Strategic Employee Relations & Compliance Leader

Core; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Core is seeking an Employee Relations Manager to oversee ER/IR matters across the group from our Johannesburg offices. You will guide HR teams and line managers on disciplinary, grievance, and compliance processes while liaising with CCMA on disputes and hearings.

This role requires deep knowledge of South African labour law and strategic ER leadership. The position involves risk management, policy drafting, and proactive reporting across multiple entities, with occasional international exposure

Qualifications

• Degree in Labour Law, Labour Relations, Human Resources, or LLB.
• 7–10 years of dedicated employee/industrial relations experience with CCMA exposure.
• Proven track record of representing an employer at CCMA proceedings.
• In-depth knowledge of South African labour legislation.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and preparing for disciplinary hearings.

Responsibilities

• Represent the company at CCMA conciliation and arbitration proceedings, preparing documentation, witness statements, and legal arguments.
• Manage all aspects of dispute resolution including unfair dismissal and unfair labour practice disputes.
• Prepare and present cases at arbitration hearings with bundles, chronologies, and witness coaching.
• Track and report on CCMA matters with updates on status, costs, and trends.
• Oversee and advise on all disciplinary processes ensuring fairness per LRA and company policy.
• Advise on disciplinary hearings for serious and complex matters.
• Manage end-to-end grievance procedure with timely investigation and resolution.
• Maintain accurate records of disciplinary and grievance proceedings.
• Draft, review, and update ER policies and codes to reflect changes.
• Monitor legislative developments and inform HR leadership and management.
• Support Employment Equity compliance where it intersects with ER.

Skills

CCMA arbitration

Disciplinary hearings

Labour relations

Workplace investigations

Advisory to HR/business partners

Policy drafting

Data reporting

Education

Degree in Labour Law / Labour Relations / HR / LLB

Job description

Core is seeking an Employee Relations Manager to oversee ER/IR matters across the group from our Johannesburg offices. You will guide HR teams and line managers on disciplinary, grievance, and compliance processes while liaising with CCMA on disputes and hearings.

This role requires deep knowledge of South African labour law and strategic ER leadership. The position involves risk management, policy drafting, and proactive reporting across multiple entities, with occasional international exposure