Thuthukile Ndlela
Talent Acquisition | People Specialist
Johannesburg
Summary
Senior Talent Acquisition and People Specialist with over 10 years’ experience delivering end-to-end recruitment solutions across corporate, multinational, and agency environments. Proven strategic partner to senior leadership, specialising in niche and scarce-skills hiring across Finance, Legal, HR, IT, Procurement, data, and professional services functions. Strong expertise in stakeholder engagement, governance, BEE compliance, ATS/CRM optimisation, and workforce planning. Building sustainable talent pipelines, driving exceptional candidate and hiring manager experiences, and aligning recruitment strategies to business objectives.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
People Specialist: Talent Acquisition
Smollan
07.2023 - Current
- Strategic partner to senior leadership in defining and delivering recruitment strategies for Group Services, including Finance, Legal, HR, IT, and Procurement.
- Lead niche and proactive sourcing initiatives, including headhunting of scarce and high-calibre talent across specialist corporate functions.
- Manage the full end-to-end recruitment lifecycle, from in-depth briefing sessions and market mapping to interviews, offer negotiation, and onboarding.
- Provide consultative guidance to hiring managers on talent availability, role design, and best-practice hiring approaches.
- Ensure compliance with internal HR policies, South African labour legislation, and BEE requirements across all hiring activities.
- Maintain governance, reporting, and stakeholder engagement to support workforce planning and business objectives.
Talent Acquisition Specialist
VMLY&R, Johannesburg
01.2023 - 06.2023
- Supported recruitment delivery for a large-scale, project-based engagement.
- Recruited Data Analysts and specialist roles via LinkedIn, social platforms, and targeted sourcing strategies.
- Conducted candidate screening, interviews, and shortlisting.
- Prepared offers, contracts, and managed onboarding processes.
- Coordinated orientation and ensured compliance with company onboarding policies.
- Maintained and updated talent pipelines for current and future hiring needs.
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Phithos Technologies
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Managed full-cycle recruiting process for multiple roles simultaneously while maintaining high-quality standards in candidate assessment and selection.
- Collaborated with hiring managers to determine job requirements and understand departmental needs.
- Reduced time-to-fill for open positions by implementing efficient recruitment strategies and effective collaboration with hiring managers.
- Evaluated resumes, interviewed, and presented qualified candidates to hiring managers and solicited feedback to refine recruiting strategy.
Specialist Recruitment Manager
SpaceMakers (Innate Investment Solutions), Johannesburg
11.2019 - 05.2021
- Led end-to-end recruitment across the organisation.
- Designed and embedded recruitment processes and governance frameworks.
- Provided advisory services on talent acquisition strategy and workforce planning.
- Sourced and placed candidates across multiple business projects.
- Managed employer branding and social media engagement to attract talent.
- Developed recruitment documentation and reporting.
HR Team Assistant
BASF, Johannesburg
10.2017 - 05.2019
- Provided executive-level administrative support to HR and EHS Directors.
- Coordinated meetings, conferences, workshops, and team events.
- Managed diaries, travel, accommodation, and international bookings.
- Maintained confidential documentation and executive records.
- Supported procurement activities including SAP purchase requisitions and vendor payments.
- Assisted with presentations and HR documentation.
Associate Recruiter
IQVIA, Johannesburg
03.2017 - 07.2017
- Recruited medical and research professionals across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Conducted telephonic and face-to-face interviews.
- Partnered with business development teams to deliver timely placements.
- Managed recruitment reporting, offers, and onboarding documentation.
HR Generalist – Recruitment
Right to Care, Johannesburg
06.2016 - 12.2016
- Delivered recruitment for multi-country African projects under the EQUIP grant.
- Managed HR administration, offers, and employee onboarding.
- Advised managers on recruitment strategies and competency-based interviewing.
- Facilitated induction programmes and policy orientation.
Talent Acquisition Advisor
Business Connexion, Durban
08.2013 - 10.2015
- Managed recruitment assignments in line with SLA requirements.
- Conducted briefing sessions, advertising, screening, interviewing, and reference checks.
- Built and maintained talent pipelines through research, networking, and sourcing.
- Partnered with hiring managers to ensure a positive candidate and hiring experience.
- Ensured adherence to governance standards and recruitment policies.
- Delivered regular recruitment reporting across multiple regions.
Recruitment Specialist
Affirmative Portfolios, Pietermaritzburg
08.2012 - 08.2013
- Interviewed and matched candidates to client job specifications.
- Prepared candidate CVs and managed submissions.
- Sourced candidates via job boards, advertising, and networking.
- Coordinated candidate assessments and public-sector recruitment processes.
- Supported client engagement and rate negotiations.
HR & Recruitment Coordinator
Citigroup South Africa, Johannesburg
12.2009 - 04.2012
- Ensured compliance with permanent, contract, and expatriate recruitment policies.
- Managed recruitment files, records, and audit readiness.
- Coordinated end-to-end recruitment administration, interviews, and offers.
- Conducted prescreening, background checks, and reference verification.
- Managed starter and leaver administration processes.
- Delivered recruitment reporting and invoicing.
Education
Human Resources Management -
Durban University of Technology
Grade 12 - undefined
Greytown High School
01.1997
Skills
Strategic Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning
Niche & Scarce Skills Sourcing
Stakeholder & Hiring Manager Partnership
ATS & CRM Systems
Certification
Become a Tech Recruiter
Timeline
People Specialist: Talent Acquisition
Smollan
07.2023 - Current
Talent Acquisition Specialist
VMLY&R, Johannesburg
01.2023 - 06.2023
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Phithos Technologies
01.2022 - 01.2023
Specialist Recruitment Manager
SpaceMakers (Innate Investment Solutions), Johannesburg
11.2019 - 05.2021
HR Team Assistant
BASF, Johannesburg
10.2017 - 05.2019
Associate Recruiter
IQVIA, Johannesburg
03.2017 - 07.2017
HR Generalist – Recruitment
Right to Care, Johannesburg
06.2016 - 12.2016
Talent Acquisition Advisor
Business Connexion, Durban
08.2013 - 10.2015
Recruitment Specialist
Affirmative Portfolios, Pietermaritzburg
08.2012 - 08.2013
HR & Recruitment Coordinator
Citigroup South Africa, Johannesburg
12.2009 - 04.2012
Grade 12 - undefined
Greytown High School
Human Resources Management -
Durban University of Technology