Director: Employee Relations and Wellness (N000753)
North West University · Mahikeng, North West
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Start free — we apply for you →KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership and Alignment
- Develop and oversee the implementation of Employee Relations and Employee Wellness strategies aligned to the University's strategy and People Strategy.
- Provide strategic advice to executive leadership on labour relations, employee wellbeing, legislative developments and emerging workforce risks.
- Ensure effective governance frameworks, policies and practices that promote compliance, fairness and organisational sustainability.
- Monitor and report on employee relations and wellness trends, risks and strategic interventions.
Employee Relations Management
- Lead the University's employee relations function, ensuring effective management of disciplinary, grievance, incapacity, dispute resolution and conflict management processes.
- Provide specialist advice and guidance on labour legislation, case law, policy interpretation and employee relations matters.
- Oversee complex and high-risk employee relations cases, including CCMA, bargaining council and Labour Court matters where required.
- Monitor employee relations trends and implement proactive interventions to mitigate organisational risk and strengthen workplace relations.
- Ensure compliance with applicable labour legislation, collective agreements, institutional policies and governance requirements.
- Coordinate employee relations audits, reviews and reporting requirements.
Employee Relations and Wellness Research
- Monitor and analyse developments in labour legislation, case law, higher education trends and employee wellness practices.
- Conduct research and provide strategic insights that inform policy development, decision-making and institutional practice.
- Benchmark employee relations and wellness practices against leading institutions and emerging best practice.
- Provide thought leadership on workplace wellbeing, employee engagement and healthy organisational cultures.
Employee Wellness and Management
- Provide strategic oversight of the University's Employee Wellness Programme.
- Develop and implement wellness frameworks, policies and initiatives that promote employee wellbeing, resilience and productivity.
- Monitor organisational wellbeing indicators and recommend targeted interventions.
- Oversee incapacity management processes and support services.
- Represent the University on relevant wellness, health and wellbeing forums and committees.
- Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of wellness initiatives and programmes.
Labour Relations and Stakeholder Management
- Lead collective bargaining, consultation and negotiation processes with recognised labour unions.
- Build and maintain constructive relationships with organised labour and key internal and external stakeholders.
- Facilitate the conclusion, implementation and monitoring of collective agreements.
- Advise executive leadership on labour relations risks, negotiation strategies and stakeholder engagement approaches.
- Represent the University on employee relations, labour relations and human rights-related forums and committees.
- Promote effective communication, consultation and dispute prevention mechanisms across the institution.
Management and Leadership Result Areas
- Lead and develop a high-performing Employee Relations and Wellness team.
- Ensure effective workforce planning, performance management and staff development within the portfolio.
- Manage budgets, resources, systems and service delivery standards.
- Ensure effective risk management, governance and reporting within the function.
- Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
- Collective Bargaining and Negotiation.
- Employment Legislation and Regulatory Compliance.
- Employee Wellness and Wellbeing Management.
- Policy Development and Governance.
- Strategic Planning and Alignment.
- Stakeholder and Union Relationship Management.
- Risk Management and Advisory Services.
- Financial and Resource Management.
KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
- Strategic and Systems Thinking.
- Leadership and Accountability.
- Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving.
- Influencing and Negotiation.
- Relationship Building and Collaboration.
- Service Orientation.
- Innovation and Change Agility.
- Professional Integrity and Ethical Conduct.
Minimum requirements
- A master's degree NQF Level 9 in Labour Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management, Employee Relations, Labour Law LLM or a closely related discipline.
- A minimum of eight 8 years' experience in senior leadership in Employee / Labour Relations within Higher Education or comparable complex, unionised environment.
- A minimum of three 3 years' experience in management of ER function including collective bargaining, dispute resolution and policy.
- A minimum of five 5 years' experience in ER / IR practice including CCMA and disciplinary / grievance management.
Added Advantages
- Experience working in a higher education institution or a similarly complex public-sector environment.
- Admission as a legal practitioner.
- Membership of the South African Board for People Practices SABPP or the South African Reward Association SARA.
CLOSING DATE:07 October 2026