Nicole Heynes
Cape Town
Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented HR professional with over 20 years of experience in human resources management, specializing in areas such as recruitment, employee relations, compensation and benefits, performance management, and organizational development. I have extensive knowledge of employment legislation and HR best practices across multiple jurisdictions including South Africa, the United Kingdom, Jersey, Guernsey, Luxembourg, Ireland, the United States and Malta. Adept at aligning HR strategies with business objectives to drive organizational success. Proven track record of implementing HR policies and procedures in compliance with relevant legislation and industry best practices. Skilled in building and maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders at all levels. Possess strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, combined with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Committed to fostering a positive work culture and promoting employee engagement and development.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior HR Consultant and Office experience Consult
ZEDRA
Cape Town
03.2026 - 08.2026
- Partner with senior leadership to design and implement HR strategies aligned with local and wider group objectives.
- Lead recruitment, onboarding, and talent development for the South Africa office.
- Establish HR policies and procedures compliant with South African employment laws.
- Drive employee engagement, performance management, and succession planning.
- Act as trusted advisor to managers on workforce planning, employee relations, and organisational development.
- Manage payroll delivery, compensation, benefits administration and negotiations.
- Implement rewards strategy and manage rewards and benefits within budget parameters
- Implementation and compliance with B-BBEE and EE policy
- Manage employee relations matters and represent the company at the CCMA.
- Office Setup and Management
- Oversee the establishment of the new office, including facilities, vendors, and administrative processes.
- Manage day-to-day office operations to ensure efficiency and compliance • Develop and implement office management systems and processes.
- Liaise with external service providers (legal, finance, IT, facilities). Marketing and Brand Support
- Collaborate with global marketing teams to adapt brand messaging for the South African market.
- Support initial marketing campaigns, events, and local partnerships to build brand awareness.
- Coordinate with external agencies and vendors for promotional activities.
- Provide insights into local market trends and employer branding opportunities.
Human Resource Manager
Laura James
Cape Town
06.2025 - 03.2026
- Develop and implement HR strategies and initiatives aligned with the overall business strategy for the UK and South Africa.
- Bridge management and employee relations by mediating grievances, or other issues.
- Manage the recruitment and selection process to ensure our company attracts, hires, and retains the best employees.
- Manage the onboarding of new starters for the UK and South Africa• Implement strategy to effectively manage and reduce absences.
- Create initiatives to support work life balance and positive culture.
- Organise social events for employees (Summer Party, Christmas Party, etc)
- Ensure employees welfare 9. Oversee and manage a performance appraisal system that drives high performance.
- Create rewards and benefits strategy
- Assess training needs and deliver training programs (e.g. Team Leaders training)
- Ensure all Team Leaders are coached on SA Employment Law and follow the best practices and procedures.
- Report to management and provide decision support through HR metrics.
- Ensure legal compliance throughout human resource management.
- Ensure health & safety compliance 16. Utilise HR Management System is up to date.
- Support with payroll
- Utilise your experience within UK businesses to integrate international best practices into our HR operations in South Africa and the UK
- Any other reasonable work-related instruction, role or task
- Finalise all policies, ie employee handbook for the UK and South African.
Associate Director
Sanne Fund Services SA
04.2022 - 03.2025
- Oversee Compensation and Benefits/Payroll: Managing and Leading the SA team, channel Islands, Luxembourg.
- Manage payroll for South Africa, including audits, tax, and legislative reporting.
- Negotiate savings in employee benefit schemes to lower the cost base per employee.
- Proactively manage Payroll Delivery, Benefits Administration, Rewards Strategy, and HR Systems Management.
- Lead and manage Rewards, Benefits, and Payroll functions within budget parameters.
- Implement rewards policy and strategy, ensuring relevant salary/survey data availability.
- Initiate procedures governing staff salaries, benefits, and related issues.
- Analyze costs against Budget and engage stakeholders for effective cost tracking.
- Partner with Unit/Division/Directorate for talent sourcing strategies.
- Develop pipelines for current and future job openings and lead sourcing strategies.
- Oversee candidate experience, annual recruitment budget, and hiring forecast for.
- Ensure a 100% direct hiring rate and manage external partnerships for talent acquisition.
- Implement employer branding activities online and offline.
- Support and implement BBBEE Business initiatives and ensure HR targets achievement.
- Drive HR strategy implementation in Divisions and partner strategically with business Units.
- Provide comprehensive employee life cycle HR service and develop workforce plan.
- Maintain HR Governance/Risk compliance and manage Employment Wellness Risks.
- Provide expert advice, support, and guidance to Line Manager in labor practices to the UK, Jersey, Ireland, Guernsey, Luxembourg.
- Manage employee relations matters and represent the company at the CCMA. Also assist with employee matters where necessary for UK, Jersey, Ireland, Guernsey, Luxembourg & Malta.
- Ensure compliance with labor laws, regulations, and HR policies/procedures.
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation in South Africa, Malta,UK, Jersey, Ireland, Guernsey, Luxembourg..
- Guide and coach management on strategic HR understanding.
- Coordinate annual pay review and bonus schemes.
- Align training & development plans with succession planning.
- Develop workforce plan based on analyses.
