Thandeka Mpungose

Tech/ Data Science /Product Environment

Talent Acquisition & Strategy

• Managed end‑to‑end recruitment for specialised tech roles at Sanlam Fintech, including Software Engineers, Data Scientists, and graduate intakes such as the Sanlam Data, Digital & Analytics (SDDA) stream.
• Built and maintained strong partnerships with universities to attract high‑potential early‑career talent and led targeted hiring events, including large‑scale POD recruitment days.
• Implemented a specialised POD event focused on critical such as Software Engineers, Data Scientist to hire a high number of suitable candidates quickly and efficiently.
• Used HR analytics to track key hiring metrics (time‑to‑hire, quality of hire, and sourcing effectiveness) and supported Employment Equity goals through fair, inclusive, and data‑driven hiring practices.
• Introduced a structured interview approach that applied Sanlam Fintech’s leadership principles to evaluate behaviour, decision‑making, and team fit, helping us hire the most suitable candidates faster and more accurately.
• Led Sanlam Fintech’s talent acquisition efforts to support organisational growth and ensure the right skills were hired to meet business needs.
• Improved recruitment processes to make candidate screening faster, simpler, and more efficient.

Onboarding & Employee Lifecycle

• Negotiated competitive compensation packages to attract top tech talent for Sanlam Fintech in a highly competitive labour market.
• Oversaw seamless onboarding processes at Sanlam Fintech and served as the primary HR contact for new hires, guiding them through policies, benefits, and leave procedures.
• Administered employee benefits and supported smooth integration into Sanlam Fintech through structured onboarding consultations and ongoing assistance.
• Managed the full recruitment and onboarding cycle for new employees, ensuring a professional and positive hiring experience from start to finish.
• Implemented a single incentive bonus structure for Software Engineers at Sanlam Fintech as part of a targeted retention strategy to reward and retain critical technical skills.

Compensation and Remuneration

• Managed and approved all salary, bonus, and remuneration data to ensure accuracy and alignment with Sanlam’s policies, compensation philosophy, and budget.
• Oversaw the full approval process for compensation and bonus files, ensuring data integrity, consistency, and compliance with governance standards.
• Verified and signed off annual salary review changes and incentive payouts, partnering with Finance to support responsible and sustainable budgeting.
• Ensured strong governance of all remuneration submissions, maintaining high levels of accuracy and alignment with corporate requirements.
• Led Sanlam’s bi‑annual promotion review process, facilitating calibration sessions with leadership to ensure fair, consistent, and merit‑based career progression across the organisation.

Talent & Performance Management

• Conducted exit interviews with employees leaving Sanlam to understand what worked well and where improvements were needed.
• Completed skills‑gap analysis and tracked attrition trends to support better talent development and retention planning.
• Facilitated performance calibration sessions and ensured that all year‑end reviews followed Sanlam’s HR policies and guidelines.
• Advised line managers on HR best practices, including employee engagement, conflict resolution, performance management, and change leadership.
• Evaluated employee performance fairly and gave clear, constructive feedback to support growth and development.
• Coached managers on effective employee‑relations approaches to help them handle workplace issues early and professionally.

HR Operations & Business Support

• Prepared accurate HR reports and maintained employee records, ensuring clean and reliable data across Sanlam Fintech’s HR systems.
• Managed all employment documentation, including contracts, amendments, and letters, ensuring compliance with company and industry standards.
• Oversaw probation management, exit processes, and daily HR administration for Sanlam Fintech employees.
• Supported HR projects such as policy updates, system improvements, HRIS enhancements, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Worked with cross‑functional teams to create integrated HR solutions that supported business needs.
• Improved employee engagement by implementing innovative HR programs and initiatives.
• Handled sensitive employee issues, working with Legal to investigate concerns (harassment, discrimination, grievances) and prepare formal responses when needed.
• Identified training needs and delivered HR and leadership training to improve capability, performance, and productivity.
• Optimised workforce planning and resource allocation to strengthen operational efficiency.
• Supported managers with staffing issues, disciplinary actions, terminations, and conflict resolution.
• Established succession planning approaches to ensure leadership continuity for critical roles.
• Partnered with senior leaders to align HR strategies with Sanlam Fintech’s business goals.
• Facilitated leadership development workshops for mid‑level managers.
• Oversaw payroll processing to ensure accurate and on‑time salary payments.
• Monitored HR and industry trends to keep HR practices modern and competitive.
• Structured compensation and benefits in line with market trends and Sanlam Fintech’s budget requirements.

