolution.
• Mediate disputes between employees and management or among team members.
• Provide guidance and support to managers on handling employee performance, conduct, and disciplinary issues.
• Consult with line management, providing HR guidance when appropriate.
• Manage and resolve complex employee relations issues.
• Conduct effective, thorough, and objective investigations.
• Respond to employees' queries and manage all aspects of issues across the employee lifecycle such as disciplinaries, grievances, PIP processes, redundancies, and support the HR leadership with relevant projects.
• Maintain in‑depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day‑to‑day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Partner and collaborate with the legal department as needed / required.
• Serve as a liaison between HR, legal, and leadership on employee relations matters.
• Support organisational change management initiatives from an ER perspective.
• Design and deliver training sessions on employee relations topics for managers and employees when required.
• Represent the company at external labour dispute bodies / bargaining councils when required.
• Resignations and Separation: Oversee and advise on the end‑to‑end decentralised separation process and work as a centre of excellence to other operating companies.
• Consolidate the feedback on leavers and exit interviews collective feedback.
• Analyse and review the attrition trends and work alongside HRBPs to implement the retention strategy effectively.
• Policy and Compliance: Ensure all employee relations practices comply with labour laws, regulations, and company policies.
• Develop, implement, and update HR policies and procedures.
• Monitor legal and regulatory changes that impact employee relations.
• Review and provide employee relations related policies guidance and interpretation.
• Manage, monitor and control all company employee's attendance and leave through attendance system and HRIS leave management system (HCM).
• Performance and Engagement: Support initiatives to enhance employee engagement, motivation, and retention.
• Partner with managers to address performance issues constructively.
• Analyse employee relations trends, metrics, and surveys to identify areas for improvement.
• Play consultancy role day‑to‑day performance management guidance to line management (e.g., coaching, counselling, career development, disciplinary actions).
• HR Advisory & Coaching: Coach managers and leaders on effective people management and conflict resolution strategies.
• Analyse trends and metrics in partnership with the HR teams to develop solutions, programmes, and policies.
• Take part of onboarding process effectively in coordination with internal stakeholders.
• Act as HRBP where required and build strong employee experience to improve employee engagement.
• Reporting & Analytics: Maintain records of employee relations cases and ensure confidentiality.
• Prepare reports on employee relations metrics, trends, and recommendations for leadership.
• Track disciplinary actions, terminations, and appeals to identify recurring issues.
• Culture & Engagement Initiatives: Work closely with management and employees to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase engagement, productivity, and retention.
• Promote a positive workplace culture aligned with company values.
• Support programmes related to employee recognition, wellness, and organisational development.
• Support social events agenda and events.
• Other Operations: Ensure proper follow‑up of employees' requests and issues and the reply to their inquiries and complaints on a timely manner (HR helpdesk, emails).
• Record and maintain new employees' files and documents related to Employee Relations.
• Prepare and issue internal communication relating to employee relations matters to share with the organisation, though the scheduled quarterly meetings and whenever there is business need.
• Conduct weekly / monthly meetings with respective business units as required.
• Issue employees letters relevant to Employee Relations.
• Perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Job Requirements

• Education: Minimum 4‑year bachelor's degree in equivalent specialization (HR, Legal or Business Administration).
• Experience: 5+ years' experience in Human Resources.
• Worked across diverse culture and geographies.
• High level of confidentiality to lead complex investigations or high‑risk employee relations cases.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies.
• Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization's hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, compensation practices, and the administrative practices related to those factors.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.