Manager: People Operations

About The Role

Driving operational excellence behind every employee experience  

What You’ll Be Responsible For

You’ll operate at both strategic and executional levels, leading: 

🔹 Operational Strategy & Execution 

• Translate People Operations strategy into scalable operational plans 


• Govern end-to-end employee lifecycle processes and workflows 


• Drive consistency through SLAs, frameworks, and operating standards 

🔹 Governance, Risk & Compliance 

• Lead enterprise HR compliance, audit readiness, and risk mitigation 


• Own data governance frameworks and ensure POPIA and regulatory alignment 


• Strengthen controls, validation processes, and data integrity 

🔹 Systems, Automation & Continuous Improvement 

• Drive a digital-first HR operating model 


• Optimise HR systems (SAP SuccessFactors) and payroll integrations 


• Lead automation, workflow optimisation and process re-engineering 

🔹 Payroll & Master Data Integrity 

• Oversee payroll readiness and upstream dependencies 


• Ensure accurate, audit-ready payroll outcomes 


• Own employee master data governance and data quality standards 

🔹 Leadership & Stakeholder Management 

• Lead a multi-disciplinary People Operations team 


• Partner with HR, Finance, Risk, IT and external providers 


• Influence enterprise-wide adoption of operational standards 


• Influence enterprise-wide adoption of operational standards 

What You’ll Bring

Experience & Expertise 

• 8+ years in HR Operations / People Operations / Shared Services in a medium‑to‑large organisation.  


• Experience leading complex HR operational environments 


• Strong exposure to HRIS (SAP SuccessFactors), payroll and integrations 


• Proven track record in governance, risk and compliance 


• Experience driving large-scale automation and operational transformation

Knowledge 

• HR lifecycle and operational frameworks 


• Data governance and HRIS architecture 


• Payroll processes, compliance and audit environments 


• Process engineering / continuous improvement methodologies 

 What sets you apart 

• Strong systems thinker with a detail-oriented mindset 


• Comfortable operating in complexity and driving structure 


• Passion for optimisation, efficiency, and accuracy at scale 


• Ability to influence at senior leadership and governance forums 

Why This Role Matters

This role ensures that every employee experience is built on a foundation of operational excellence - accurate data, compliant processes, and scalable systems that enable the business to grow confidently.