Employee Relations Manager

The Employee Relations Manager will be a key member of the HR Management team, responsible for developing, implementing, and managing strategies and programs that foster a positive, fair, and productive work environment. This role is a critical partner to business leaders and employees, providing expert guidance on a wide range of employee relations matters, including conflict resolution, disciplinary processes, performance management, and policy interpretation. The successful candidate must ensure compliance with all relevant South African labour legislation, broader Africa legislation and internal policies while championing an inclusive and ethical workplace culture. Knowledge of the UK labour legislation will be an added advantage.

• Provide expert advice and guidance on all day to day employee relations matters including complex and strategic employee relations matters which require employment law expertise.
• Lead and guide a team of employee relationship specialists relating to matters such as grievances, disciplinary hearings, investigations.
• Serve as a trusted resource for all internal stakeholders and act as a first point of informal escalation as a subject matter expert providing expert legal and strategic advice across the business at all employment levels. Manage and monitor all Department of Employment and Labour Inspections to ensure compliance with legislative requirements
• Case Management & Conflict Resolution: Lead and manage all employee relations cases, from initial complaint to resolution. Conduct thorough, objective, and timely investigations into complex and sensitive matters, including harassment, discrimination, and misconduct.
• Assist and advise in the mediation of disputes between employees and/or managers, providing guidance and facilitating constructive dialogue.
• Manage and drive various projects for the business to assess and improve efficiencies and effectiveness of various work processes, policies and procedures.
• Policy & Compliance: Develop, review, and update HR policies and procedures to ensure they are legally compliant, particularly with the Labour Relations Act (LRA), the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), and the Employment Equity Act (EEA). Stay abreast of changes in South African labour laws and regulations and advise on their impact. Ensure consistent application of policies across the organisation.
• Advisory & Guidance: Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees on a variety of employee relations issues, including performance management, disciplinary actions, and terminations. This includes providing guidance on processes that align with Code of Good Practice: Dismissal as outlined in the LRA.
• Assist and manage the training portfolio based on the business training needs relating to Employee Relations and Labour Law.
• Performance Management: Partner with HR Business Partners and managers to manage the performance improvement process for employees, ensuring documentation is accurate and all actions are taken fairly and consistently.
• Data & Analytics: Maintain accurate and confidential records of all ER cases and activities. Analyze ER data to identify trends, root causes, and potential areas for policy or training intervention. Prepare reports for leadership on ER metrics.
• CCMA & Bargaining Council Representation: Manage and assist in advising on all cases referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) or relevant Bargaining Councils. Represent the company at conciliation and arbitration hearings and work collaboratively with legal counsel as needed.
• Whistleblower Process: Manage all whistle blower reports and investigations in line with the legal requirements, policies and procedures.
• Provide quarterly reports and engage with senior stakeholders and external stakeholders in this regard.
• Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify and mitigate potential legal and reputational risks associated with employee relations. Work collaboratively with the legal department and external counsel as needed.
• Culture & Communication: Promote a culture of open communication, respect, and accountability. Contribute to broader HR initiatives aimed at enhancing employee engagement and the overall employee experience.

Required Skills & Qualifications
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Law
• Advantageous: LLB specializing in Labour Law, or a related field or a postgraduate qualification in Labour Law or a professional HR certification Experience:
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in Human Resources, with at least 3-5 years focused specifically on employee relations in a South African context.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting complex and sensitive workplace investigations.
• Proven track record of successfully representing an organisation at the CCMA.
• Proven track record in holding a leadership position or managing a team. Knowledge:
• Essential: In-depth, practical knowledge of South African labour legislation, including the LRA, BCEA, EEA, and the Skills Development Act and Labour dispute forums.
• Desirable: Understanding of collective bargaining and trade union dynamics in a South African context. Skills:
• Strong Employee Relations, Human Resources and Legal background with the ability to think strategically and to translate this into practical and operational outcomes.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, credibility and rapport with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Good judgement, strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Adapts quickly and acquires new knowledge and skills and competencies in a rapidly changing and fast paced environment
• High level of emotional intelligence, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to draft clear and concise reports, policies and pleadings.
• Effective mediation and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a heavy caseload with competing priorities. Values:
• Integrity and a strong ethical compass.
• Objectivity and impartiality in all decision-making.
• Resilience and the ability to handle emotionally charged situations with professionalism.
• A proactive, results-oriented mindset.
• Effectively works with others to achieve business goals, adopts a solutions-centric and practical approach to all duties and responsibilities. Excellent stakeholder management skills
• A collaborative and consultative approach whilst working in teams across the business
• The ability to prioritize multiple tasks from multiple sources and meet deadlines.
• Creates an environment that fosters fairness and consistency. Nurtures inclusiveness and diversity whilst driving success in line with business objectives.
• Takes accountability and ensures others are held to account in line with policies and procedures.

Required Skills & Qualifications
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Law
• Advantageous: LLB specializing in Labour Law, or a related field or a postgraduate qualification in Labour Law or a professional HR certification Experience:
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in Human Resources, with at least 3-5 years focused specifically on employee relations in a South African context.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting complex and sensitive workplace investigations.
• Proven track record of successfully representing an organisation at the CCMA.
• Proven track record in holding a leadership position or managing a team. Knowledge:
• Essential: In-depth, practical knowledge of South African labour legislation, including the LRA, BCEA, EEA, and the Skills Development Act and Labour dispute forums.
• Desirable: Understanding of collective bargaining and trade union dynamics in a South African context. Skills:
• Strong Employee Relations, Human Resources and Legal background with the ability to think strategically and to translate this into practical and operational outcomes.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, credibility and rapport with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Good judgement, strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Adapts quickly and acquires new knowledge and skills and competencies in a rapidly changing and fast paced environment
• High level of emotional intelligence, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to draft clear and concise reports, policies and pleadings.
• Effective mediation and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a heavy caseload with competing priorities. Values:
• Integrity and a strong ethical compass.
• Objectivity and impartiality in all decision-making.
• Resilience and the ability to handle emotionally charged situations with professionalism.
• A proactive, results-oriented mindset.
• Effectively works with others to achieve business goals, adopts a solutions-centric and practical approach to all duties and responsibilities. Excellent stakeholder management skills
• A collaborative and consultative approach whilst working in teams across the business
• The ability to prioritize multiple tasks from multiple sources and meet deadlines.
• Creates an environment that fosters fairness and consistency. Nurtures inclusiveness and diversity whilst driving success in line with business objectives.
• Takes accountability and ensures others are held to account in line with policies and procedures.