Senior Industrial Relations Leader - Construction Projects

Stefanutti Stocks Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Stefanutti Stocks Inland seeks an experienced Senior Industrial Relations Officer to join the project team on a large-scale construction project in Gauteng. The role requires leading IR guidance, disciplinary actions, and stakeholder engagement with a focus on fair policies and strong employee relations.

You will manage complex IR cases, coordinate CCMA/Bargaining Council matters, and support unions while ensuring compliance with SA labour legislation.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 / Matric.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in HR Management, Industrial Relations, Labour Relations or a related field (essential).
• Minimum 7 years' relevant Industrial Relations / Employee Relations experience.
• Strong preference for candidates with experience within construction, engineering, infrastructure, mining or project environments.
• Proven experience in managing complex disciplinary and grievance matters.
• Strong practical knowledge of South African labour legislation and sound IR practices.
• Proven experience in conducting and/or representing the employer in disciplinary hearings.
• Experience in the preparation and management of CCMA and/or Bargaining Council matters.
• Experience in union engagement, collective bargaining and workforce consultation.
• Experience dealing with industrial action, workplace conflict and employee grievances.
• Strong report writing, investigation and case management skills.
• Computer literate, with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure, site-based environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional IR guidance and support to project management, line management and HR.
• Ensure consistent and fair application of company policies, procedures and disciplinary standards.
• Advise management on disciplinary, grievance, incapacity, absenteeism and misconduct matters.
• Manage complex employee relations cases from investigation through to conclusion.
• Support the maintenance of positive and constructive employee relations across the project.
• Identify potential IR risks and recommend appropriate preventative or corrective interventions.
• Conduct and coordinate investigations into alleged misconduct.
• Draft and review notices, allegations, disciplinary documentation and supporting evidence.
• Initiate and/or represent the employer in disciplinary hearings.
• Coordinate and support grievance procedures.
• Provide guidance to management on appropriate disciplinary action and procedural requirements.
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate IR case files and registers.
• Monitor disciplinary and grievance trends and recommend interventions where recurring issues are identified.
• Prepare documentation and supporting evidence for external dispute resolution processes.
• Liaise with management, witnesses and relevant stakeholders in preparation for cases.
• Represent or support the company in conciliation and arbitration proceedings, where appropriately authorised.
• Maintain accurate records of referrals, outcomes, settlements and awards.
• Monitor compliance with settlement agreements and arbitration outcomes.
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with recognised employee representatives and trade unions.
• Participate in union and employee representative meetings.
• Assist with collective bargaining and consultation processes where applicable.
• Address workforce concerns proactively and professionally.
• Facilitate communication between management and employee representatives.
• Support the management of shop steward activities and workplace representation structures.
• Assist management with the prevention and resolution of workplace conflict.
• Monitor the employee relations climate and identify potential areas of concern.
• Assist management with appropriate responses to threatened or actual industrial action.
• Support project management in maintaining workplace stability and continuity.
• Facilitate communication and engagement during periods of heightened employee relations risk.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation relating to industrial action or workforce disputes.
• Escalate significant IR risks to project and HR leadership.
• Monitor compliance with company IR policies, procedures, collective agreements and applicable employment requirements.
• Maintain disciplinary, grievance, dispute and employee relations registers.
• Compile weekly and monthly IR reports and statistics.
• Analyze trends relating to absenteeism, misconduct, grievances, disputes and other employee relations indicators.
• Provide management with practical IR recommendations based on identified trends and risks.
• Ensure IR documentation is properly maintained and available for internal or external audits.
• Conduct IR awareness sessions and training for supervisors and line management where required.

Skills

IR guidance & support

Disciplinary & grievance handling

Communication

Report writing

Education

Grade 12 / Matric

HR/IR/Labour Relations qualification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

Stefanutti Stocks Inland seeks an experienced Senior Industrial Relations Officer to join the project team on a large-scale construction project in Gauteng. The role requires leading IR guidance, disciplinary actions, and stakeholder engagement with a focus on fair policies and strong employee relations.

You will manage complex IR cases, coordinate CCMA/Bargaining Council matters, and support unions while ensuring compliance with SA labour legislation.