HR Officer – Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Hire Resolve is currently recruiting for an experienced and professional HR Officer to join a leading professional rugby union team based in Durban. This is a permanent opportunity suited for a highly organized Human Resources professional who has strong knowledge of South African labour legislation, employee relations, compliance, payroll support, and performance management processes. The successful candidate will play a very important role in supporting the daily HR operations of a high-performance sporting environment competing in the United Rugby Championship and European Professional Club Rugby competitions.

The organisation is looking for an individual who can effectively manage the full employee lifecycle while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and compliance with all relevant employment laws and HR best practices. The role requires someone who can work in a fast-paced environment where multitasking, communication, and attention to detail are essential.

Job Information

• Position: HR Officer
• Company: Hire Resolve
• Location: Durban
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Industry: Sports
• Functional Area: Human Resources
• Experience Level: Mid-Senior
• Salary: R480 000 – R600 000 per annum

This opportunity is ideal for candidates who are passionate about Human Resources and who enjoy working in a dynamic and energetic sporting environment. Working within professional sports often requires flexibility, discipline, and the ability to manage people from different backgrounds and departments.

About the Role

The HR Officer will be responsible for overseeing and managing a wide range of Human Resources functions within the organisation. Human Resources departments are responsible for ensuring that employees are properly recruited, supported, developed, and managed throughout their employment journey within a company. In modern businesses, HR professionals are no longer only responsible for hiring employees, but they also contribute to employee wellbeing, legal compliance, workplace culture, performance management, and organizational development.

In this role, the successful candidate will handle everything from recruitment and onboarding to disciplinary procedures, payroll support, compliance reporting, leave administration, training coordination, and employee benefits management. The role also includes responsibilities related to industrial relations and labour law compliance, making it ideal for candidates with strong knowledge of South African labour legislation.

The successful HR Officer will need to maintain a balance between employee wellbeing and organizational requirements while ensuring that all HR procedures are conducted fairly and professionally.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment and Talent Acquisition

One of the major responsibilities of the HR Officer will be managing the recruitment process from start to finish. Recruitment is a critical function in any organization because hiring the right employees contributes significantly to business success.

The successful candidate will:

• Advertise vacancies on appropriate platforms
• Screen applications and shortlist suitable candidates
• Coordinate interviews with managers and stakeholders
• Conduct reference checks and assessments
• Prepare employment offers and onboarding documentation
• Facilitate smooth onboarding processes for new employees

The recruitment process requires strong communication skills and the ability to identify individuals who fit both the technical requirements of the position and the culture of the organisation.

Employee Induction and Onboarding

The HR Officer will coordinate induction programmes for all newly appointed employees. Employee induction is important because it helps new staff members understand company policies, procedures, expectations, workplace culture, and operational structures.

A good induction programme often improves employee retention and productivity because employees feel welcomed and informed from the beginning of their employment.

Offboarding and Exit Procedures

The role also involves managing offboarding procedures when employees resign, retire, or leave the organisation. This includes:

• Conducting professional exit interviews
• Recovering company assets
• Updating HR records
• Processing termination documentation
• Ensuring compliance with labour regulations

Exit interviews are useful because they provide feedback that can help the organisation improve employee satisfaction and retention strategies in the future.

Human Resources Administration

The HR Officer will be responsible for maintaining accurate and updated employee records and documentation. This includes drafting and updating:

• Employment contracts
• Service level agreements
• HR policies and procedures
• Job descriptions
• Employee correspondence

Proper HR administration is very important because it ensures that the organisation remains compliant with labour legislation and maintains clear communication with employees.

The candidate must have strong attention to detail because even small errors in HR documentation can create legal or operational problems for the company.

Industrial Relations and Labour Law

Industrial Relations is one of the most important areas of Human Resources in South Africa. Labour legislation in South Africa is comprehensive and designed to protect both employees and employers.

The successful candidate will:

• Handle disciplinary hearings
• Manage grievances and disputes
• Conduct workplace investigations
• Represent the company at the CCMA
• Ensure procedural and substantive fairness during disciplinary processes

Knowledge of South African labour laws such as the Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Employment Equity Act, and POPIA will be essential for this role.

The company is looking for someone who can manage sensitive employee matters professionally while maintaining fairness and confidentiality.

