HR Operations Specialist

About the Position

We are looking for an HR Operations Specialist to join our growing team in Cape Town and play a key role in building and maintaining a compliant, efficient, and employee-focused HR function. As the local HR expert, you will oversee HR operations, ensure compliance with South African labour legislation, manage employee relations, and support managers throughout the employee lifecycle. In addition, you will coordinate office operations, facilities, and administrative processes to create a seamless workplace experience. This is a unique opportunity to establish strong HR practices and contribute directly to the success and growth of the Cape Town office.

Responsibilities

HR Operations, Compliance & Labour Law

• Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies, procedures, and employment documentation that comply with South African labour legislation and align with the Company’s global standards.
• Act as the local subject-matter expert on employment law; monitor legislative and regulatory developments to proactively update contracts and practices.
• Embed compliance into the employee lifecycle: verify right-to-work, issue compliant employment contracts, and ensure the lawful handling of personal data (POPIA compliance) from day one.
• Manage core HR operations (onboarding, internal moves, promotions, offboarding) and keep employee records accurate, complete, and audit-ready.
• Analyse HR metrics to identify trends, mitigate people-related legal/operational risks, and drive employee engagement and retention initiatives.

Employee Relations (ER) & Dispute Resolution

• Ensure both substantive and procedural fairness across all people processes - discipline, incapacity, grievances, dismissals, and retrenchments.
• Provide expert guidance, coaching, and support to managers through disciplinary, grievance, and conflict matters, ensuring correct procedures are followed and documented.
• Lead end-to-end formal enquiries and hearings, conducting thorough, impartial investigations.
• Resolve issues early and fairly to prevent escalation, and represent the organisation professionally at the CCMA or Labour Court, preparing all necessary case documentation and evidence.

Office Operations & Logistics

• Oversee day-to-day office operations and organize convenient office space for the local team, acting as the primary point of contact for facility coordination, vendor management, and basic procurement.
• Handle local administrative logistics for on- and offboarding (e.g., workspace setup, equipment and access provisioning) to ensure a seamless employee experience.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in a similar position.
• Bachelor's degree or above in Human Resources, Human Resources Management, Labor Relations, Business/Management, Psychology, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge and hands-on experience in South African labour law (LRA, BCEA, EEA, POPIA, and related regulations), with a proven track record of applying it in an HR setting.
• Proven ability to independently manage and support a broad range of HR operations across the full employee lifecycle, including core administrative processes such as document management, onboarding and offboarding, and the maintenance of personnel records.
• Demonstrated experience developing HR policies and managing employee relations, including disciplinary, grievance, and CCMA matters, with sound procedural and substantive fairness.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with attention to detail in documentation and reporting.
• Exceptional investigation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Takes full ownership of HR processes in the region, operating independently and reliably as the local point of contact.
• Proactive and self-directed, with a strong instinct for identifying and addressing what needs attention.
• Operates with integrity, sound judgment, and transparent communication, befitting a trusted standalone role.
• Meticulous and detail-oriented, particularly when handling compliance matters and sensitive employee data.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities at once without sacrificing quality.

Nice to Have

• Experience in an international company.
• Prior experience building a team from the ground up.

We Offer

• 15 paid vacation days per year
• 10 paid sick leave days per year
• 10 public holidays
• Medical budget
• Professional education budget
• Language learning budget
• Wellness budget (gym membership, sports gear, and related expenses)

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