Employee Relations and Compliance Specialist

IntroductionA fintech payments company focused on enabling entrepreneurs to participate in South Africa's digital economy is seeking an Employee Relations and Compliance Specialist to join its People Team. Reporting to the People Experience Manager, you will take ownership of industrial relations cases, people policy development and compliance management across the group of companies. This is a hands-on role requiring sound judgement, empathy and rigorous attention to detail in managing sensitive employee matters fairly and consistently. Key ResponsibilitiesManage allocated employee relations and industrial relations cases from initial assessment through to conclusion, including misconduct, grievances, poor performance, incapacity and absenteeism mattersConduct and coordinate fact-finding and workplace investigations, gathering relevant information, interviewing parties and testing assumptions to ensure all perspectives and evidence are consideredWork directly with managers and employees to explain processes, coordinate next steps and ensure matters progress fairly, consistently and in line with company policy and applicable legislationDraft and manage industrial relations documentation, including warnings, counselling letters, suspension letters, hearing notices, charge sheets and outcome lettersCoordinate disciplinary hearings and represent the company in disciplinary and CCMA matters within the scope of the role, including preparation of referral packs, hearing packs and conciliation and arbitration bundlesMaintain complete case files, accurate industrial relations registers and key case deadlines, and consult with the People Experience Manager on risk, precedent and complex mattersIdentify recurring employee relations themes and trends and raise these with the People Experience Manager to inform preventative action, manager support, policy changes or trainingDraft, review and maintain people policies, procedures and standard operating procedures for review and approval by managementTranslate legislation and policy requirements into clear, practical processes, templates, guides and standard correspondence that managers and employees can apply consistentlyReview existing policies and processes, identify gaps or inconsistencies and recommend practical improvementsMaintain the people compliance calendar, registers and supporting documentation across the group, ensuring key statutory activities and deadlines are tracked in advanceCoordinate the preparation of Employment Equity plans, reports, committee documentation and quarterly Employment Equity meetingsSupport BBBEE Skills Development activities and work with the Learning and Development Manager on relevant WSP, ATR and Skills Development requirementsCoordinate people-related compliance documentation for audits, inspections and statutory requirements, including Employment Equity, COIDA, OHSA and POPIA requirements where applicableMaintain accurate industrial relations and compliance reports, registers and employee records, identify gaps or risks early and follow through on agreed corrective actionsRequirementsA relevant tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, Labour Law or a related fieldApproximately 4 to 6 years of relevant Human Resources or People experience, including proven experience owning industrial relations cases from end to endPractical experience managing misconduct, grievances, poor performance, incapacity and workplace investigations, together with hands-on experience drafting industrial relations documentationA deep and practical working understanding of disciplinary and CCMA processes, including experience representing or supporting an employer in hearings or CCMA mattersDemonstrated experience drafting or updating people policies, procedures and standard operating proceduresWorking knowledge of relevant South African labour legislation and experience supporting Employment Equity, Health and Safety, WSP, ATR, BBBEE Skills Development or other people compliance activitiesStrong Microsoft 365 capabilityOwn vehicle and a valid driver's licenceWillingness to travel between offices as required, including Cape Town and Stellenbosch, with travel to Durban and Johannesburg as neededPreferably based in Cape TownPreferred: Experience with Power BI, AI tools, multiple legal entities or a regulated industryThe role is hybrid with three days per week in the office.