Employee Relations Manager

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An exciting position of Employee Relations Manager exists in Santam. This role may be based at Head Office Tygervalley or Alice Lane Sandton and reports directly to the Head:
Human Capital Delivery.

The role develops and directs implementation of plans, policies, and processes affecting employee relations within the Santam Group. The incumbent is accountable for advice and recommendations, as well as for the coordination and support of labour relationships, while promoting sound business labour relations for the Santam group. Furthermore, the role is required to ensure HC complies with regulations and plays an oversight role thereof.

Provide sound Employee Relations

• Provide a consultancy and advisory service to HC and Line managers on employee relations matters, including any aspect of employment law or policy that impacts the employment relationship
• Identify, communicate and mitigate legal, financial and reputational risk to Santam by ensuring fair outcomes
• Draft contracts, policies, procedures and practices aligned to labour legislation, court precedents, collective agreements as required
• Management of collective bargaining with the Union/s on behalf of the Company to ensure effective negotiation and consultation on employee relations matters
• Analysis of employee data to assess ER trends and reporting and providing feedback to the HR leadership and Santam Senior Management team
• Representing Santam at external dispute resolution forums (eg. CCMA) on individual and collective ER matters
• Ensure advice provided to HCBP team and line managers are in line with agreed SLA
• Facilitate the upskilling of HCBP’s and other key stakeholders on latest employee relations and legislative changes
• Communicate and implement the latest SA Labour legislation ensuring compliance by all stakeholders

Employee Relations Reporting

• Implement and maintain a comprehensive ER administration system
• Maintain an electronic library of all Santam employee relations cases for referral

Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain effective relationships with HCBP team, Santam management, trade union and external partners
• Ensure that stakeholders are supported in their communication, consultation and negotiations including managerial staff restructuring and redundancy processes
• Manage ad hoc projects that are aligned to the annual priorities and HR strategy

• Bachelor’s degree (HRM or Law)
• Post graduate degree in Human resources (Employee relations majors)
• Admitted attorney specialising in Employment Law
• Knowledge of all applicable labour legislation in South Africa
• At least 5 years’ experience related experience (including CCMA rules, processes and cases)
• Experience in engaging with key business and external partners across all levels (including senior levels)
• Ability to travel regularly

• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Strong co-ordination, prioritisation, organisational and planning skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills across all levels
• Results orientated, pro-active and deadline driven
• High stress tolerance
• Strong quality and client service orientation
• Dealing with confidentiality
• Report writing skills
• Ability to ‘think-out-of-the-box’ / lateral thinking
• High initiative/self-starter/proactive and anticipate requirements
• Professionalism, excellent judgement, use of discretion and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work and make decisions independently
• Computer literate (Excel, Word and PowerPoint)

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Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. As a large, diversified, and expanding company, we are committed to transformation and growth. While…