Head: Group Office Human Capital

**Who are we?**

Sanlam was established as a life insurance company in South Africa but has since transformed into a diversified financial services group that operates across the African continent, India, Malaysia and selected developed markets, with listings on the Johannesburg, A2X and Namibian stock exchanges. In 2018 the Group celebrated its centenary as well as 20 years since demutualisation and listing in South Africa and Namibia. Sanlam is one of the largest internationally active insurance groups in the world with a presence in 43 countries and has the biggest non-banking financial services footprint on the African continent.

The business divisions of the Group, including Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, and Santam, encompass the operational core of the organisation. Supporting these divisions, the Group Office plays a crucial role in offering strategic guidance and aid to the divisions, enabling them to achieve their goals and fulfill their business missions. Responsible for overseeing governance and central functions, such as Group Technology, Finance, Actuarial & Risk Management, Strategy, Human Capital, Market Development, and Sustainability, the Group Office ensures cohesive management across the organisation.
- This role resides in the Group Office and reports to the Group Executive: Human Capital.

**Overall purpose of the role**

**Key Responsibilities**
- Establish and maintain relationships with key internal stakeholders, such as business leaders, to ensure the effective delivery of human capital services.
- Partner with Group HC functional teams to ensure that all HR-related policies, practices, and procedures are aligned with the human capital strategy.
- Develop, enrich, and implement the Group Office HC strategy, harmonising it with the Sanlam Group business and Human Capital strategies.
- Ensure alignment with Sanlam Group Human Capital imperatives and initiatives aimed at fostering talent growth and mobility.
- Collaborate closely with Group Executives on matters related to people, culture, and transformation, providing informed advice and guidance.
- Cultivate an organisational culture that strongly promotes a unified Sanlam identity, working alongside the Group Office leadership team.
- Monitor and analyse key HR data trends and utilise data insights to make recommendations to senior management on talent-related topics, such as retention, performance management and employee compensation.
- Execute people and digital transformation strategies, achieving key milestones and objectives, particularly in areas such as transformation, compensation and benefits alignment, well-being, succession planning, performance management, development, culture, and organisational effectiveness.

**Qualification and Experience**
- Relevant tertiary qualification, postgraduate qualification - preferred
- 10+ years of senior Human Capital experience, including a minimum of 3-5 years in a management or HR leadership role (essential)
- Experience supporting senior executives and managing cross-functional relationships at a strategic level.
- Exposure to the financial services sector or similar highly regulated industries is advantageous.
- Proven track record in leading and delivering successful HC strategies and initiatives.

**Knowledge and Skills**
- Deep understanding of Human Capital (HC) strategy development and implementation, particularly in large, complex organisations.
- Knowledge of talent management, change management, organisational design, rewards, learning and development, and performance management processes.
- In-depth familiarity with human resource regulations, compliance requirements, and governance practices across diverse jurisdictions, particularly in South Africa.
- Sound technical expertise on holistic HR processes including international talent acquisition and mobility.
- Working knowledge of Labour Relations practice and processes
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build and maintain relationships with executives and key stakeholders.
- Advanced problem-solving and decision-making skills, particularly in managing complex, cross-functional HC challenges.
- High emotional intelligence, enabling effective conflict resolution, coaching, and employee engagement.
- Strong commercial acumen

**Core Competencies**
- **Cultivates Innovation** by creating new and better ways for the organisation to be successful.
- **Client Focus** - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
- **Drives Results** - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
- **Collaborates** - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
- **Resilience**:

- Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.

**Personal Qualities**
- **Organisational Savvy** - Manoeuvring comfortably through complex policy, process and people related organizational