Senior HR Manager
Sanne Fund Services SA
10.2016 - 03.2022
- Consolidate and manage monthly payroll via VIP system, ensuring timely salary payments.
- Oversee audits, tax reporting, and benefits renewal to optimize cost base and generate savings.
- Research and analyze market trends for reward structures, ensuring alignment with budget parameters.
- Conduct annual remuneration reviews and manage staff excellence awards to recognize performance.
- Facilitate HR planning and manage recruitment process, including orientation and exit interviews.
- Develop and maintain relationships with recruitment agencies to meet resourcing needs.
- Align HR with organizational goals and implement initiatives to address HR risks.
- Participate in strategic planning processes and facilitate organizational and structural amendments.
- Prepare and manage HR budgets in compliance with financial policies.
- Conduct exit interviews with staff and provide feedback to executive management.
- Ensure compliance with labor legislation and provide guidance on disciplinary action.
- Provide assistance to line managers on labor relations matters and HR policies.
- Manage submission of employment equity reports and provide guidance on grievance action.
- Ensure adherence to employment equity targets and BEE scorecard requirements.
- Facilitate goal alignment sessions and train managers on performance management systems.
- Analyze results and identify trends to improve performance management processes.
HR Manager
Sygnia Asset Management
05.2013 - 09.2016
- Provide guidance and support on induction and service conditions, ensuring EE and DTI targets are met.
- Coordinate orientation and exit interviews, identifying turnover trends and developing strategies.
- Implement principles and monitor culture change/transformation within the organization.
HR Consultant
Old Mutual
02.2010 - 04.2013
- Design and facilitate diversity initiatives and team-building interventions.
- Facilitate goal alignment sessions and assist managers with performance management systems.
- Analyze results and trends, provide statistics on pay progressions and MD awards.
- Manage succession planning through talent management, analyzing trends and advising on retention strategies.
- Conduct exit management and ensure new employees receive induction, career pathing, and retention strategies.
- Ensure compliance with labor legislation and provide guidance on disciplinary and grievance action.
- Provide support on IR matters related to BCEA, LRA, EEA, and SDA, interpreting procedures and prescripts.
- Ensure reward strategies support strategic objectives and enhance performance excellence.
- Facilitate alignment of staff remuneration to PSA provisions and assist in structuring packages compliant with regulations.
- Consult on EE within the business, establish consultative processes, and provide regular feedback to leaders.
- Provide advice and assistance on EE action plans, diversity initiatives, and IR matters.
- Facilitate talent review and succession planning sessions, identifying pools of successors to key positions.
- Analyze training trends, compile workplace skills plans, and design development programs as needed.
Education
M. Tech Degree - Public Management
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
01-2007
B. Tech Degree - Public Management
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
01-2005
National Diploma - Public Management
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
01-2003
Skills
- HR management principles
- Employment Equity Act
- Labour Relations Act
- Basic Conditions of Employment Act
- Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Recruitment and Selection policies
- VIP Payroll system
- Pastel Payroll system
- Analytical skills
- Policy analysis
- HRM guidelines
- Best practices
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Organizational skills
- Prioritization
- Detail-oriented
- Accuracy
- Adaptability
- HRM regulations
- Industry trends
Cover Letter
To whom it may concern, Thank you for granting me the opportunity to apply for this position at your organisation. It is with great enthusiasm that I am writing to you in order to express my interest in this role. With over two decades of experience in human resources management, specializing in recruitment, employee relations, compensation and benefits, performance management, and organizational development, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to your team. I began my career in HR in 2002 within government departments, gaining invaluable experience and insights into the field. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to aligning HR strategies with business objectives to drive organizational success. I have a proven track record of implementing HR policies and procedures in compliance with relevant legislation and industry best practices. My experience includes managing payroll, negotiating savings in employee benefit schemes, and proactively managing Payroll Delivery, Benefits Administration, and HR Systems. Additionally, I have led and managed Rewards, Benefits, and Payroll functions within budget parameters, implemented rewards policies and strategies, and overseen systems optimization and cost tracking. My expertise also extends to recruitment and selection, where I have developed pipelines for current and future job openings, led sourcing strategies, and ensured a 100% direct hiring rate. I have also managed external partnerships for talent acquisition and implemented employer branding activities both online and offline. Furthermore, I have a strong background in employee relations, organizational development, performance management, succession planning, talent management, and industrial relations. I am well-versed in relevant HR legislation, including the Employment Equity Act, Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, and Occupational Health and Safety Act. I place a high value on people and have demonstrated in my previous roles that I am capable of working well in a team and can deal with frustrations, working mutually together to find solutions. I am confident that my skills and experience make me a strong candidate for this position. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information or references. Sincerely, Nicole Heynes
References
Available on request.
Timeline
Senior HR Consultant and Office experience Consult
ZEDRA
03.2026 - 08.2026
Human Resource Manager
Laura James
06.2025 - 03.2026
Associate Director
Sanne Fund Services SA
04.2022 - 03.2025
Senior HR Manager
Sanne Fund Services SA
10.2016 - 03.2022
HR Manager
Sygnia Asset Management
05.2013 - 09.2016
HR Consultant
Old Mutual
02.2010 - 04.2013
M. Tech Degree - Public Management
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
B. Tech Degree - Public Management
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
National Diploma - Public Management
Cape Peninsula University of Technology