Director: Client Services (N001238)
Listing reference: nwu_001923
Listing status: Under Review
Apply by: 17 August 2023
Position summary
Industry: Education & Training
Job category: HR Management
Location: Potchefstroom
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.
Introduction
NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS)
DIVISION: PEOPLE & CULTURE
DIRECTORATE: CLIENT SERVICES
POSITION: DIRECTOR
POSITION NUMBER: N001238
PEROMNES: P5
APPOINTMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT
Job description
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
The Director of Client Services plays a strategic leadership role within the People and Culture department, focusing on aligning HR initiatives with the overall business goals and objectives of the organization. This position serves as a key advisor to senior management and collaborates with business leaders to develop and implement HR strategies that drive organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and business growth. The Director of Client Services is a critical role that requires a strategic thinker with exceptional HR expertise and business acumen. They must be proactive, adaptable, and capable of driving cultural change while contributing to the overall success of the organization.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategy implementation:
- Provide strategic direction and guidance to the Client Services team in alignment with the organization's overall vision and mission.
- Develop and take joint accountability for implementation of a preventative and integrated Client Services strategy with measurable results, improving the overall physical, mental health and wellbeing of staff.
- Plan for the Client Services HR Function.
- Develop and Align the Client Service Strategy with the organisational strategy, goals and
- Oversee the implementation of the Client Services Strategy.
- Strategically position and facilitate the marketing and promotion of the NWU’s assessments and related service offerings to the organisation.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Maintain strategic relationships for purposes of expectation management, knowledge sharing and integration.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior executives and business leaders, building strong relationships and understanding the unique needs and challenges of different business units (faculties and divisions).
- Consult with all stakeholders in developing and maintaining Client Services policies and procedures that support organisation and compliance initiatives.
- Foster a positive and inclusive work culture by driving employee engagement initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and developing programs that enhance employee experience and satisfaction.
- Ensure that suitable HR-related information is available for campus managers in support of decision making.
- Represent NWU at internal and external identified forums to influence the implementation of legislative and strategic imperatives.
HR Business Partnering and Reporting:
- Develop and implement a service culture that builds rewarding relationships, proposes innovations and allows others to provide exceptional client service.
- Manage the availability of HR business intelligence for decision making across NWU
- Utilize data-driven insights to assess HR effectiveness, identify trends, and recommend actionable strategies to improve workforce performance and productivity.
- Analyse HR data to increase understanding of trends, and design and implement appropriate action steps in consultation with affected role-players.
- Ensure that the business partner role manifests itself in a coherent manner across the University
- Establish and manage performance against HR metrics defined in the service standards of the P&C service charter.
- Provide leadership for the implementation and ongoing management of People and Culture policies, processes, initiatives and programmes to support the Faculties and Support Functions.
- Enforce alignment and implementation of HR functional delivery as per governance and operating model in respect of practice process and technology/systems.
- Research, benchmark, consult and agree on people practices and processes.
- Execute the legally compliant, ethical assessment practices against the NWU competency framework.
- Assume overall responsibility for implementation of People and Culture initiatives and programmes at a decentralised level.
- Provide high-level reporting to management as and when required.
Talent Acquisition and Retention:
- Develop and implements talent attraction, retention and strategic sourcing strategies to ensure the organization recruits, on-boards, develops, nurtures and retains its key, high-performing employees, in particular ones with specialised, critical and scarce skills.
- Execute the legally compliant, ethical assessment practices against the NWU competency framework.
- Develop & implement the staff psychometric assessment policy.
- Developing a Service Delivery Improvement Plan based on inputs received in the Administration processes associated with resourcing.
- Ensure that appointments are made in line with the employment equity legislations and policies.
Talent Management and Organisational Development:
- Partner with business leaders to identify workforce needs and gaps, develop workforce plans, and implement talent strategies that ensure the organization has the right skills and capabilities to achieve its goals.
- Lead and support change management efforts within the organization, ensuring smooth transitions during periods of organizational change or restructuring.
- Support the centres of excellence in the design and implementation of employee development programs, career pathways, and succession planning initiatives to foster a strong leadership pipeline.
- Foster a positive and inclusive work culture by driving employee engagement initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and developing programs that enhance employee experience and satisfaction.
- Jointly accountable with L&D to educate and develop line managers to assist them in delivering their People Management responsibilities.
Performance Management:
- Advise line managers on the NWU performance management processes, in line with the policy and guidelines.
- Continuously motivate business leaders to utilise the performance management system as a powerful tool to ensure performance objectives and standards are SMARTER, implemented, executed, and appraised in line with the NWU’s Annual Performance Plan (APP), its strategy and the relevant individual developmental goals.
- Manage the probation and onboarding process.
Remuneration and HR Administration:
- Collaborate, benchmark, consult and agree on best practice policies and processes with Remuneration and HR Administration division.
- Oversee the implementation of policies and procedures and strategies for effective and efficient reward, recognition, and Benefit Management from a Client Service perspective.
- Acts as an interface between line management and employees in the implementation of remuneration programmes. Provide first line guidance and direction on benefits programmes.
- Collaborate with Remuneration and HR Administration division in the capacitation of the entire organisation on Remuneration and Benefits Structures.
Employee Relations & Wellness:
- Ensure HR policies, practices, and procedures comply with relevant laws and regulations. Mitigate HR-related risks and provide guidance on employee relations matters.
- Ensure the execution of processes related to disciplinary actions, grievances, and crises management in line with the Behavioural Manual.
- Advise on problem solving, disciplinary and grievance cases, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, litigation, conflict management and mediation.
Management and Leadership Results Areas:
- Manage the team composition, effectiveness, and efficiency.
- Maintain stakeholder relationship development and effectiveness.
- Ensure corporate governance conformance, reporting and risk management.
- Establish and manage performance against HR metrics defined in the service standards of the P&C service charter.
- Develop and manage the Client Services budget, allocating resources effectively to support HR initiatives and maximize return on investment.
- Oversee financial management, management of Shared services related costs.
- Manage the unit processes and systems, utilisation, effectiveness, and efficiency.
- Personal effectiveness, wholeness, and development
- Values-based behaviour leadership and personal compliance.
Minimum requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- A Bachelor’s degree (NQF level 7) in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
- An honours degree (NQF level 8) in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
- A minimum of 4 years’ specialist experience within a human resources business partnering role.
- A minimum of 4 years’ management experience.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- A Master's degree in HR or Business Management is advantageous.
- Experience in a university environment.
- SABPP/HPCSA or other HR related memberships.
KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:
- Proven experience in driving HR strategies that align with business goals and positively impact organizational performance.
- In-depth knowledge of HR best practices, employment laws, and industry trends.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to leverage HR data and analytics for evidence-based decision-making.
- Experience in managing complex HR projects and change management initiatives.
- Ability to work under pressure and act in a disciplined manner.
KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
- Good communication skills.
- Critical thinking.
- Strong decision-making skills.
- Strong business acumen
- Leadership and Management.
- Conflict Resolution.
- Empathy
- Ethics and Integrity.
- Leading and Supervising.
- Relationship Management.
- Results driven.
- Persuading and influencing.
REMUNERATION:
The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Prof Mala Singh on 018 299 4971
ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Mr Milton Nyamadzawo on 018 285 2688
CLOSING DATE: 17 August 2023
COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: As soon as possible
Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website.
Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.
The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.
The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
