Employee Relations & Experience Manager Gauteng

Activities

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Law or equivalent. Postgraduate qualification in Employee Relations Management preferred. 

Experience Level

Minimum 10 years of professional experience in employee and labour relations, ideally within a complex and unionized environment. 

Extensive knowledge of labour relations legislation and employment law. Strong experience in conciliations, arbitrations, labour court and bargaining council processes. Employee relations strategy development and implementation. HR processes and practices. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. 

Negotiation and dispute resolution. Ability to influence and persuade stakeholders. Strong decision-making capability. Integrity and adherence to values and principles. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Networking and relationship-building skills. Resilience and ability to perform under pressure.  Language Skills

Fluent English. 

Experience working with trade unions and employee representative bodies. Extensive knowledge of collective bargaining and labour dispute resolution mechanisms. Strong understanding of Labour Relations Act (LRA), Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), Employment Equity Act (EEA) and related legislation. Ability to monitor labour law developments and align policies and practices accordingly. Demonstrated business acumen

Candidate Profile

Join a dynamic Human Resources team and play a strategic role in shaping employee relations and workplace experience across several Southern African countries. Reporting to the Human Resources leadership team, you will lead employee relations initiatives, foster constructive social dialogue and contribute directly to employee engagement and organizational performance. You will lead the implementation of employee relations strategies and policies, ensuring full compliance with labour legislation, company procedures and employment standards across the region.  You will represent the company in labour disputes, conciliations, arbitrations and labour court matters, providing expert guidance and negotiating effective resolutions with external stakeholders and employee representatives.  You will oversee disciplinary, grievance, incapacity and performance management processes, ensuring consistency, fairness and adherence to company governance standards while supporting managers and employees.  You will maintain constructive relationships with trade unions and employee representatives, facilitate collective bargaining processes and support the implementation of negotiated agreements within the business.  You will drive employee experience initiatives, engagement programs and Top Employer activities while leading a team of professionals to continuously improve workplace culture, inclusion and employee satisfaction. Lead a team of 3 direct reports and provide guidance on employee relations matters across multiple countries and business entities.  Support an employee population of approximately 849 employees within a diverse and unionized operational environment.  Manage an annual employee relations budget of approximately USD 600,000 and ensure efficient allocation of resources to strategic initiatives.  Operate across a regional perimeter including South Africa, Namibia and eSwatini, collaborating with multiple internal and external stakeholders. Influence labour relations outcomes through engagement with industry associations, bargaining councils, unions and employee representative bodies. This position operates within a highly regulated and unionized market environment where labour legislation compliance and constructive stakeholder engagement are critical to business success. The role requires close collaboration with management teams, employee representatives, bargaining councils, employers’ associations and external labour law specialists. You will contribute to the development of innovative employee relations solutions with a long-term strategic perspective while supporting organizational transformation, employee engagement and operational excellence across the region.  The Employee Relations & Experience Manager is responsible for developing and implementing employee relations strategies that enhance workplace experience, ensure labour law compliance and foster positive social dialogue across the regional organization. The role drives employee engagement, supports organizational transformation, manages labour relations risks and ensures alignment between business objectives and people strategies while promoting a positive, inclusive and productive work environment