Compliance and Reporting

The HR Officer will act as the POPI Deputy Officer and help ensure compliance with South African legislation and regulatory requirements. Compliance responsibilities include:

• Employment Equity reporting
• BBBEE compliance processes
• Skills development and SETA reporting
• Workplace Skills Plans submission
• Labour law compliance monitoring

Employment Equity and BBBEE compliance remain very important in South Africa because they contribute to workplace transformation, equal opportunities, and skills development.

The successful candidate will also prepare reports required by government departments and regulatory bodies.

Payroll and Leave Administration

The HR Officer will support payroll operations by overseeing:

• Weekly wages
• Overtime calculations
• Match-day payments
• Casual staff payments
• Payroll-related reconciliations

Payroll administration requires accuracy because employees depend on receiving correct and timely salaries. Mistakes in payroll can affect employee morale and create unnecessary disputes.

The candidate will also manage employee leave administration through the ESS system. This includes:

• Approving leave requests
• Reconciling leave balances
• Monitoring absenteeism
• Ensuring accurate reporting

Leave management is important because it helps businesses maintain productivity while also ensuring employees receive their legal leave entitlements.

Employee Benefits and Wellness

The HR Officer will assist in managing employee benefit schemes and coordinating healthcare-related matters such as:

• Discovery medical aid support
• GAP cover coordination
• Injury on Duty claims
• COIDA administration through Compeasy

This part of the role requires empathy and professionalism because employees often require guidance and support during medical or injury-related situations.

Training and Development

Training and development are essential for improving employee performance and supporting career growth. The HR Officer will coordinate:

• Employee training programmes
• Learnerships
• Skills development initiatives
• SETA-funded projects

Investing in employee development helps organizations improve productivity, retain talented employees, and remain competitive within their industries.

The successful candidate must be able to identify training needs and coordinate development opportunities that align with organizational objectives.

Performance Management

The HR Officer will coordinate the annual performance management cycle. Performance management helps organisations evaluate employee performance, identify strengths and weaknesses, and create development plans.

Responsibilities may include:

• Coordinating performance reviews
• Assisting managers with appraisals
• Monitoring performance improvement plans
• Ensuring consistency and fairness

Strong performance management processes often improve employee accountability and organizational performance.

Fleet and Attendance Management

The role also includes responsibilities related to fleet management and employee attendance monitoring.

Fleet responsibilities include:

• Coordinating vehicle inspections
• Scheduling maintenance
• Liaising with service providers
• Ensuring vehicles remain operational and compliant

Attendance monitoring involves:

• Tracking punctuality
• Monitoring attendance records
• Enforcing workplace attendance policies

These responsibilities require strong organizational skills and the ability to work with multiple departments simultaneously.

Minimum Requirements

To qualify for this position, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Educational Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Human Resource Management or a related field

Formal HR education provides candidates with knowledge of labour legislation, recruitment processes, organizational behaviour, payroll systems, and employee relations.

Experience

• 3 to 5 years of generalist HR experience

Candidates with previous HR generalist experience are preferred because the role covers multiple HR functions rather than a single specialised area.

Technical Skills

Applicants should have:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Experience working with HR systems such as HR Premier and ESS
• Strong administrative and reporting skills

Legislative Knowledge

Candidates must have strong knowledge of:

• South African Labour Law
• Employment Equity legislation
• BBBEE requirements
• POPIA compliance standards

Important Skills and Competencies

The company is looking for an HR professional who demonstrates:

• High levels of confidentiality
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to multitask under pressure
• Professionalism and integrity
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving abilities
• Strong organizational skills

Because this role operates within a professional sports environment, the ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines will be highly beneficial.

Salary and Benefits

The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary ranging from R480 000 to R600 000 per annum, depending on qualifications, experience, and skills. Candidates with exceptional expertise and industry experience may potentially negotiate a higher salary package.

Working within a professional sports organisation can also provide valuable career exposure and unique opportunities to work in a high-performance environment.

Application Process

Candidates who meet the requirements and wish to take the next step in their Human Resources career are encouraged to apply for this opportunity.

Applicants can submit their CVs via email to:

itcareers@hireresolve.za.com

Applications should include updated employment history, qualifications, and relevant HR experience. Candidates are encouraged to ensure that all information provided is accurate and professionally presented before submission.

This opportunity may suit experienced HR professionals looking to advance their careers within the sports industry while contributing to a dynamic and professional working environment.