Head of People at Robert Walters

• An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of People to join a forward thinking organisation in Cape Town, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. This pivotal role is designed for someone who is passionate about shaping and executing people strategies that empower teams and drive business growth.
• As the company enters its next phase, you will be instrumental in designing and implementing procedures that foster an inclusive, supportive, and high performing environment.
• The position offers the chance to work closely with senior leaders, influence organisational culture, and ensure every employee can thrive at their optimal level.
• If you are looking for a role where your expertise in human resources, talent acquisition, and team development will make a tangible impact, this is your moment to shine.
• Flexible working opportunities and a commitment to professional growth make this an ideal setting for those who value collaboration, empathy, and shared success.
• Play a key strategic role in shaping the future of the organisation’s people function by partnering with executive leadership on all aspects of employee experience, from professional development to performance reviews.
• Lead and nurture a compassionate HR team that supports business expansion across multiple markets while preserving and evolving a unique organisational culture.
• Drive comprehensive talent acquisition strategies and onboarding processes that attract, retain, and motivate top talent within a supportive and collaborative environment.

What you'll do:

• As Head of People, you will play an integral part in shaping how the organisation attracts, develops, and retains its most valuable asset, its people. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve collaborating with senior leaders to craft strategies that enhance employee engagement while supporting business objectives. You will lead efforts to build a nurturing HR team that grows alongside the company’s expansion into new markets. By developing robust recruitment frameworks and onboarding experiences, you will ensure every new hire feels welcomed and empowered from day one. Overseeing office resources will allow you to create environments where teams can collaborate effectively. Most importantly, you will champion an inclusive culture rooted in empathy, ensuring every voice is heard as the organisation continues its journey of growth.
• Collaborate closely with the leadership team and managers to provide guidance on all people related matters including professional development initiatives, performance management processes, employee relations, and organisational development.
• Design and implement effective procedures and guidelines that align with broad company policies to support the overall people strategy and enable business growth.
• Build, mentor, and grow a high-EQ, low-ego HR & People team capable of scaling alongside the business as it expands into new markets.
• Develop comprehensive recruiting strategies in partnership with technical recruiting teams to attract exceptional talent while ensuring retention through motivation and engagement programmes.
• Work collaboratively with recruiters and team members to structure an outstanding onboarding experience that sets new employees up for long-term success within the organisation.
• Oversee facilities management and office resources to ensure that physical workspaces evolve in line with the changing needs of the company as it grows.
• Champion the preservation and evolution of the organisation’s distinctive culture so it remains inclusive, supportive, and scalable over time.
• Support managers in fostering positive employee relations by providing empathetic advice on conflict resolution, feedback mechanisms, and career progression pathways.
• Monitor industry best practices in human resources to ensure continuous improvement of internal processes and maintain compliance with relevant regulations.
• Act as a trusted advisor to both employees and leadership by demonstrating high levels of personal empathy, understanding diverse perspectives, and promoting open communication.

​​​​​​​What you bring:

• To excel as Head of People, you will bring extensive experience from roles focused on supporting teams through periods of rapid change or growth. Your background may include time spent within start-ups or scale-ups where you have honed your ability to adapt quickly while remaining committed to best practice standards.
• You possess not only technical expertise in human resources but also a deep sense of empathy enabling you to understand what motivates individuals at every stage of their career journey.
• Your approach is grounded in collaboration; you thrive when working cross-functionally to solve challenges related to recruitment, onboarding or cultural evolution.
• With strong communication skills and an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, you are adept at building trust among colleagues while guiding them through complex situations.
• Your proven ability to manage both people processes and physical workspaces ensures seamless operations as the company continues its upward trajectory.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in highly people- or team-oriented roles such as human resources management, business operations or consulting within fast-growing environments.
• Demonstrated background working with high-growth businesses or start-ups where adaptability and flexibility are essential for success.
• Proven ability to manage teams either as a direct supervisor or through influence as a player & coach supporting others even without formal authority.
• Relevant degree or equivalent practical experience supported by HR-related qualifications that reflect best practice knowledge in people management.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills underpinned by genuine empathy for colleagues at all levels within an organisation.
• Experience designing or refining onboarding processes that help new hires integrate smoothly into company culture.
• Track record of building collaborative relationships across departments to deliver impactful people solutions aligned with organisational goals.
• Ability to oversee facilities management ensuring workspaces remain conducive to productivity as business needs evolve.
• Strong understanding of current trends in talent acquisition coupled with hands-on involvement in developing recruitment strategies for technical roles.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality while handling sensitive employee matters with discretion.