Head, People & Culture

Liberty is seeking a strategic and experienced leader to head up its People & Culture function within the Information, Asset Management (IAM), and Technology portfolios. This pivotal role is crucial in shaping the future of the organisation's workforce and culture, ensuring alignment with business objectives and fostering a positive employee experience amidst ongoing transformation. The ideal candidate will be instrumental in devising and implementing forward-thinking strategies that not only support the business agenda but also elevate the overall people experience within a dynamic environment.

About the Role

This leadership position demands a visionary individual who can translate overarching organisational strategies into actionable people and culture initiatives. You will be responsible for setting the direction for the Technology portfolio's human capital, ensuring it is fit for purpose and capable of driving the business forward. A significant aspect of the role involves close collaboration with Centres of Excellence (COE) to co-create and deploy integrated, high-quality solutions. These solutions must be responsive to the evolving needs of the business and directly contribute to strategic objective attainment. You will also champion the change agenda within the technology domain, expertly navigating complex stakeholder landscapes and ensuring the effectiveness of business partnering efforts in resolving intricate people-related challenges.

The Head, People & Culture will play a multifaceted role, encompassing strategic planning, operational execution, and influential leadership. Key responsibilities will include:

• **Strategic Visionary:** Developing and articulating a clear roadmap for the People & Culture function that directly supports the IAM and Technology domains' strategic priorities.
• **Solution Design & Delivery:** Partnering with COEs to conceptualise, build, and implement innovative people and culture programmes and interventions tailored to business requirements.
• **Change Leadership:** Leading and guiding the technology portfolio's transformation initiatives, ensuring seamless integration and buy-in from all stakeholders.
• **Stakeholder Management:** Cultivating strong relationships with senior leaders and various stakeholders across the organisation to drive people-related strategies and resolve complex issues.
• **Commercial Acumen:** Applying a deep understanding of how people and culture practices contribute to business commercial success and broader societal relevance.
• **Data-Driven Insights:** Utilising data and analytics to inform decision-making, measure the impact of people initiatives, and provide actionable insights to business managers.
• **Coaching & Influence:** Proactively coaching and influencing business managers on critical people matters, fostering a culture of effective leadership and employee engagement.
• **Employee Centricity:** Championing employee-focused people and culture solutions that align with and support overarching business objectives.

The role requires a sophisticated understanding of organisational dynamics, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and the ability to influence at all levels. A strong command of behavioural competencies such as articulating information, convincing others, developing strategies, directing people, embracing change, empowering individuals, establishing rapport, exploring possibilities, making decisions, managing tasks, teamwork, and upholding standards is essential.

What They're Looking For

Liberty is searching for a candidate with a significant track record in People & Culture Business Partnering, evidenced by more than 10 years of relevant experience. A profound understanding of the strategic role People & Culture plays in enabling both commercial success and social relevance for a business is paramount. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated history of effectively partnering with business managers through a commercially minded approach, leveraging data and insights to drive outcomes.

Essential experience includes successfully coaching and influencing business managers on a range of people-related issues, as well as a proven ability to position employee-centric P&C products that underpin business objectives. You should be able to evidence your proficiency in measuring the impact of P&C initiatives and demonstrate a strong capability to influence senior stakeholders within complex organisational structures. Technical competencies such as decision-making, digital advocacy, inclusive facilitation, integrative leadership, organisational navigation, and storytelling will be highly valued. A postgraduate qualification, ideally in Human Resources or a related field, is required.

In South Africa, a role of this seniority typically commands a competitive remuneration package, reflecting the strategic importance and extensive experience required. Common employers for such positions include large financial institutions, multinational corporations, and established South African businesses operating in various sectors. Career progression often leads to broader executive leadership roles within HR or operations.

Type of Qualification: Postgraduate 
Field of Study: Human Resources

Experience Required
People & Culture Business Partnering
People & Culture
More than 10 years

• Deep knowledge & understanding of role P&C management plays in enabling business commercial & social relevance.
• Experience focusing on partnering with business managers taking a commercial approach, using data & insights.
• Demonstrated track record successfully coaching & influencing business managers on people issues.
• Experience positioning employee centric P&C products to support business objectives. Knowledge & application of P&C impact measures. Evidence influencing snr stakeholders across complex environment.