HR Lead – Africa

Johannesburg | South Africa

We are looking for an experienced HR Lead to take ownership of the HR function for a Johannesburg-based operation, with responsibility and exposure across Rest of Africa.

This is a broad, hands-on HR leadership role suited to an experienced HR professional who is comfortable operating independently at local level while working closely with regional and international HR teams.

The ideal candidate will have experience working across African markets, with East Africa exposure highly advantageous, and will understand the practical realities of managing HR across different jurisdictions, cultures and business environments.

The Role

The HR Lead will be responsible for the full employee lifecycle, providing both strategic and operational HR support to the business while ensuring that local HR practices remain aligned with broader regional and global objectives.

You will work closely with senior leaders, line managers and regional HR colleagues, translating regional initiatives into effective local implementation while also identifying and addressing local business needs.

This is a role for someone who enjoys variety, is comfortable making decisions independently and can move seamlessly between strategic HR projects and day-to-day employee matters.

Key Responsibilities

Regional & Local HR

• Own and manage the HR function for the South African operation, with responsibility and exposure across Rest of Africa.

• Work closely with regional and international HR teams to implement group-wide HR initiatives locally.

• Act as the key local HR partner to management and employees while contributing to broader regional HR strategies.

• Identify local HR trends and risks and develop practical solutions in collaboration with regional specialists.

• Support HR activities across African offices, including employee lifecycle management, engagement, retention and organisational development.

Employee Relations & Performance

• Provide trusted HR advice to managers and senior stakeholders on employee relations matters.

• Manage complex employee relations issues, disciplinary matters, grievances, absenteeism and performance concerns.

• Guide managers through performance management processes, including performance improvement plans.

• Ensure HR practices are consistent, fair and aligned with applicable employment legislation and company policies.

• Maintain a strong understanding of employment legislation across relevant African jurisdictions.

Compliance & Governance

• Own local HR compliance requirements, including Employment Equity, BBBEE, Occupational Health & Safety and related reporting obligations.

• Ensure accurate and timely BBBEE and HR information and reporting.

• Maintain appropriate HR policies, procedures and employee documentation.

• Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements across the relevant African operations.

• Work with regional and global stakeholders to ensure local requirements are incorporated into wider HR programmes.

Payroll & Benefits

• Oversee the monthly payroll process, including preparation, submission, validation and approval of payroll information.

• Ensure accurate and timely statutory obligations and payroll-related submissions.

• Manage and coordinate employee benefits and related administration.

• Participate in annual remuneration and compensation review processes.

• Work with regional and global Reward teams to ensure competitive and appropriately benchmarked practices.

Talent, Learning & Development

• Partner with Talent Acquisition teams on recruitment and workforce planning.

• Remain actively involved in sourcing, interviewing and selection where required.

• Support employer branding and talent attraction initiatives.

• Identify learning and development needs and coordinate appropriate interventions.

• Support employee development, succession planning and talent management initiatives.

Employee Experience & Engagement

• Own onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring a professional and positive employee experience.

• Drive employee engagement and retention initiatives.

• Coordinate wellness and employee-focused programmes.

• Support broader organisational development and culture initiatives.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for an experienced HR professional who brings both depth and breadth of HR experience, together with the maturity to operate independently in a regional environment.

You will ideally have:

• 7+ years' HR generalist / HRBP experience, preferably within a multinational, professional services, consulting or similarly structured environment.

• Demonstrable experience supporting Rest of Africa markets.

• East Africa experience would be highly advantageous.

• Experience working as part of a regional or EMEA HR structure while independently managing local HR responsibilities.

• Strong employee relations experience and sound knowledge of employment legislation.

• Experience advising and challenging senior managers on people-related matters.

• Strong understanding of South African HR compliance, BBBEE and Employment Equity.

• Practical experience overseeing payroll and statutory HR obligations.

• Experience with performance management, compensation reviews, talent acquisition and employee development.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Strong commercial and business acumen.

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

• The ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively with regional and global colleagues.

• A pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach and the confidence to operate in a fast-paced environment.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a regional and internationally connected business in a role that offers genuine exposure beyond the South African HR function.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence the local people agenda while working alongside experienced HR professionals across Africa and international markets.

If you are an experienced HR professional with strong Rest of Africa exposure, enjoy working in a regional environment and are equally comfortable owning the local HR agenda independently, we would like to hear from you.