People Operations Manager

Daniel J. Edelman Holdings; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 850 000; Full time

Job summary

A global communications firm in Johannesburg is looking for a People Operations & Experience Manager to lead HR operations for its Africa business. The role involves managing the full employee lifecycle and ensuring smooth payroll processing and compliance with local laws. Candidates should have over 5 years of HR experience, proficiency in Workday and SAGE, and strong communication skills. This position offers a dynamic and inclusive work environment.

Benefits

Employee training plans

Quarterly staff awards

Benefits management

Qualifications

• 5 years + HR experience with experience in a standalone or generalist role.
• Knowledge of South African labour laws and HR compliance.
• Workday proficiency or similar systems experience.
• Payroll systems experience (SAGE).
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• MS Office and digital collaboration tools proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full end-to-end employee lifecycle, including onboarding and offboarding.
• Oversee documentation such as offer letters and employment contracts.
• Coordinate with IT for onboarding logistics.
• Conduct exit interviews and manage offboarding administration.
• Own and maintain South Africa employment policies.
• Own end-to-end monthly payroll processing for South Africa.
• Ensure compliance with Labour Law, BCEA, and local employment legislation.

Skills

HR experience

Knowledge of South African labour laws

Workday proficiency

Payroll systems experience (SAGE)

Strong communication skills

Organisational skills

MS Office proficiency

Tools

SAGE

Workday

Job description

Edelman is a voice synonymous with trust, reimagining a future where the currency of communication is action. Our culture thrives on three promises: boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum.

At Edelman, we understand diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our company, our clients, and our communities. We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly capable People Operations & Experience Manager to support our Africa business. This role will play a critical part in ensuring the smooth delivery of People Operations, payroll processing, compliance, and employee experience at a local level, while aligning closely with EMEA and global People Ops frameworks.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who thrives in operational ownership, enjoys working across systems and processes, and can balance local requirements with global consistency. The role will act as the local People Operations lead for Africa, owning payroll processing, HR administration, Workday processes, and employee lifecycle activities, while partnering closely with the local People Partner on people initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

People Operations & Employee Lifecycle

• Manage the full end-to-end employee lifecycle, including onboarding, offboarding, contract changes, extensions, and exits

• Oversee documentation including offer letters, employment contracts, benefits additions, and termination letters

• Coordinate with IT and office management for onboarding logistics

• Maintain digital employee files and HR data

• Conduct exit interviews and manage offboarding administration

• Own and maintain South Africa employment policies, contracts, handbooks, and statutory documentation

• Partner with Legal, Finance, and external advisors to ensure compliance

Payroll Processing & Benefits Ownership

• Own end-to-end monthly payroll processing for South Africa.

• Act as key user for the SAGE payroll platform (leave, payroll, reporting)

• Validate monthly payroll submissions, reconcile with Finance

• Review payroll reports, resolve discrepancies, and manage payroll queries.

• Manage relationships with benefit providers (Medical Aid, Pension, etc.)

• Perform benefit and pension reconciliations monthly for payroll processing

• Manage statutory submissions, reconciliations, and year-end processes.

• Administer benefits (transport, gym, meal vouchers, etc.)

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with Labour Law, BCEA, and local employment legislation

• Lead Employment Equity (EE) and manage WSP /ATR submissions

• Lead Health & Safety Committee efforts

• Keep HR policies updated and aligned with regulations

• Partner with People Partner and external counsel for compliance and risk

Workday & HR Systems Ownership

• Serve as the local Workday lead for Africa.

• Own data quality, workflows, security roles, and reporting.

• Partner with the global Workday team on updates and releases.

• Support training and adoption.

Employee Engagement & Culture

• Coordinate employee training plans

• Manage quarterly staff awards and recognition initiatives

• Handle employee queries

• Promote transparency and culture-building efforts (Citizenship)

Requirements

• 5 years + HR experience with experience in a standalone or generalist role

• Knowledge of South African labour laws and HR compliance

• Workday proficiency or similar systems experience

• Payroll systems experience (SAGE)

• Strong communication and organisational skills

• MS Office and digital collaboration tools proficiency

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.