People & Culture Business Partner

This role offers a dynamic opportunity for a seasoned People & Culture Business Partner to join Liberty in Johannesburg. As a trusted advisor, you will be instrumental in shaping and executing HR strategies that directly support the company’s overarching business objectives. This is a contract position where your expertise will be crucial in driving people-focused initiatives and fostering a thriving organisational culture.

About the Role

The core of this position involves acting as a strategic partner to senior leadership and line managers. You will delve into organisational challenges, understanding them from a people perspective, and then devise and implement effective, people-centred solutions. This includes navigating complex employee relations matters, ensuring fairness and confidentiality throughout processes like conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and grievance handling. Furthermore, you'll be involved in driving talent management, which encompasses succession planning, performance management, and identifying career pathways for high-potential employees. A key aspect will be the design and delivery of programmes focused on organisational development and change management, all aimed at enhancing employee engagement and ensuring cultural alignment across the organisation. You will also leverage data, analysing HR metrics to uncover trends, inform strategic decisions, and recommend evidence-based interventions.

Your responsibilities will be varied and impactful, contributing significantly to the employee experience and organisational effectiveness. Key duties include:

• Partnering with business leaders and managers to understand and address organisational challenges through people-centric solutions.
• Managing employee relations, including conflict resolution, disciplinary procedures, and grievance handling, with a commitment to confidentiality and fairness.
• Leading talent management initiatives such as succession planning, performance management, and career progression for high-potential staff.
• Designing and implementing organisational development programmes and change management strategies to boost employee engagement and cultural cohesion.
• Analysing people data and HR metrics to identify trends, support decision-making, and propose data-driven interventions.
• Supporting recruitment and selection processes, ensuring they align with organisational values and diversity goals.
• Developing and rolling out effective induction and onboarding programmes to improve retention and engagement.
• Providing coaching and guidance to managers on best practices in people management and HR policies.
• Ensuring strict compliance with South African labour law and company HR policies in all people-related activities.
• Collaborating with various teams to design and deliver learning and development initiatives that build capabilities and support career growth.
• Championing cultural initiatives and employee engagement activities to cultivate a positive and inclusive work environment.

What They're Looking For

Liberty is seeking an individual with a robust background in Human Resources, specifically within a People & Culture Business Partner capacity. A minimum of five to ten years of relevant experience is required, demonstrating a strong understanding of employee relations and conflict resolution. Crucially, a solid grasp of South African employment legislation and labour law is essential. Proven experience in talent management, performance management, and career development is a must.

The ideal candidate will possess excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the proven ability to influence at all organisational levels. Proficiency in analysing HR data and using these insights to guide decisions is highly valued. Experience in change management and organisational development initiatives is also a key requirement. Strong interpersonal skills are vital for building trust and credibility with a diverse range of stakeholders. Candidates must demonstrate excellent organisational abilities and a meticulous approach to timekeeping, alongside the capacity to handle sensitive matters with discretion and maintain confidentiality.

Desirable attributes include experience with HR information systems (HRIS) and HR technology platforms, as well as knowledge of coaching and mentoring methodologies. Familiarity with designing and delivering training programmes and experience with employee engagement survey tools would be advantageous. Project management experience and an understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles are also considered beneficial.

In the South African context, roles like this often involve competitive remuneration packages, reflecting the strategic importance and required expertise. Common employers for such positions include large financial institutions, telecommunications companies, and professional services firms. Career progression typically leads to more senior HR leadership roles, such as HR Manager or Head of People & Culture.

• Matric, Diploma ,Degree

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 5to 10 years' experience in a People & Culture or HR Business Partner role
• Demonstrated expertise in employee relations and conflict resolution
• Strong knowledge of South African employment legislation and labour law
• Proven experience in talent management, performance management, and career development
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
• Proficiency in analysing HR data and using insights to drive decision-making
• Experience in change management and organisational development initiatives
• Strong people skills with the ability to build trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders
• Excellent time keeping and organisational abilities
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive matters with discretion
• Desirable Skills & Experience:
• Experience with HR information systems (HRIS) and HR technology platforms
• Knowledge of coaching and mentoring methodologies
• Experience in designing and delivering training and development programmes
• Familiarity with employee engagement survey tools and culture assessment models
• Project management experience
• Experience working in a multi-site or matrix organisational structure
• Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles and practices **Domain Expertise:**
•  South African employment law and compliance requirements
• Organisational culture development and modelling
• Employee engagement and retention strategies
• Performance management systems and appraisal processes

Behavioural Competencies:

• Adopting Practical Approaches
• Articulating Information
• Embracing Change
• Establishing Rapport
• Exploring Possibilities
• Interpreting Data
• Inviting Feedback
• Managing Tasks
• Providing Insights
• Taking Action
• Team Working
• Upholding Standards

Technical Competencies:

• Decision Making
• Digital Advocacy
• Inclusive Facilitation
• Integrative Leadership
• Organisational Navigation
• Storytelling