Hr Manager jobs in South Africa

About AltWork:

AltWork is the central HR, recruitment, and operational hub for Kosmas Enterprises, a diversified holding company with subsidiaries including NXG Enterprises (youth wellbeing and mental health services), City Estate Solutions (property management), and strategic investment activities.

Headquartered in Cape Town with operations supporting UK-based businesses, AltWork delivers end-to-end workforce solutions across borders through a dual‑shore operating model.

As we continue to scale through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, we are seeking an experienced HR Manager to lead our people operations, ensuring we maintain operational excellence as we grow.

Role Purpose:

The HR Manager will establish and lead a centralised HR function serving all group entities with employees in both South Africa and the United Kingdom.

This is a senior, hands‑on role combining strategic HR leadership with operational HR delivery.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping organisational culture, developing talent pipelines through our internship and leadership development programmes, and building the HR infrastructure to support our growth ambitions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. HR Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with business objectives across all group entities (AltWork, NXG Enterprises, City Estate Solutions, Kosmas Enterprises)
• Establish and manage centralised HR policies, procedures, and frameworks compliant with South African labour law (BCEA, LRA, EEA) and UK employment regulations
• Lead recruitment processes including job design, candidate sourcing, interviewing, and selection using established platforms (MyInterview, TestDome, Indeed, LinkedIn)
• Oversee employee lifecycle management from onboarding to exit, ensuring consistent experience across all entities
• Manage employee relations, grievance procedures, disciplinary processes, and performance management in accordance with company policies
• Develop and maintain wage banding frameworks and compensation structures benchmarked against market rates
• Ensure POPIA/GDPR compliance for employee data across both jurisdictions
• Partner with external payroll provider (Pilum Financial Services) to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing
• Monitor and report on HR metrics including headcount, turnover, absence rates, and recruitment effectiveness
• Provide strategic HR advice to senior leadership on workforce planning, organisational design, and people‑related decisions

2. Training, Development & Talent Management

• Lead the delivery and continuous improvement of the AltWork Internship Programme, including recruitment, induction, mentoring frameworks, and performance evaluation
• Coordinate and facilitate the AltWork Leadership Development Programme, working with senior management to deliver internal learning sessions and Action Leadership Projects
• Design and deliver comprehensive onboarding programmes ensuring new employees are effectively integrated into company culture and operations
• Develop and maintain the CPD Training Log system, tracking professional development activities across all departments
• Identify training needs and source appropriate learning opportunities (internal sessions, external courses, Udemy, Alison, etc.)
• Organise monthly Learning Lunches with managers and directors as part of ongoing staff development
• Build and maintain relationships with educational institutions to strengthen the talent pipeline
• Manage departmental Learning Libraries ensuring training materials, procedures, and knowledge resources are current and accessible
• Develop succession planning frameworks for key roles across the group

3. Employee Relations & Compliance

• Serve as the primary point of contact for complex employee relations matters, providing guidance to managers on performance issues, disciplinary procedures and conflict resolution
• Conduct investigations into workplace complaints and grievances, ensuring fair and consistent outcomes
• Manage probationary review processes and performance improvement plans
• Ensure compliance with all relevant employment legislation in South Africa and the UK
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of changes in labour law and advise the business on required policy updates
• Liaise with legal advisors on complex HR matters as required
• Oversee leave management system (LeavePro), ensuring accurate tracking and compliance with leave policies
• Manage CCMA/tribunal matters and external dispute resolution processes

4. Culture, Engagement & Organisational Development

• Champion company values (Operational Excellence, Efficiency, Collaboration, Innovation, Growth) and foster a positive, inclusive workplace culture
• Plan and execute staff engagement initiatives including quarterly staff meetings, team‑building activities, and recognition programmes
• Coordinate community outreach initiatives and CSR activities
• Manage internal communications to keep staff informed of company news, policy updates, and upcoming events
• Facilitate departmental alignment meetings and employee feedback forums
• Act as a trusted advisor for employee concerns, maintaining confidentiality and professionalism
• Support the integration of acquired businesses, ensuring smooth cultural and operational alignment from an HR perspective
• Drive initiatives to improve employee engagement and retention

Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in HR Management, Industrial Psychology, or related field (essential)
• Postgraduate HR or Labour Law qualification (advantageous)
• Professional HR certification/membership (SABPP, CIPD) (advantageous)

Experience:

• 5–7 years’ generalist HR experience, 2–3 years in management
• Experience managing HR across multiple entities or business units
• Cross‑border HR experience (SA & UK preferred)
• Proven track record in training programmes, internships, or leadership development
• Employee relations expertise, including disciplinary procedures, grievances, and CCMA matters
• Experience supporting business growth and M&A integration (advantageous)
• Experience in professional services, property, or wellbeing sectors (advantageous)

Knowledge & Skills:

• Expert knowledge of SA labour legislation (BCEA, LRA, EEA, POPIA, OHS Act)
• Working knowledge of UK employment law (advantageous)
• Proficiency in HRIS, payroll coordination, and Microsoft Office
• Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills
• Ability to work across time zones and with remote teams

Personal Attributes:

• High integrity and discretion
• Proactive, self‑motivated, and independent
• Strong interpersonal skills and relationship building
• Adaptable, resilient, and solutions‑oriented
• Passion for developing people and building positive workplace cultures
• Comfortable in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment