South Africa: Director Employee Relations Human Resources posted by Nelson Mandela University

About the Role

The Director: Employee Relations and Compliance is a critical leadership role that provides strategic oversight of Employee Relations, Labour Relations, ER Governance, Risk, and Compliance across all Nelson Mandela University (NMU) campuses. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring fair, transparent, and legally compliant labour practices while fostering constructive relationships between management, employees, and organised labour.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and monitor a university-wide Employee Relations strategy aligned to the HR and institutional strategy.
• Establish and maintain effective ER structures, systems, and resources.
• Implement a Quality Management System for the HR function.
• Drive continuous improvement and best-practice ER service delivery.
• Provide strategic oversight of all ER services, including discipline, grievances, disputes, and appeals.
• Represent the University at the CCMA and, where required, the Labour Court.
• Ensure effective preparation and coordination of disciplinary hearings, arbitrations, and litigation in consultation with HR partners and legal representatives.
• Provide expert advice to management on labour legislation, policy interpretation, and conflict resolution.
• Promote awareness of ER developments and legislative changes across the University.
• Lead and coordinate collective bargaining, consultation, and negotiation processes with recognized trade unions.
• Chair wage negotiations in collaboration with executive leadership.
• Facilitate and conclude collective agreements and ensure compliance by all parties.
• Strengthen labour relations climate through regular engagement with unions and shop stewards.
• Oversee capacity-building initiatives for shop stewards and management.
• Ensure HR policies, procedures, and practices comply with labour legislation and governance standards.
• Lead the development, review, consultation, and approval of HR policies and SOPs.
• Address audit findings and manage HR-related risks through appropriate controls.
• Compile and present governance, compliance, and management reports.
• Promote an ethical, risk-aware, and compliance-driven culture within HR.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including unions, management, employees, legal bodies, and service providers.
• Ensure effective communication and consultation forums are functional and impactful.
• Deliver professional, responsive, and client-focused ER services.
• Develop and manage the ER and Compliance budget.
• Monitor expenditure and ensure compliance with financial and procurement legislation.
• Manage contracts, service level agreements, and cost controls.
• Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing ER and Compliance team.
• Drive performance management, staff development, and succession planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous learning.

Requirements

### Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in law.
• Postgraduate qualification in Labour Law, Labour Relations, or Human Resources.
• Postgraduate qualification in management would be beneficial.
• Admission as an attorney will be considered an added advantage.

### Experience

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in complex employee relations, preferably in a multi-union environment.
• Proven experience in collective bargaining, dispute resolution, and labour litigation.
• At least 5 years’ experience managing professional staff.

Salary & Benefits

No salary information is provided.