People and Culture Manager at SAASTA, Pretoria
National Research Foundation · Pretoria, Gauteng
Overview
SAASTA, a business unit of the National Research Foundation in Pretoria, is looking for a People and Culture Manager to provide strategic HR support. You will guide leaders on talent, transformation and performance while managing a small team. This is a senior role for someone with 8 to 10 years of HR generalist experience who enjoys partnering with business leaders in a research environment.
About the role
As People and Culture Manager at SAASTA, you will be the strategic HR partner to business unit leaders in Pretoria. Your job is to connect the people plan with the business strategy, so that hiring, development and performance all support the organisation's goals.
You will work closely with senior leaders on organisational design, talent management, employment equity and change initiatives. You will also manage a small team of People Partners, helping them build the capability to coach line managers and drive a high performance culture.
Part of the role involves managing the National Youth Service project for the DSTI, including recruiting, onboarding and training volunteers, and managing relationships with host institutions. You will also attend CCMA matters when needed and make sure HR data and reporting are accurate and on time.
How to apply: Submit your comprehensive CV through the NRF Recruitment and Selection Portal on the NRF website. Include a letter of motivation showing why you are suitable for the role, plus the names and contact details of at least three referees. The closing date is Friday, 13 November 2026.
Requirements
- Honours degree or postgraduate qualification (NQF 8) in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology or a related field
- 8 to 10 years of generalist People and Culture (HR) experience
- At least 3 to 5 years managing a team and building strategic HR capability, preferably in a research institution
- 3 years of proven experience in strategic planning, formulation and execution
- Demonstrable experience with HR metrics and HR systems and databases
- Proven experience leading a People and Culture function in a unionised environment
- Track record of organisational development work and engaging with leaders
- Experience facilitating group sessions and driving change across a business
- Sound knowledge of the LRA, BCEA, EEA and all HR related legislation
Responsibilities
- Interpret and implement the People and Culture strategy so the people operating plan aligns with the business unit strategy
- Create an annual People and Culture operating plan and work with leaders to spot people trends that affect strategy delivery
- Provide strategic support to senior leaders on people and organisational development issues
- Conduct organisational diagnosis and advise on operating model and structural design with guidance from the Organisational Development CoE
- Build relationships with business leaders and act as a liaison between Centres of Excellence and the business
- Guide line managers on people management principles and processes
- Champion Employment Equity initiatives and ensure compliance with the EE Act, including serving on the EE Committee
- Support leadership with performance measures such as performance targets and IDPs
- Align learning and development initiatives to business strategy and outputs
- Validate talent bench strength with line managers for succession and capability planning
- Partner with senior leaders on senior appointments
- Drive change management for key business roll out initiatives
- Embed the Employee Value Proposition in People and Culture practices and policies
- Build healthy relationships with the workforce and the union
- Prepare and manage the People and Culture budget for the business unit
- Collate monthly and quarterly reports for the Head: People and Culture and the Managing Director
- Analyse and report on HR data, ensuring data integrity
- Develop, mentor and coach People Partners to build strategic partnering capability
- Attend to CCMA matters when necessary
- Manage the National Youth Service project for the DSTI, including recruitment, onboarding, training of volunteers and stakeholder management of host institutions
Benefits
Company laptop, company events, parking space, canteen, training, paid annual leave
Job details
- Organisation
- National Research Foundation
- Location
- Pretoria, Gauteng
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Senior (8+ years)
- Education
- Honours
- Category
- Human Resources
- Closing date
- 13 November 2026
- Application Method
- Form
Success Guide
This is a senior role, so your application needs to show more than general HR experience. The panel will want to see how you have partnered with business leaders, handled union relationships and driven change in a structured environment. In your motivation letter, point to a few concrete examples, like a talent project you led, an employment equity initiative you rolled out, or a CCMA case you managed. Mention your experience managing a small team, since the role includes coaching People Partners. Also explain why working in a science and technology research setting appeals to you. The NRF is serious about employment equity and will apply its equity plan when making the appointment, so be mindful of the non EE/AA note. Submit everything through the NRF portal before the 13 November 2026 closing date, and make sure your three referees are contactable.
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