GROUP HR MANAGER / HEAD OF HR (GROUP) – 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.

Role Overview

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.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR 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

Organisational Development & Workforce Planning

• 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

Talent Management & Leadership Development

• 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

Skills Development & Training

• 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

Employee Relations & Governance

• 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

Culture & Performance

• Drive organisational culture initiatives focused on performance, accountability, and service excellence

• Support employee engagement strategies across the group

• Lead change management initiatives where required

Stakeholder Management

• 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

Minimum Requirements

• 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

Skills & Competencies

• 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

Personal Attributes

• 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

Reporting Structure

• 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