People Business Partner – South Africa

About the role

Sage, a global provider of cloud-based accounting, financial, enterprise management, people and payroll software, is hiring a People Business Partner for its South Africa office in Johannesburg. The role builds strong commercial relationships with business leaders in the country, gives strategic advice on people matters and leads the implementation of Group and functional people programmes locally.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with senior country leaders to understand the business strategy and create people strategies and plans that support it
• Lead country-specific change initiatives and collaborate with Functional People Business Partners on function-led changes
• Lead employee relations, including engagement and union/works council negotiations and consultations
• Own and implement key people processes such as talent review, succession planning and performance management, and give input on training needs and potential successors
• Lead salary and bonus planning for country teams in line with Group policy
• Own total headcount, including data accuracy and approval to hire and remove colleagues
• Work with People Services and CoEs (Reward & Recognition, Learning & Development, Resourcing & Talent) to define country requirements and improve Group people policies

Required profile

• Relevant HR degree or equivalent
• Previous experience in a generalist HR role influencing line managers and driving HR strategy
• Deep employee relations experience, including negotiating with trade unions and works councils
• Previous line management experience
• Ability to build strong relationships and act as a trusted strategic partner to business leaders
• Experience operating in a matrixed business and a people shared services model

Required skills

• Substantial knowledge of HR across the full cycle, systems, policies and relevant legislation
• Change leadership experience
• Proficiency in English with strong verbal and written skills
• Preferred: success in a fast-paced environment, commitment to continuous learning, and methods and frameworks for people initiatives