HR Operations Manager – Durban

• Our client in Ballito is looking for a hands-on HR Manager to lead the South African HR function while working closely with the People and Talent team in the UK.
• This role owns the full employee lifecycle for the South African branch — from onboarding and compliance through performance, benefits, and employee relations — and ensures local practice stays aligned with both UK and South African employment standards.
• Prior exposure to a UK-based holding company or group structure is highly advantageous.

Duties and Responsibilities HR Leadership and Strategy

• Lead and manage the South African HR function, setting priorities and standards for the team, including the HR Officers and Recruitment Officer.
• Partner with the People and Talent team in the UK to align local HR practice with group-wide policy, culture, and reporting requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies and procedures that meet both UK and South African legislative requirements.
• Act as a trusted advisor to department heads and senior management on HR matters, workforce planning, and organizational design.

Onboarding, Compliance and Documentation

• Oversee the induction and onboarding process, ensuring new starters and leavers are processed promptly and accurately.
• Ensure reference checks, right-to-work checks, and other compliance requirements are completed in line with UK and RSA legislation.
• Oversee the issuing of job offers, contracts, and compliance documentation, ensuring accurate record-keeping on the HR system.
• Manage DBS Disclosure and Barring Service applications and related compliance processes where required.

Employee Relations and Performance

• Serve as the senior point of contact for employee relations matters at the South African branch, handling grievances and disciplinary processes with sound judgement and confidentiality.
• Maintain accurate records of grievances, performance reviews, and disciplinary actions.
• Support managers with performance management, coaching, and employee development initiatives.
• Foster an employee-oriented culture that emphasizes quality, continuous improvement, and high performance.

Recruitment and Talent

• Oversee recruitment activity for the South African branch, supporting the Recruitment Officer with sourcing, screening, and interviewing.
• Ensure a positive and professional candidate experience throughout the hiring process.
• Support succession planning and talent development for critical roles.

Benefits, Systems and Administration

• Manage the administration of company benefits, including schemes such as PerkBox, SimplyHealth, and the EV scheme.
• Oversee the allocation and tracking of employee devices such as laptops and phones.
• Ensure the HR system is accurately maintained, with up-to-date employee data and reporting.
• Respond to reference requests and manage general HR correspondence and administration.

Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Provide regular HR reporting and insights to the UK People and Talent team and local senior management.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, policies, and systems across the business.

Requirements Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in an HR Manager role, ideally within a fast-paced, multi-site environment.
• Senior-level HR experience is essential; prior experience working for or with a UK holding company, or other UK exposure, is highly advantageous.
• Solid working knowledge of both UK and South African employment legislation and best practice.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to manage a small HR team.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, across all levels of the business.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Proactive, adaptable, and comfortable managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with confidence using HR information systems.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a remote, UK-based team.