GROUP HR MANAGER / HEAD OF HR - AUTOMOTIVE RETAIL

A leading privately owned automotive retail group with a multi dealership network is seeking an experienced and strategically driven Group HR Manager / Head of HR (Group) to join its senior leadership structure at Head Office. Johannesburg, Gauteng

This is a senior, group level leadership role responsible for driving the full human capital strategy across multiple dealership operations, with a strong focus on organisational development, leadership pipeline building, and long term workforce capability.

The successful candidate will report directly to the CEO/Owner and will lead the group's HR function, overseeing HR Managers across various business units.

The Group HR Manager / Head of HR (Group) will be responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive people strategy aligned to business growth and operational performance across the automotive retail group.

This role plays a critical part in shaping organisational capability, building leadership capacity, and ensuring that the group has the right talent frameworks in place to support sustainable growth.

The position operates at a senior leadership level and influences business strategy through effective human capital planning, talent development, and culture leadership.

• Develop and implement a group wide HR and people strategy aligned with business objectives
• Act as strategic partner to the CEO and senior leadership team on all people related matters
• Drive organisational capability development across all dealership operations
• Lead HR transformation and continuous improvement initiatives

• Oversee organisational design and workforce planning across the group
• Identify current and future skills gaps and implement capability building solutions
• Ensure alignment between business strategy and workforce structure
• Support scalable HR frameworks for multi dealership operations

• Design and implement leadership development and succession planning frameworks
• Drive high potential employee identification and development programmes
• Oversee performance management systems and talent retention strategies
• Build strong leadership pipelines across all business units

• Lead the group's skills development and training strategy
• Ensure alignment with industry training requirements and compliance standards
• Drive continuous learning and capability development across all levels

• Provide strategic oversight of employee relations across the group
• Ensure consistent application of HR policies and procedures
• Manage employment risk and ensure compliance with labour legislation

• Drive organisational culture initiatives focused on performance, accountability, and service excellence
• Support employee engagement strategies across the group
• Lead change management initiatives where required

• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO/Owner and senior leadership team
• Influence and guide senior managers across dealership operations
• Provide strategic HR insight to support business decision making

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, Business Administration, or related field
• Honours degree and/or MBA (advantageous)
• Minimum 8-12 years' progressive HR experience
• At least 5 years in a senior HR leadership role within a group or multi site environment
• Proven experience in the automotive / motor industry or dealership group environment (essential)
• Experience managing HR teams and leading group wide HR strategy
• Strong background in organisational development, talent management, and workforce planning

• Strategic HR leadership and business partnering
• Organisational development and workforce planning
• Leadership development and succession planning
• Talent management and performance optimisation
• Employee relations and HR governance
• Change management and culture transformation
• Strong business acumen and commercial understanding
• Excellent communication skills in English and Afrikaans (fluency required)
• Ability to operate in a fast paced automotive retail environment

• Strong strategic thinker with execution capability
• High level of integrity and confidentiality
• Strong leadership presence and influencing ability
• Passion for people development and organisational growth
• Resilient, adaptable, and performance driven
• Ability to work across multiple stakeholders and business units

• Reports directly to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Forms part of: Senior Leadership Team at Head Office
• Oversees: Group HR function and HR Managers across dealership operations