Country People Business Partner at Sage

Job description

Job purpose:

To build strong commercial relationships and partner with business leaders in the Country, providing strategic advice and knowledge on People related matters and ensuring effective business execution of People practices. Work in collaboration with colleagues in the People function (Functional People Business Partners, CoEs, People Services) to ensure a value-adding, consistent People service provision to leaders, managers and colleagues in the Country and to lead the implementation of all Group/Function operational/strategic People programs and change agendas into the Country.

Key accountabilities and decision ownership:

• As an integral part of the Country leadership team, partners with senior leaders in the Country to understand the business strategy. Creates and delivers people strategies and plans to underpin the business strategy, ensuring change initiatives and solutions drive efficiency and optimal employee performance and engagement.
• Leads any change that is specific to the Country. Collaborates with Functional People Business Partners regarding Function-led change that impacts the team in the country, and ensures effective local communication and implementation.
• Leads on employee relations activities in the country, responsible for colleague engagement and for leading union/works council/colleague representative negotiations and consultations, as appropriate.
• Owns and implements the key People processes (e.g. talent review, succession planning, and performance management) for all resources in the country (function and non-function). Gives input to Function People BPs on function-specific training needs, identified stars and potential successors, etc. in the country.
• Leads salary and bonus planning for country teams with the Country leaders in line with Group policy and processes.
• Owns the total headcount in the country, responsible for data accuracy and approval to hire and remove colleagues
• Ensures alignment with People Services on in-country operational processes
• Works with CoEs (Reward & Recognition, Learning & Development, and Resourcing & Talent) to define country-specific requirements to be implemented. Supports the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Group People policies by providing business insights and priorities to the CoEs and by deploying agreed methods and frameworks for People initiatives within the Country.
• Champions and drives adoption of the service delivery model within the business and collaborates with People Services Hub Managers to ensure effective delivery of people services strategy for the Country.
• Develops Employee Relations Specialist (where appropriate) through effective performance management techniques to enhance capability and manage talent and succession planning in the People function.

Key performance indicators:

• Country headcount – data accuracy and adherence to budget
• Employee engagement (colleague survey feedback)
• Country succession plans and talent pipeline
• People policy implementation
• People metrics (e.g. performance, turnover)

Skills, know-how and experience:

Must have:

• Ability to quickly build strong working relationships with individual stakeholders and groups and become a trusted and credible strategic partner, coaching and influencing business leaders.
• Experience as a change leader with the ability to identify areas that would benefit from change and then drive this through to completion.
• Previous experience in a generalist HR role, having influenced line managers and driven/implemented HR strategy.
• Proven ability to operate in a matrixed business environment and within a People shared services model.
• Substantial knowledge and experience of best in class HR, covering the full HR cycle, systems, policies and relevant legislation, as well as of the business strategy and needs.
• Deep employee relations experience, with experience of negotiating productively with trade unions and works councils.
• Previous line management experience.
• Proficiency in English language, with strong verbal and written skills.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated success in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to learning through continuous educational development.

Technical / professional qualifications:

• Bachelors / Masters degree
• Functional qualification / membership of associated professional body (e.g. CIPD or equivalent)

Location: Woodmead, Johannesburg