HR Manager

SUMMARY:
HR Manager

POSITION INFO:

Senior role with reputable hospitality company

Be responsible for strategically leading and managing the Human Resources

function across a group of hotels and lodges, ensuring full legal compliance, effective HR operations, a high-performance culture, and an engaged, well-developed workforce. This role ensures alignment of HR strategy with the group’s business objectives and hospitality service standards.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

Develop and implement group-wide HR strategies, policies, and procedures aligned with the organisation’s goals and South African labour legislation.

Support hotel leadership teams to drive a consistent, high-performance hospitality culture.

Contribute to executive and operational decisions impacting workforce planning and organisational design.

Compliance & Industrial Relations

Ensure full compliance with all labour legislation, including BCEA, LRA, EE Act, OHSA, and relevant hospitality-sector requirements.

Manage and guide processes relating to disciplinary action, grievances, CCMA

preparation, union interaction, and conflict resolution.

Maintain accurate and up-to-date HR documentation, audits, and statutory reporting.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

Oversee the full recruitment lifecycle for all hotel properties, ensuring attraction of hospitality-appropriate talent.

Implement robust onboarding programmes and ensure accurate job profiles across the group.

Drive diversity, transformation, and Employment Equity initiatives.

Learning, Development & Performance Management

Conduct skills assessments and oversee training plans to enhance staff capability and service standards.

Oversee performance appraisal systems that promote accountability and high

performance.

Maintain training records to support compliance and employee development.

HR Operations, Payroll & Administration

Oversee payroll administration for accuracy in salaries, benefits, service charges, gratuities, leave, and statutory deductions.

Ensure all HR records, HRIS systems, and reporting processes are accurate and consistent across all hotels.

Manage HR budgets and optimise HR operational processes.

Employee Relations, Culture & Engagement

Promote an engaged workforce through wellness initiatives, staff events, and recognition programmes.

Maintain a visible HR presence at hotel sites, acting as a trusted advisor for staff and management.

Foster a positive organisational culture that supports retention and service excellence.

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

Degree in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, or related field.

Minimum 3–5 years HR Manager or Assistant HR Manager experience within

hospitality (hotel or lodge environment).

Proven experience managing HR functions for workforce volumes (100+ employees).

Preferred:

Experience across multiple hospitality properties.

Knowledge of hospitality labour practices, service charge management, and seasonal staffing patterns.

Payroll system experience (e.g., SAGE).

Skills & Competencies

Strong knowledge of South African labour legislation and IR processes.

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.

Ability to manage diverse, multilingual workforces.

High emotional intelligence and conflict-resolution ability.

Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

Integrity, discretion, and ability to handle confidential information.

Personal Attributes

Approachable and empathetic, with the ability to engage at all levels.

Resilient and able to manage high-pressure hospitality environments.

Solutions-driven and proactive.

Commitment to staff development and service excellence.

Working Conditions

Travel between hotel properties within the group.

Availability for after-hours HR support during operational incidents.

Interaction with unions, external consultants, training providers, and auditors.