Head of People

Role Purpose

The Head of People provides strategic leadership and governance oversight for all people-related practices within the school. The role ensures legal compliance, organisational effectiveness, and cultural alignment, while supporting long-term sustainability.

As a senior advisor to the Principal and Board, the role focuses on strengthening organisational culture, rebuilding trust, embedding a clear Employee Value Proposition (EVP), and enabling leadership to effectively manage and support their teams.

Key Performance Areas

1. Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Develop and implement a people strategy aligned to organisational goals
• Advise the Principal and Board on people matters
• Establish governance frameworks, policies, and controls
• Ensure compliance with South African labour legislation
• Identify and mitigate people-related risks

2. Culture, Ethics & Trust

• Strengthen organisational culture and ethical standards
• Implement trust-building and engagement initiatives
• Promote transparency and employee listening mechanisms
• Support fair and consistent management of conduct issues

3. Employee Value Proposition & Remuneration

• Define and implement a clear EVP
• Oversee remuneration and benefits frameworks
• Ensure alignment between pay, policies, and organisational values
• Support workforce planning and employee retention

4. Change Management & Organisational Effectiveness

• Lead and support organisational change initiatives
• Develop structured change management plans
• Support leadership through transitions and uncertainty
• Promote alignment and organisational effectiveness

5. Leadership Enablement & Employee Lifecycle

• Coach and support leaders in people management
• Strengthen capability in performance, conduct, and development
• Oversee end-to-end employee lifecycle processes
• Enhance employee engagement, experience, and wellbeing

6. Stakeholder Engagement & Risk Management

• Build strong relationships across all organisational levels
• Provide guidance on complex people matters
• Identify and manage people-related risks
• Align people practices with organisational strategy

Key Skills & Competencies

Strategic Leadership

• Strategic thinking and organisational insight
• Strong decision-making and systems thinking

Governance & Compliance

• Knowledge of South African labour law
• Risk management and policy development

Change & Organisational Development

• Change leadership and culture transformation
• Resilience and adaptability

Leadership Coaching

• Coaching and advisory capability
• Emotional intelligence and professional maturity

Stakeholder Engagement

• Relationship building and influencing skills
• Executive presence and negotiation ability

Culture & Ethics

• Integrity, fairness, and ethical leadership
• Ability to build trust and credibility

Communication

• Strong verbal and written communication
• Ability to manage complex and sensitive conversations

Business Acumen

• Understanding of workforce planning and operations
• Analytical and pragmatic decision-making

Personal Attributes

• High integrity and professionalism
• Emotional maturity and sound judgement
• Discretion and confidentiality
• Confidence and credibility at executive level
• Calmness under pressure
• Strong accountability and ownership

Please send your updated CV to ***email_hidden*** to be considered.