• Led the POD Project at Sanlam Fintech to support fast, high‑volume recruitment for critical Tech (Software Engineers, Data Scientist , UX/UI Designers) and Data roles, enabling quicker placements and reducing hiring backlogs.
• Streamlined the talent acquisition process at Sanlam Fintech by using SAP and MyWorkspace as applicant tracking systems, improving efficiency and candidate experience.
• Managed the full recruitment cycle, including job posting, sourcing, interviews, and offer negotiations.
• Worked closely with internal stakeholders to align hiring needs with Sanlam Fintech’s growth and support proactive workforce planning.
• Built a strong talent pipeline through networking events, career fairs, and targeted outreach.
• Conducted market research to benchmark roles, salaries, and hiring trends to strengthen recruitment strategies.
• Developed strong relationships with hiring managers, understanding their needs and offering tailored recruitment solutions.
• Reduced time‑to‑fill for critical tech roles through strategic sourcing and efficient interview scheduling.
• Partnered with HR and Finance to offer competitive compensation packages that attracted top talent.
• Maintained consistent communication with candidates to ensure a transparent and positive hiring experience.
• Enhanced Sanlam Fintech’s employer brand by creating targeted social media and recruitment campaigns that increased candidate engagement.
• Trained hiring managers on interview and selection best practices to improve hiring quality.
• Promoted internal mobility and supported the development of emerging talent within Sanlam Fintech.
• Developed communication and recruitment marketing plans and used talent acquisition tools and sourcing channels to attract strong talent.

Healthcare | Medical Aid | Call Centre Support

HR Operations & Systems Management

• Supported end-to-end HR functions within a fast-paced healthcare and medical aid environment, gaining exposure to recruitment, payroll, onboarding, and employee lifecycle administration.
• Assisted with recruitment coordination, including candidate screening, interview scheduling, and preparing employment documentation such as contracts and appointment letters.
• Processed payroll inputs, managed medical aid and provident fund registrations, and maintained accurate employee records in Oracle and OMS systems.
• Facilitated onboarding activities for new hires, including inductions, system setup, and responding to HR-related queries.
• Assisted with leave administration, exit interview coordination, and provided general administrative support to the HR team.
• Administered full HR operations within a fast-paced healthcare and medical aid environment, supporting call centre and corporate staff.
• Managed end-to-end employment documentation, including drafting contracts, amendments, and related letters, ensuring compliance with industry and company standards.
• Maintained and updated employee records across Oracle and the Organizational Management System (OMS), ensuring data accuracy, confidentiality, and integrity for payroll, benefits, and reporting.
• Acted as a primary point of contact for employee HR queries regarding policies, benefits, leave, payroll, and system access, providing timely and accurate resolutions.

Recruitment & Onboarding Coordination

• Supported the recruitment cycle by scheduling interviews, screening candidates, and preparing employment contracts and appointment letters.
• Led the onboarding process for new hires, conducting comprehensive HR inductions and ensuring all administrative and IT setups were completed before start dates.
• Facilitated a smooth transition for new employees by explaining medical aid options, provident fund registrations, and company policies specific to the healthcare sector.

Leave, Payroll & Benefits Administration

• Managed leave administration for a large workforce, including processing, tracking, and adjustments for annual, sick, study, and maternity leave.
• Prepared and submitted monthly payroll inputs, including new employee registrations, medical aid, provident fund, and group life scheme enrollments.
• Issued maternity contracts, UIF documents, and managed related schedules to support employees through leave transitions.

Employee Lifecycle & Exit Management

• Oversaw the offboarding process, including resignations and retirements, ensuring compliance and conducting exit interviews to gather feedback.
• Supported performance management cycles by coordinating appraisal documentation and tracking completion.
• Assisted with Industrial Relations (IR) processes, including preparing incident reports, disciplinary documentation, and employment confirmations.

Healthcare | Medical Aid | Call Centre Support

• Supported end-to-end HR functions within a fast-paced healthcare and medical aid environment, gaining exposure to recruitment, payroll, onboarding, and employee lifecycle administration.
• Assisted with recruitment coordination, including candidate screening, interview scheduling, and preparing employment documentation such as contracts and appointment letters.
• Processed payroll inputs, managed medical aid and provident fund registrations, and maintained accurate employee records in Oracle and OMS systems.
• Facilitated onboarding activities for new hires, including inductions, system setup, and responding to HR-related queries.
• Assisted with leave administration, exit interview coordination, and provided general administrative support to the HR team.