Position Title: Director: Human Resources Client Services

Requisition ID: 865

Department: Human Resources

City: Cape Town

DIRECTOR: HUMAN RESOURCES CLIENT SERVICES

(Payclass 13, Peromnes 5)

HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

At the University of Cape Town (UCT) nearly 6 700 talented employees work together in a vibrant and stimulating environment to ensure that UCT remains the best in and for Africa. Colleagues are deeply committed to UCT’s sustainability, excellence and transformation. Academic and Professional, Administrative Support and Service (PASS) staff collaborate daily to ensure that UCT’s academic project, which includes teaching, learning, and research, is being delivered effectively. The university offers a diverse and inclusive community in which to work towards achieving its Vision 2030 goals.

UCT, a research-intensive university that is consistently acknowledged as one of the finest universities in Africa, is seeking to appoint a Director: Human Resources (HR) Client Services. The incumbent will be the head of the client engagement/business partnering function within HR, which forms the core of the HR client-centric service model adopted by UCT. HR Client Services (HRCS) is the front-line, client-facing section of the HR service and represents HR to the client as part of the end-to-end HR value chain. The key purpose of HRCS is to ensure the alignment and integration of HR as part of the business strategy of UCT by creating human resource agendas and leading HR approaches with the aim of achieving the University's strategic objectives. At UCT, our operational structure is devolved, encompassing both academic and administrative business units. The incumbent of this role is accountable to the Executive Director for HR.

Requirements for the job:

A bachelor’s degree (NQF 7) in HR or relevant discipline.
A minimum of 12 years’ broad experience in HR, of which a minimum of 5 years should be at a senior management level in a large scale, complex HR generalist environment.
Comprehensive exposure and experience of current legislation, policies governing HR practice and industry best practice.
Experience in creating effective communication platforms to drive effective service delivery.
Strategic capability (policy/process design & formulation) and outlook.
Extensive human resource management experience in a unionised environment.
Experience of managing, leading and developing professional HR teams within a complex and dynamic working environment.
Experience of delivering measurable and visible improvements in HR service quality and fostering a strong customer service ethic.
Experience of analysing, using, and presenting complex people information in a variety of formats to a range of audiences.
Project management experience where innovative HR solutions have been delivered, both personally and through others.
Experience in leading through change and knowledge of change management principles and methodologies in a complex environment.

The following will be advantageous:

Experience with engaging and liaising with external stakeholders.
Membership of SABPP/SASLAW or relevant organizations.

Responsibilities:

Lead and provide end to end oversight to the HRCS team;
Ensure that all programs, procedures, approaches adopted, and advice provided to clients by HRCS remain aligned and further the achievement of the UCT Vision, Strategy and Values;
Collaborate with, guide as well as spearhead, with the UCT leaders, executives, and the relevant HR centers of excellence the development of fit for purpose HR strategies, policies and approaches, to attract, develop, and retain talent in the Faculties/Professional, Administrative Support & Service staff (PASS) Departments;
Act as a strategic thought partner to the executive and senior management to ensure translation of business objectives to human capital strategies;
Ensure HR’s immersion in the client base and the provision of HR advice to clients in multiple departments, faculties, and research institutes;
Partner with the HR leadership team on planning and delivering HR programs and services to the business;
Mitigate risk to UCT and operate as a trusted advisor to the executive and senior management serving as the expert on people and organizational issues;
Navigate challenges in the dynamic University space and be comfortable in a fast-paced environment with significant change; employing only the necessary HR processes that enable the organization to innovate and grow; and

Sound judgement and the ability to weigh up the effects of a decision and evaluate the likely knock-on effects. To consider alternatives and to recognise the sensitivities and risks, and frame decisions to take account of them.

The annual cost of employment, including benefits, is between R 1 273 271 and R 1 497 965.

To apply, please visit the UCT Jobs site to create a candidate profile and to submit your application. Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Cover letter that speaks to the specific requirements of the position.
Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address and telephone number.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo competency assessments and references may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

Any enquiries for the position to be addressed to Ms Hlubi Ntsizi at recruitment07@uct.ac.za or 021 650 2163.

Closing Date: 30 October 2024

UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at https://uct.ac.za/media/9482.

UCT reserves the right not to appoint.