Job Description – Manager: Human Resource Business Partners (Post Level 6) (Job ID: 6564)
- Position: Manager: Human Resource Business Partners (Post Level 6)
- Department: Human Resources
- Division: Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations
- Institution: University of the Free State (UFS)
- Campus: Bloemfontein Campus
- Employment Type: Permanent
- Occupational Level: Middle Management
Job Purpose
The Manager: Human Resource Business Partners provides strategic leadership and direction to the Human Resource Business Partner (HRBP) function, ensuring that human capital strategies align with the University’s strategic objectives. The role partners with Executive Management to deliver integrated HR solutions, strengthen organisational capability, drive workforce planning, and promote organisational effectiveness through evidence-based human resource management.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Human Resource Leadership
- Lead and provide strategic direction for the Human Resource Business Partner function across the University.
- Develop and implement integrated human capital strategies aligned with institutional goals.
- Partner with Executive Management to support strategic planning and organisational priorities.
- Ensure the HRBP function delivers high-quality, client-centred services.
Human Capital Strategy
- Lead workforce planning initiatives to ensure the University has the required talent to achieve its objectives.
- Drive organisational design and organisational development initiatives.
- Develop and oversee talent management and succession planning programmes.
- Lead change management initiatives to support organisational transformation.
Human Resource Advisory Services
- Provide strategic advice on complex human resource, governance, workforce, and employee relations matters.
- Offer evidence-based recommendations to Executive Management.
- Support executive decision-making through workforce analytics and strategic reporting.
Team Leadership and Performance Management
- Lead, coach, mentor, and manage the Human Resource Business Partner team.
- Promote continuous improvement and professional development within the HRBP function.
- Monitor performance standards and service delivery outcomes.
Organisational Effectiveness
- Drive organisational performance through workforce analytics and human capital interventions.
- Monitor HR metrics and recommend improvement strategies.
- Lead strategic HR projects and institutional transformation initiatives.
Policy, Governance and Compliance
- Oversee the development, implementation, and review of HR policies and governance frameworks.
- Ensure compliance with labour legislation, employment legislation, and University policies.
- Lead HR risk management initiatives.
- Provide strategic oversight of employee and labour relations matters.
Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with:
- Executive Management
- Deans
- Executive Directors
- Directors
- Heads of Department
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve strategic HR objectives.
Strategic Projects and Innovation
- Lead digital transformation initiatives within Human Resources.
- Coordinate benchmarking and continuous improvement programmes.
- Identify opportunities to modernise HR processes and systems.
Reporting and Resource Management
- Prepare strategic reports, workforce analytics, and recommendations for Executive Management and governance structures.
- Manage the operational and financial resources of the Human Resource Business Partner function.
- Ensure effective budgeting and resource utilisation.
Minimum Requirements
- Honours Degree (NQF Level 8) in one of the following:
- Human Resource Management
- Industrial Psychology
- Organisational Psychology
- Business Administration
- Public Administration
- Or a related field.
- Minimum eight (8) years’ relevant Human Resources experience.
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
- Master’s degree in a related field.
- Registration with the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) as a Chartered HR Professional (CHRP) or equivalent professional designation.
- Experience within the higher education sector.
- Experience providing strategic HR advice to Executive Management.
- Experience leading:
- Workforce planning
- Organisational design
- Organisational development
- Change management initiatives
- Strong knowledge of:
- Employment legislation
- HR governance
- Institutional policy development
- Experience in workforce analytics and evidence-based decision-making.
Required Competencies
Technical Competencies
- Strategic Human Resource Management.
- Workforce planning and talent management.
- Organisational design and development.
- Change management.
- Employee and labour relations.
- HR governance and policy development.
- Employment legislation compliance.
- Workforce analytics and HR reporting.
- Financial and operational management.
- Project management.
- Digital transformation in HR.
- Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic thinking and planning.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Sound decision-making.
- Leadership and people management.
- Coaching and mentoring.
- Change leadership.
- Business partnering and influencing skills.
- Stakeholder relationship management.
- Negotiation and conflict resolution.
- Results orientation.
- High ethical standards and integrity.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.