Regional People Business Partner

Lesaka Merchant Division; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic fintech company in South Africa is seeking a Regional People Business Partner to lead HR strategy and drive engagement across their Merchant Division. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of HR experience, with a strong background in business partnering. Responsibilities include aligning people strategies with business objectives, managing employee relations, and leading HR teams. Join a company that values entrepreneurial spirit, integrity, and the ability to make a meaningful impact on communities.

Qualifications

• 8+ years progressive HR experience, with 3+ years in a business partnering role.
• Minimum 2 years managing HR teams or direct reports.
• Strong knowledge of labour legislation and HR best practices.

Responsibilities

• Partner with regional leaders to align people strategies with business objectives.
• Drive talent acquisition to attract and retain top talent.
• Manage employee relations matters with empathy and compliance.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Emotional intelligence

Change management

Analytical mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, or related field

Master’s degree (advantageous)

Job description

🚀 We’re Hiring: Regional People Business Partner | Lesaka Merchant Division

Are you a strategic HR leader who thrives at the intersection of people, performance, and purpose?
Lesaka is looking for a Regional People Business Partner (RPBP) to play a pivotal leadership role within our Merchant Division, partnering closely with regional business leaders to drive impact, engagement, and growth.

This role combines strategic business partnering, operational excellence, and people leadership, making it ideal for an experienced HR professional ready to influence culture, capability, and performance at scale.

📍 Location (Regional Coverage):

• KwaZulu-Natal & Eastern Cape: Durban

Reporting To: Chief People Officer – Merchant
Direct Reports: People Practitioners
Division: Merchant

💼 Why This Role Matters

As a Regional People Business Partner, you will:
✅ Act as a trusted advisor to regional leadership teams
✅ Translate business priorities into people strategies that drive results
✅ Lead and develop a regional HR team to deliver outstanding operational support
✅ Champion culture, engagement, and high performance across the region

🔍 What You’ll Do

✅ Strategic HR Partnership

• Partner with regional leaders to align people strategies with business objectives
• Support organizational design, workforce planning, and change initiatives
• Provide expert advice on talent, performance, and culture

✅ Talent & Capability Development

• Drive talent acquisition to attract and retain top talent
• Lead succession planning, leadership development, and capability building
• Facilitate performance management and embed a culture of continuous feedback

✅ Employee Experience & Engagement

• Champion engagement, wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion initiatives
• Promote a culture of belonging, psychological safety, and accountability
• Manage employee relations matters with empathy, fairness, and compliance

✅ Operational Excellence

• Ensure regional compliance with labour legislation, policies, and procedures
• Oversee HR operations including onboarding, offboarding, and policy implementation
• Use data and insights to continuously improve people outcomes

✅ Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a regional HR team
• Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and foster accountability
• Ensure alignment between regional execution and the broader people strategy

✅ Collaboration & Influence

• Partner with central People teams to ensure consistency and alignment
• Influence stakeholders through strong relationships and data-driven insight
• Represent the region in cross-functional HR initiatives

✅ Qualifications & Experience

✔️ Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, or related field (Master’s advantageous)
✔️ 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including 3+ years in a business partnering role
✔️ Minimum 2 years managing HR teams or direct reports
✔️ Strong knowledge of labour legislation and HR best practices
✔️ Proven experience in business integration, restructuring, and organisational change
✔️ Demonstrated success in building strong organisational culture and employee engagement

🧠 Key Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinking and strong business acumen
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
• High emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity
• Strong change managementtted> capability
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret HR data and trends
• Proven leadership, coaching, and team development skills

💡 Why Lesaka?

We’re not just a fintech company — we’re a movement. At Lesaka, you’ll be part of a team that values:

• Entrepreneurial Spirit
• Integrity
• < reactive>A
• Bias to Action

We empower our people to take ownership and make a meaningful difference in the lives of merchants and communities.
Preference will be made to support EE / AA measures.

🔗 Ready to shape the people agenda and drive real business impact?
Apply now or tag someone who’d be perfect for this role — your leadership could define the future of our Merchant Division.

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