HR Operations Manager – Durban

Pro Talent is a specialist recruitment agency, based in Westville, KZN, and has been in existence since 1994. Pro Talent focuses on offering a specialist recruitment service to place scarce skills in the fields of IT, Insurance, Medical, Logistics, Legal, Finance, Technical, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Administration, HR and Management. Each recruiter works in a specialist area, armed with excellent skills and an in-depth knowledge. This enables us to offer our clients a specialist understanding, a fast and responsive service and an extensive database of candidates that are thoroughly screened. Our client in Ballito is looking for a hands-on HR Manager to lead the South African HR function while working closely with the People and Talent team in the UK. This role owns the full employee lifecycle for the South African branch — from onboarding and compliance through performance, benefits, and employee relations — and ensures local practice stays aligned with both UK and South African employment standards. Prior exposure to a UK-based holding company or group structure is highly advantageous. Duties and Responsibilities HR Leadership and Strategy Lead and manage the South African HR function, setting priorities and standards for the team, including the HR Officer(s) and Recruitment Officer. Partner with the People and Talent team in the UK to align local HR practice with group-wide policy, culture, and reporting requirements. Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies and procedures that meet both UK and South African legislative requirements. Act as a trusted advisor to department heads and senior management on HR matters, workforce planning, and organizational design. Onboarding, Compliance and Documentation Oversee the induction and onboarding process, ensuring new starters and leavers are processed promptly and accurately. Ensure reference checks, right-to-work checks, and other compliance requirements are completed in line with UK and RSA legislation. Oversee the issuing of job offers, contracts, and compliance documentation, ensuring accurate record-keeping on the HR system. Manage DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) applications and related compliance processes where required. Employee Relations and Performance Serve as the senior point of contact for employee relations matters at the South African branch, handling grievances and disciplinary processes with sound judgement and confidentiality. Maintain accurate records of grievances, performance reviews, and disciplinary actions. Support managers with performance management, coaching, and employee development initiatives. Foster an employee-oriented culture that emphasizes quality, continuous improvement, and high performance. Recruitment and Talent Oversee recruitment activity for the South African branch, supporting the Recruitment Officer with sourcing, screening, and interviewing. Ensure a positive and professional candidate experience throughout the hiring process. Support succession planning and talent development for critical roles. Benefits, Systems and Administration Manage the administration of company benefits, including schemes such as PerkBox, SimplyHealth, and the EV scheme. Oversee the allocation and tracking of employee devices such as laptops and phones. Ensure the HR system is accurately maintained, with up-to-date employee data and reporting. Respond to reference requests and manage general HR correspondence and administration. Reporting and Continuous Improvement Provide regular HR reporting and insights to the UK People and Talent team and local senior management. Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, policies, and systems across the business. Requirements Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Experience Minimum of 5 years' experience in an HR Manager role, ideally within a fast-paced, multi-site environment. Senior-level HR experience is essential; prior experience working for or with a UK holding company, or other UK exposure, is highly advantageous. Solid working knowledge of both UK and South African employment legislation and best practice. Skills and Competencies Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to manage a small HR team. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, across all levels of the business. High degree of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality. Proactive, adaptable, and comfortable managing competing priorities and deadlines. Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with confidence using HR information systems. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a remote, UK-based team.