Project and Change Manager: Group Human Capital

Sanlam; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanlam Limited in South Africa seeks a Project and Change Manager: Group Human Capital to lead end-to-end delivery of HR technology and change programs, embedding new ways of working and realising benefits.

You will partner with executives, manage budgets and governance, and drive adoption across the organisation. The role demands 7–10 years of experience in project, programme or change management within financial services.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years’ experience in project, programme, business transformation, and/or change management.
• Proven track record delivering complex cross-functional initiatives, managing budgets, risks, governance, stakeholders, and change adoption.
• Experience engaging senior stakeholders and operating in matrix environments.
• Experience delivering HR technology projects (e.g. SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, or similar HRIS platforms).
• Financial services, insurance, or digital transformation experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of Human Capital projects and technology-enabled initiatives, ensuring alignment to objectives, governance, timelines, budgets and outcomes.
• Develop and execute integrated project and change plans that drive adoption and benefits realization.
• Manage risks, issues, dependencies, vendors, governance forums and stakeholder decisions throughout the lifecycle.
• Coordinate technology implementations, including testing, data migration, go-live, transition to support and stabilisation.

Skills

Project management

Change management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Masters in Industrial Organisational Psychology

Formal project/change management qualification

Tools

SAP SuccessFactors

Workday

Microsoft 365

Job description

Project and Change Manager: Group Human Capital

• Careers
• Working at Sanlam
• How we recruit
• Join Talent Community

Log-In Job Description Project and Change Manager: Group Human Capital Posting Start Date: 28/10/2026 Job Location: South Africa

Who are we?

Sanlam was established as a life insurance company in South Africa but has since transformed into a diversified financial services group that operates across the African continent, India, Malaysia and selected developed markets, with listings on the Johannesburg, A2X and Namibian Securities Stock exchanges. In 2018 the Group celebrated its centenary as well as 20 years since demutualisation and listing in South Africa and Namibia. Sanlam is one of the largest internationally active insurance groups in the world with a presence in 27 countries and has the biggest non-banking financial services footprint on the African continent.

The Group's four business clusters (Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz and Santam) house the Group's business operations. The Group Office provides strategic direction and support to the four clusters, assisting them in realising their strategies and meeting their business objectives. The Group Office is responsible for governance and for the Group's centralised functions, which include: Group Tecnhnology, Finance, Actuarial, Risk and Balance Sheet Management, Strategy, Human Capital, Brand, Marketing and Corporate Affairs. The Group Office ensures cohesive management across the organisation.

Purpose of the Role

The Project and Change Manager leads the integrated delivery of Human Capital technology and digital enablement projects, and the people side of change, from initiation through to sustainable adoption and close out. The role translates strategic objectives into structured plans, coordinates cross-functional delivery, and ensures that solutions are implemented within agreed scope, time, cost, quality, risk and governance parameters. In parallel, the role assesses organisational impacts, mobilises stakeholders, prepares employees and leaders for change, and embeds new ways of working so that intended business benefits are realised and sustained.

The role delivers system-enabled Human Capital change across the employee lifecycle, working closely with Human Capital Shared Services, the systems and platform teams, implementation partners and Group COE’s. The position operates as the connection point between sponsors, business owners, project teams, enabling functions, vendors and impacted stakeholders. It applies appropriate project management disciplines and structured change management methodologies, adjusting the approach to the scale, complexity, risk and readiness requirements of each initiative.

Role emphasis: This is a delivery-led role with embedded change accountability. The incumbent is accountable for end-to-end project delivery and for ensuring that structured change management is planned, coordinated and evidenced. The role does not assume accountability for solution architecture, system configuration, technical build, or the design of Human Capital policy and process content, which remain with the relevant specialist and business owners.

What will make your successful

Key Responsibilities

Project, Change & Technology Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of Human Capital projects and technology-enabled initiatives, ensuring alignment to business objectives, governance requirements, timelines, budgets, and expected outcomes.
• Develop and execute integrated project and change plans that drive successful implementation, adoption, and benefit realisation.
• Manage risks, issues, dependencies, vendors, governance forums, and stakeholder decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate technology implementations, including testing, data migration, go-live, transition to support, and post-implementation stabilisation.

Change Leadership & Adoption

• Lead change management activities, including impact assessments, stakeholder engagement, communications, training, readiness, and adoption strategies.
• Enable sponsors, leaders, and managers to drive sustainable behavioural and organisational change.
• Monitor adoption, manage resistance, and implement interventions to maximise business readiness and solution uptake.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

• Build and maintain effective relationships with senior leaders, Human Capital teams, Technology teams, governance bodies, and external partners.
• Facilitate alignment across stakeholders and provide clear, actionable communication on project progress, risks, decisions, and outcomes.

Governance, Benefits Realisation & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure compliance with organisational policies, regulatory requirements, and governance standards.
• Track delivery performance, business benefits, and adoption outcomes, ensuring solutions are embedded into business-as-usual operations.
• Drive continuous improvement through lessons learned, best-practice application, and the enhancement of project and change management capabilities.

Key Relationships

Project Sponsors, Business Owners, Human Capital Leadership and Teams, Technology and Data Teams, Governance Committees, Risk and Assurance Functions, External Vendors and Partners, Change Champions, People Managers, and End Users.

Key Performance Indicators

• Delivery of projects within approved scope, budget, quality, and timelines.
• Achievement of adoption, readiness, and business benefit targets.
• Effective management of governance, risk, compliance, and stakeholder engagement.
• Successful implementation and operational embedding of technology and change initiatives.
• Positive stakeholder satisfaction and sustainable business outcomes.

Qualification and experience

Experience

• 7–10 years’ experience in project, programme, business transformation, and/or change management.
• Proven track record delivering complex cross-functional initiatives, managing budgets, risks, governance, stakeholders, and change adoption.
• Experience engaging senior stakeholders and operating in matrix environments.
• Experience delivering HR technology projects (e.g. SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, or similar HRIS platforms).
• Financial services, insurance, or digital transformation experience advantageous.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in Industrial Organisational / Psychology or equivalent qualification
• Formal project and/or change management qualification.
• PMP, PRINCE2, Agile/Scrum, Prosci, or similar certification advantageous.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong project and change management expertise, including planning, governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and benefits realisation.
• Experience with organisational change, communications, training, readiness, and adoption.
• Excellent stakeholder management, facilitation, communication, and influencing skills.
• Strong business analysis, problem-solving, and delivery capabilities.
• Knowledge of HR processes, HR technology platforms, and technology-enabled transformation.
• Understanding of systems implementation, testing, data migration, and operational handover.
• Knowledge of data privacy, information security, and governance requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and project delivery tools.
• Familiarity with Agile, PMBOK, PRINCE2, process improvement, organisational effectiveness, and AI-enabled solutions is advantageous.

Build a successful career with us

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

The closing date for applications is 04November2026.

Required Behavioural Competencies

Communicates Effectively Manages Complexity Optimises Work Processes Business Insight Ensures Accountability Decision Quality

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.