Job details

Zutari: Co-creating an engineered impact. 

Zutari is a well-established, management-owned engineering firm with over 90 years' experience. As human-centred engineering consultants and advisors, we are trusted by our clients, business partners, communities and other stakeholders across Africa. We co-create engineering solutions that have a positive impact and improve people's lives. Zutari   values inclusion and recognises the importance of a diverse, talented workforce, believing that people need other people to succeed. 

What kind of talent do we pursue? 

We employ people with the right attitude and a positive mindset, who are motivated by doing the right thing, getting things done and share a sense of urgency. People who have an impact in our teams and broader community. People who think differently and connect with those around them to co-create new opportunities and leave a meaningful legacy.    

Job summary 

Responsible to lead and drive the design, implementation, and management of our reward strategy, benefits offering, employee wellbeing programs, HR systems, and shared services operations. Ensures our reward and people processes are aligned with business objectives, legally compliant, and positioned to attract, retain, and engage top talent.

Key responsibilities:

Reward and Remuneration

• Develop and execute competitive and equitable remuneration strategies, including salary benchmarking, pay structures, and incentive plans.
• Oversee annual remuneration review processes, including bonuses, pay increases, and pay gap analysis.
• Provide guidance on executive remuneration and governance, preparing paper and recommendations for relevant board committees as required.

Benefits and Wellbeing

• Design and manage a comprehensive benefits portfolio that supports the diverse needs of our employees.
• Lead wellbeing initiatives that promote a healthy, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.
• Partner with external providers to optimize cost-effectiveness and employee satisfaction.

HR Shared Services

• Lead the HR shared service function to deliver consistent, efficient, and employee-centric support across all stages of the employee lifecycle.
• Ensure continuous improvement of HR service delivery through data-driven insights and feedback mechanisms.
• Manage the HR helpdesk function and ensure SLAs and quality metrics are met.

HR Systems and Technology

• Own the strategy and operation of core HR systems (e.g., HRIS, benefits/wellbeing platforms).
• Drive digital transformation within the HR function to improve process automation, data integrity, and employee experience.
• Lead the implementation of system upgrades or transitions, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum adoption.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of specialists across reward, operations, and systems.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, offering insights on reward trends and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Learning & Development, and People Partner teams to align initiatives and ensure seamless service delivery.

Experience

• 10+ years’ experience in senior HR leadership roles, with a strong focus on reward, operations, and systems.
• Relevant honours degree or related qualification (essential)
• GRP certification (essential)
• Any membership or certification (advantageous)
• Deep knowledge of remuneration and benefits practices, regulatory requirements, and market trends.
• Experience managing HRIS platforms and driving HR process improvements.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and drive change.
• Strategic mindset with a hands-on, delivery-oriented approach.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and analytical skills.

Skills

• Communication skills - Ability to engage effectively with management and employees at all levels. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to advocate for financial initiatives.
• Analytical Skills- Ability to perform financial variance analysis and derive actions to drive decision-making and measure the effectiveness of financial strategies.
• Presentation and Facilitation skills: ability to present/facilitate discussions on financial data.
• Attention to Detail- Ensure accuracy in financial reports, statements, and cash, minimizing errors and discrepancies.
• Leadership & Team Management: Experience in leading and mentoring finance teams, fostering collaboration, and driving high performance.

Competencies

• Leadership: Inspires with a clear vision and strategic direction for the finance business unit.
• Business Acumen: Understands market dynamics and drives profitable growth within the civil engineering sector.
• Strategic Thinking: Anticipates trends and positions the business unit for long-term success.
• Relationship Management: Builds strong relationships and manages the teams execution to deliver.
• Team Leadership: Empowers teams to excel and fosters a culture of excellence.
• Communication Skills: Articulates ideas effectively and influences stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving: Analyses issues and makes informed decisions to ensure business success.
• Ethical Conduct: Upholds integrity and professionalism in all interactions.
• Adaptability: Navigates change and uncertainty with resilience and agility.
• Industry Expertise: Applies deep knowledge of finance and emerging technologies.
• Collaboration: Works collaboratively across the business to achieve shared objectives and exceed client expectations.

We believe that a diverse workforce is key to our business success. We seek the best people for our jobs based on their skills, qualifications, and experience. We embrace the principle of equal opportunity in employment, and we work towards eliminating all forms of unlawful discrimination in our employment practices. In support of diversity and the equal opportunity principle, preference will be given to individuals from designated groups within South Africa.