Head of Human Resources

African Leadership Academy is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of HR to lead the organization’s people functions, unlock potential and execute our strategic vision.

About African Leadership Academy

Since 2008, African Leadership Academy (ALA) has sought to identify, develop and connect the most promising young leaders on the African continent, organizing them into a powerful community of ethical and effective collaborative action. More than fifteen years into the journey, the organization has built a powerful track record of impact. Our campus community serves 250+ young leaders from across the continent each year. Our pan-African programs in entrepreneurship and impactful careers serve hundreds more. Through these young leaders, we are already impacting thousands of Africans as we pursue a vision of lasting peace and shared prosperity.

As a leadership development organization and as a learning community, people drive our work. Our 160 dedicated staff and faculty (“staffulty”), representing diverse backgrounds and experiences, work together to make ALA's mission a reality. This January we launched our next 3-year strategy, identifying human capital as a key enabling pillar of our success. Similar to our investment in developing students, we are committed to building a human capital engine that makes ALA an excellent place for professional growth. The Head of Human Resources will play a crucial role in - implementing the Great Place to Grow priority as we strive to become an employer of choice.

The Roles & Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day HR operations: The Head of HR will lead the operational delivery of transactional human resources at ALA, including (but not limited to) recruitment, hiring, and onboarding; compensation, benefits, payroll, and leave; performance and talent management; leadership and development; as well as compliance and reporting. The Head of HR will manage a team of 3 HR professionals and will set and manage the HR operational budget.

Excellence in Service: The Head of HR will lead the HR department to drive and achieve operational excellence in service delivery across the entire employee lifecycle, from recruitment to exit. They will ensure effective management of HR systems and technology, leveraging data-driven insights to continuously enhance HR processes and internal customer service.

Advisor to Managers & Executives: The Head of HR will serve as a thought partner and advisor to managers and executives. By collaborating closely with leadership, they will ensure that ALA's talent practices, including recruitment and retention, are reflective of our culture and strategy, and that ALA continually attracts & retains top talent.

Champion Learning & Development: The Head of HR will foster a culture of high performance across the organization by ensuring that staff and faculty are learning and growing in their roles. The Head of HR will oversee ALA’s approach to learning and development and will coordinate regular training and upskilling sessions for individuals and teams.

Compliance: The Head of HR is the custodian of ALA HR policies and plays a key role in managing HR policies that comply with legal requirements and reflect ALA’s mission and values. These policies cover a wide range of areas such as employee conduct, diversity and inclusion, workplace safety, and benefits. The Head of HR will ensure that these policies are updated on a regular basis and communicated clearly to the organization.

Skills and Profile of Ideal Candidate

• Bachelor's degree in a commercially relevant field.
• Proven track record of leadership in human resources management, talent acquisition, and talent development with 5-7 years of leading an HR team.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, with a track record of building and leading successful HR teams.
• Deep knowledge of HR processes and practices, including compensation and benefits, performance management, and employee relations.
• Proven ability to design and implement innovative programs and initiatives that drive employee engagement and performance.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant policies, procedures, and best practices, including employment laws and regulations.

Reporting: This role reports to the Chief Executive Officer

Location: ALA Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa

Anticipated Start Date: January 2025