People Services Specialist

dentsu; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Dentsu in Cape Town is seeking a capable People Services Administrator to deliver accurate HR operations across the employee lifecycle. You will handle Workday transactions, maintain data quality, prepare contracts and documentation, and respond to employee queries with a focus on service excellence.

Your work will support payroll data, governance, and reporting, ensuring compliance with South African legislation and company policies.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Human Resources, Human Resources Management, Business Administration or a related field.
• Extensive experience of working with Workday is preferred.
• Experience with HRIS and maintaining accurate employee data.

Responsibilities

• Process employee lifecycle transactions accurately and timely in Workday and related systems.
• Process new hires, changes and terminations; support promotions, transfers and secondments.
• Prepare and process employment contracts and documentation; maintain organisational structures.
• Handle routine People Services queries and escalate complex matters.
• Support payroll data, data reconciliation, and governance reporting.
• Maintain data quality and ensure compliance with policies and legislation.

Skills

Workday experience

HR administration

Attention to detail

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Time management

Data privacy

Microsoft Excel

Education

HR/HRM/BA degree

Tools

Workday

Excel

Outlook

Teams

Job description

Responsible for delivering efficient and accurate People Services support across the employee lifecycle, ensuring employee data, Workday transactions and People processes are completed accurately, timely and in line with dentsu policies, governance requirements and local legislation. The role supports employees, managers and People teams across a range of HR operational activities, while maintaining high standards of data quality, service delivery and employee experience.

Job Description

Key responsibilities

• Workday & Employee Lifecycle
• Process employee lifecycle transactions accurately and within agreed timelines in Workday and related People systems.
• Process new hires, employee changes and terminations.
• Support promotions, demotions, transfers and secondments.
• Process salary and other employee data changes following the required approvals.
• Prepare and process employment contracts and relevant employee documentation.
• Maintain organisational and team structure changes within the relevant systems.
• Support probation processes and associated employee documentation.
• Ensure employee records and personal data are accurate and maintained throughout the employee lifecycle.
• People Services Administration & Employee Support
• Act as a first point of contact for routine People Services queries from employees and managers.
• Manage employee enquiries and ensure queries are resolved accurately and within agreed service levels.
• Prepare standard employee documentation, letters and confirmations as required.
• Support absence management and family leave administration.
• Support offboarding administration, including voluntary and involuntary terminations and retirement processes.
• Maintain People Services knowledge content, process information and employee guidance materials.
• Escalate complex or sensitive matters to the appropriate People team member.

Payroll & Reward Support

• Prepare and provide accurate employee changes and payroll-related information for payroll processing.
• Support payroll data review and reconciliation activities to ensure Workday and payroll information is aligned.
• Process approved salary changes and associated documentation.
• Support annual salary review activities, including preparation of salary increase letters where required.
• Liaise with Payroll and relevant People stakeholders to resolve employee data discrepancies.
• Data Management, Reporting & Quality Assurance
• Conduct regular employee data-quality reviews and resolve identified discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate organisational and employee data within Workday.
• Prepare standard People Services reports and data extracts as required.
• Support governance reporting and data-accuracy analysis.
• Perform quality assurance checks on People transactions and documentation.
• Maintain accurate records and supporting documentation in accordance with data privacy, retention and governance requirements.

Governance, Process

• Ensure People Services activities comply with dentsu policies, processes, approval requirements and applicable legislation.
• Maintain and update People Services process documentation and standard operating procedures.
• Support governance activities, controls and audits.
• Participate in regular People Services operational and governance meetings.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardise and improve People Services processes.
• Support testing and implementation of new or updated People processes and Workday functionality.

Stakeholder Management & Service Delivery

• Build effective working relationships with employees, managers, Payroll, People Business Partners and other internal stakeholders.
• Follow up with stakeholders to ensure outstanding People transactions and documentation are completed.
• Support effective resolution and escalation of operational People matters.
• Provide additional support during peak periods, projects and high-volume employee lifecycle activities.
• Contribute to service continuity and knowledge sharing across the People Services team.

Key Areas Of Responsibilities

• Accurate and timely processing of employee lifecycle transactions.
• High levels of employee data accuracy and integrity in Workday.
• Timely resolution of employee and manager People Services queries.
• Accurate preparation and maintenance of employee documentation.
• Effective payroll input, data review and reconciliation support.
• Compliance with People policies, governance requirements and applicable legislation.
• Consistent delivery against agreed People Services standards and timelines.
• Effective stakeholder management and employee experience.
• Accurate reporting, documentation and audit support.
• Continuous improvement and standardisation of People Services processes.

Skills & Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Human Resources, Human Resources Management, Business Administration or a related field.
• Extensive experience of working with Workday.
• Approximately 2–4 years' experience in HR administration, HR operations, People Services or a similar environment.
• Experience working with an HRIS; Workday experience would be highly advantageous.
• Good understanding of employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, employee changes, transfers and exits.
• Working knowledge of South African employment legislation and HR administration requirements.
• Strong attention to detail with a high level of accuracy when working with employee data.
• Good organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple transactions and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and customer-service orientation.
• Ability to handle confidential employee information with appropriate discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook and Teams.

Location

Cape Town

Brand

Dentsu

Time Type

Full time

Contract Type

Permanent