Director: Employee Relations and Wellness (N000753) at North West University

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Alignment

• Develop and oversee the implementation of Employee Relations and Employee Wellness strategies aligned to the University's strategy and People Strategy.
• Provide strategic advice to executive leadership on labour relations, employee wellbeing, legislative developments and emerging workforce risks.
• Ensure effective governance frameworks, policies and practices that promote compliance, fairness and organisational sustainability.
• Monitor and report on employee relations and wellness trends, risks and strategic interventions.

Employee Relations Management

• Lead the University's employee relations function, ensuring effective management of disciplinary, grievance, incapacity, dispute resolution and conflict management processes.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on labour legislation, case law, policy interpretation and employee relations matters.
• Oversee complex and high-risk employee relations cases, including CCMA, bargaining council and Labour Court matters where required.
• Monitor employee relations trends and implement proactive interventions to mitigate organisational risk and strengthen workplace relations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable labour legislation, collective agreements, institutional policies and governance requirements.
• Coordinate employee relations audits, reviews and reporting requirements.

Employee Relations and Wellness Research

• Monitor and analyse developments in labour legislation, case law, higher education trends and employee wellness practices.
• Conduct research and provide strategic insights that inform policy development, decision-making and institutional practice.
• Benchmark employee relations and wellness practices against leading institutions and emerging best practice.
• Provide thought leadership on workplace wellbeing, employee engagement and healthy organisational cultures.

Employee Wellness and Management

• Provide strategic oversight of the University's Employee Wellness Programme.
• Develop and implement wellness frameworks, policies and initiatives that promote employee wellbeing, resilience and productivity.
• Monitor organisational wellbeing indicators and recommend targeted interventions.
• Oversee incapacity management processes and support services.
• Represent the University on relevant wellness, health and wellbeing forums and committees.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of wellness initiatives and programmes.

Labour Relations and Stakeholder Management

• Lead collective bargaining, consultation and negotiation processes with recognised labour unions.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with organised labour and key internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate the conclusion, implementation and monitoring of collective agreements.
• Advise executive leadership on labour relations risks, negotiation strategies and stakeholder engagement approaches.
• Represent the University on employee relations, labour relations and human rights-related forums and committees.
• Promote effective communication, consultation and dispute prevention mechanisms across the institution.

Management and Leadership Result Areas

• Lead and develop a high-performing Employee Relations and Wellness team.
• Ensure effective workforce planning, performance management and staff development within the portfolio.
• Manage budgets, resources, systems and service delivery standards.
• Ensure effective risk management, governance and reporting within the function.
• Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Collective Bargaining and Negotiation.
• Employment Legislation and Regulatory Compliance.
• Employee Wellness and Wellbeing Management.
• Policy Development and Governance.
• Strategic Planning and Alignment.
• Stakeholder and Union Relationship Management.
• Risk Management and Advisory Services.
• Financial and Resource Management.

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic and Systems Thinking.
• Leadership and Accountability.
• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving.
• Influencing and Negotiation.
• Relationship Building and Collaboration.
• Service Orientation.
• Innovation and Change Agility.
• Professional Integrity and Ethical Conduct.

Minimum requirements

• A master’s degree (NQF Level 9) in Labour Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management, Employee Relations, Labour Law (LLM) or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in senior leadership in Employee / Labour Relations within Higher Education or comparable complex, unionised environment.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in management of ER function including collective bargaining, dispute resolution and policy.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in ER / IR practice including CCMA and disciplinary / grievance management.

Added Advantages:

• Experience working in a higher education institution or a similarly complex public-sector environment.
• Admission as a legal practitioner.
• Membership of the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) or the South African Reward Association (SARA).

CLOSING DATE:07 October 2026