Johannesburg: Senior Employee Relations Specialist

Purpose of Role: To provide expert, consistent and legally compliant Employee Relations leadership across the companys network by ensuring fair and defensible ER outcomes, strengthening governance and oversight of ER matters, and building line-manager capability to manage ER issues appropriatelyreducing organisational risk and improving resolution quality and speed. Reports To: Head of Human Capital Key responsibilities ER strategy, governance and risk oversight Own the ER operating model across the companys network, ensuring consistent standards and decision-making. Establish and maintain ER governance: case tracking, escalation thresholds, reporting cadence, and documentation standards. Maintain a defensible audit trail for ER matters (disciplinary, incapacity, grievances, disputes). Identify systemic ER risks and recommend mitigation (policy updates, training, leadership interventions). Produce ER dashboards and MANCO reporting with risk insights and trends. ER case management and quality assurance Manage and/or oversee complex and high-risk ER cases (senior staff, precedent-setting cases, repeat offenders, reputational risk). Quality assure disciplinary outcomes to ensure consistency, proportionality and procedural fairness. Guide managers on evidence gathering, chairing processes and documentation standards. Support preparation for disputes (including CCMA matters where applicable) and internal resolution. Policy, legislative updates and compliance Monitor changes in labour legislation and relevant Codes of Good Practice. Update ER policies, templates and toolkits to ensure ongoing legal compliance and operational practicality. Translate legal requirements into clear, manager-friendly guidance and tools. Drive adherence to the companys ER policies and standard operating procedures. Line manager enablement and capability building Design and deliver ER training and enablement programmes for principals, school leaders and functional managers. Build practical tools: decision trees, checklists, templates, coaching guides and process maps. Coach leaders on difficult conversations, early intervention, performance management and misconduct handling. Shift ER ownership appropriately to line management while maintaining HC governance and oversight. ER team leadership and development Lead, mentor and performance-manage ER Specialists to ensure consistent advice and execution. Standardise ER practices across the team, including precedent and sanction guidance. Manage workload allocation, case prioritisation and development plans for the ER team. Build resilience, depth and succession capability within the ER function. Stakeholder management Build strong relationships with principals, school leadership, support office managers and HC colleagues. Provide clear, confident ER advice that supports fairness and organisational sustainability. Communicate ER risks, trends and recommendations appropriately to senior stakeholders. Key deliverables ER governance framework and reporting cadence (MANCO-ready). ER dashboard (monthly reporting with risk insights and trends). Updated ER policies, templates and toolkits aligned to legislation and company practice. Line manager enablement programme and adoption indicators. Improved consistency and defensibility of ER outcomes across the network. Qualifications and Criteria: Bachelors degree in HR, Law, Industrial Psychology or related field (Honours advantageous). 710 years Employee Relations / Industrial Relations experience with senior-level case handling. Proven ability to interpret and apply South African labour legislation (LRA, BCEA, EEA, relevant Codes). Demonstrated experience building ER governance, reporting and controls. Experience coaching and enabling line managers; strong facilitation/training capability. Team leadership/supervision experience (preferred). Competencies: Sound judgement and a consistency mindset High attention to detail; defensible documentation Calm authority and strong conflict-handling capability Stakeholder influence and coaching orientation Data literacy and comfort with dashboards / trend analysis Employment Details Employment Type: Permanent Employment Industry: Training & Education Work space preference: Work Onsite Ideal work province: Gauteng Ideal work city: Johannesburg Salary bracket: R 45000 – 50000 Drivers License: CODE B (Car) Own car needed: No