People & Culture Lead - Africa

Location: Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria South Africa
Reports to: P&C Lead AMEP with dotted line to CEO South Africa Group

Geographical scope: Africa

Team leadership dimension: Leading HR team based out of South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Tanzania. 8 direct reports including Payroll, total team size 12. Total headcount ~1,000 employees based in 12 countries.

About SMEC & Surbana Jurong:

For 75 years, SMEC has built a reputation as a trusted partner on major transport and energy infrastructure projects around the world. Our design leaders and specialist teams draw on deep expertise and experience delivering projects across a range of diverse environments, from some of the world’s most remote locations to some of the densest urban surroundings.

SJ is a diverse collective of problem solvers for the built environment, continually reimagining ways to create a smart and sustainable future. A global urban, infrastructure and managed services consulting firm with over 70 years of track record in successful project delivery, SJ has built more than a million homes in Singapore, created master plans in more than 60 countries and developed over 100 industrial parks globally.

Position Purpose:

Aligned with SJ’s purpose and long-term strategic objectives, we are committed to employee-centricity in both our thinking and actions, aiming to deliver an exceptional experience for each colleague across Africa Middle East and Pakistan. This commitment is a cornerstone of our aspiration to become an employer of choice. The People & Culture team is uniquely positioned to deliver on this promise. Our strong presence and legacy in Africa, combined with the dynamic transformation and growth context within the SJ Group, offer a unique opportunity for you to contribute, learn and make a lasting impact. You will report to the Regional Lead AMEP, based in Dubai, UAE, with dotted line reporting into Regional Head South Africa.

Key Dimensions of the Role:

As the People & Culture Lead for the Africa team, you will partner with various business functions to develop and implement talent strategies that address current and future needs. Success in this role requires strong business acumen, talent management expertise, and the ability to influence stakeholders. Key responsibilities include strategic consulting, relationship management, and collaboration across the organization. You will also provide guidance on HR areas such as organizational development, resource planning, change leadership, talent acquisition, performance management, career development, total rewards, governance, diversity & inclusion, and employee engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an overall HR strategy aligned with the company’s business objectives and values.

• Partner with senior leadership to drive change management initiatives and align people strategies with business goals.

• Lead the development and execution of organizational design, talent management, and succession planning strategies.

• Provide insights and recommendations on workforce planning, talent management, and organizational design to drive business success.

• Manage, coach, and develop a team of diverse HR professionals across Africa.

• Effectively communicate HR initiatives, policies, and programs to all levels of the organization.

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and influence decision-making processes based on HR expertise and insights.

• Lead and facilitate change initiatives within the organization, ensuring effective communication and adoption of changes.

• Anticipate and address potential challenges or resistance to change through proactive planning and engagement.

• Facilitate large-scale, ongoing global transformation programs across Africa.

• Partner with leaders to identify current and future talent needs.

• Build robust leadership and functional talent pipelines to support the current and anticipated resourcing needs across teams and functions.

• Design and implement talent development programs, succession planning, and career development initiatives.

• Ensure effective performance management processes are in place, including coaching and feedback mechanisms.

• Lead HR projects from inception to completion, ensuring timelines, budgets, and objectives are met.

• Roll out global initiatives in Africa while developing and implementing local projects.

• Coordinate cross-functional teams and stakeholders to achieve project milestones.

• Act as a trusted advisor to leadership, line managers, and employees on HR-related matters.

• Foster and promote a positive, inclusive workplace culture that aligns with the organization’s values and supports employees in reaching their full potential.

• Handle employee relations matters, including conflict resolution, investigations, and disciplinary actions.

• Stay current with HR trends, external best practices, and industry developments.

• Lead the collection, analysis, and reporting of HR metrics to inform strategic decisions.

• Provide insights on workforce trends, retention, diversity, and other key performance indicators.

• Develop actionable plans to address HR challenges and opportunities based on data-driven insights.

• Ensure compliance with labour laws, regulations, and company policies across Africa.

• Develop and maintain HR policies and procedures, ensuring they are up-to-date with changes in regional labour laws and best practices.

• Maintain strong knowledge of B-BBEE and Employment Equity in the South Africa context.

• Mitigate HR-related risks through proactive audits, policy reviews, and adherence to best practices.

• Stakeholder engagement: Government authorities across Africa, subcontractors, contractors, suppliers, and industry associations.

• Internal: Regional leadership, line managers, employees across Africa, and peers from AMEP (Middle East & Pakistan) and global regions (Australia & New Zealand, Asia, USA, Europe & Central Asia).

Experience, Skills, and Personal Attributes:

• Minimum of 15 years of work experience, ideally in a generalist HR leadership role within a multinational in the Built/Professional Services sector.

• Proven functional expertise across all areas of modern HR management.

• Strategic thinker with a forward-looking mindset.

• Well-developed leadership and people management/development skills.

• Skilled in stakeholder management, particularly in a growing, dynamic environment with diverse portfolios and leadership.

• Proven business partnership capabilities, with the ability to build internal client networks, credibility, and trust.

• Strong consulting skills, with the ability to influence at all levels and develop meaningful relationships.

• Deep business acumen to understand competitive landscapes, key drivers of the business, and actions needed to execute business strategies.

• Strong project management skills.

• Excellent communication skills and a highly service-oriented approach.

• Ability to work autonomously, using initiative and discretion.

• Adaptable, cooperative work style that fosters cross-functional collaboration.

• Strong knowledge of South Africa’s employment laws and practices.

We are proud of the brilliant minds we have at SMEC and are committed to ensuring that our people have the best opportunities and resources to learn, grow and succeed. Our hiring decisions are guided by skills, qualifications and experience, ensuring fair and equitable access to opportunities for all. We are intentional about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, not as a requirement, but as a fundamental part of who we are. We strive to create a workplace where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are embraced, fresh ideas are encouraged, and everyone has the support they need to thrive. At SMEC, every individual has a voice, and through our commitment to engineering positive change, every contribution makes a difference.

At Surbana Jurong, we put talent, hard work, teamwork and a fun workplace together to approach problems and solve them creatively and collaboratively. Join us in making a positive impact on the world!