Senior Human Resource Business Partner

Palesa Mbali Group; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading HR consultancy in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Senior Human Resources Business Partner. This role involves translating strategies into actionable human capital solutions while partnering with business leaders. The ideal candidate has 10+ years of HR experience, strong change leadership skills, and an honours degree in HR management. This position offers a dynamic, fast-paced environment focused on impactful change and employee engagement.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Human Resources, with a strong generalist background.
• Proven experience at senior level.
• Track record of leading transformation and change management.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders to align human capital strategies with business objectives.
• Drive and support organisational change initiatives.
• Manage and report on allocated budget and resource use.

Skills

Employee relations skills

Change leadership

Talent management

Strategic thinking

Education

Honours Degree in Human Resource Management

Master's Degree in HR, Business, or related field

Job description

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Human Resources Business Partner will be responsible for translating group and functional strategy into actionable human capital solutions. This includes partnering with business leaders to ensure that people-related strategies and practices support organisational goals, and driving impactful change through the full human capital value chain.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

• Partner with functional and business leaders to ensure human capital strategies align with business objectives.
• Integrate broader HC strategy into function-specific plans and operations.
• Act as a trusted advisor to executives and senior stakeholders on people-related matters.

HC Delivery and Team Leadership

Lead and manage an internal HR team to ensure timely and effective delivery of people solutions.

Drive employee engagement initiatives and promote a values-based work culture.

Champion a high-performance environment and culture of accountability.

Change Management

Drive and support organisational change initiatives.

Manage transformation and organisational development interventions.

Support the business through periods of change, ensuring strong communication and cultural alignment.

Human Capital Operations

Oversee and improve HC service delivery processes across the employee lifecycle.

Collaborate with other functional areas to align HC initiatives with operational needs.

Ensure adherence to internal standards and external compliance requirements.

Ad-Hoc Responsibilities

Stay current with HR industry developments, legislative changes, and best practices.

Contribute to continuous improvement in human capital systems and processes.

Represent HR in cross-functional discussions to align people practices with organisational priorities.

Develop and maintain HC-related governance, policies, and documentation.

Compliance and Risk

Ensure legal, statutory, and regulatory compliance in all HR practices.

Implement operational risk controls and governance structures for HC processes.

Contribute to corporate citizenship and diversity objectives within the company.

Financial and Operational Oversight

Manage and report on allocated budget and resource use.

Provide input into annual business planning for the HC function.

Implement HC operational plans that support business quality and performance objectives.

Experience and Qualifications

Minimum 10 years of experience in Human Resources, with a strong generalist background.

Proven experience at senior level.

Track record of leading transformation, change management, and executive-level partnering.

Proven track record of leading teams (of HRBP`s)

Honours Degree in Human Resource Management or related discipline (required)

Master's Degree in HR, Business, or related field (advantageous)

Professional registration with SABPP or equivalent (preferred)

Knowledge and Competencies

Deep understanding of HR strategy, employee relations, and compliance.

Knowledge of HR systems and workforce planning frameworks.

Skilled in change leadership, talent management, and organisational design.

Strong business acumen, communication, and executive writing skills.

Ability to influence at all levels and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Personal Attributes

Strong ownership mindset and decision-making ability

High credibility and integrity in managing confidential and sensitive matters

Collaborative, strategic thinker with a people-first approach

Comfortable operating in fast-paced, change-driven environments