Senior HR Consultant - SME Clients

Summary: Invision HR is a boutique HR Consulting agency. We're looking for a Senior HR Consultant to take full ownership of the HR function for our core SME client accounts (who operate in different industries). You will effectively act as the HR lead within each client business, partnering directly with business owners and managers while remaining closely connected to employees at all levels. This is a hands-on role - you will be responsible for the full HR lifecycle, from people matters and employee relations, to HR operations, compliance and day-to-day execution. Reporting To: Managing Director Location: Cape Town Schedule: Monday - Friday Work Set-up: Hybrid, with weekly client visits This role is for someone who: Can independently own an entire HR function and is comfortable being the person ultimately accountable for getting HR right. Enjoys business partnering and can confidently advise business owners, executives and managers. Has strong HR judgement and understands when to act independently, when to challenge and when to escalate. Is genuinely passionate about generalist HR and enjoys working across the full employee lifecycle rather than specialising in one area. Thrives on variety and can quickly adapt to different industries, organisational cultures, leadership styles and client environments. Builds trusted relationships with both leadership and employees , while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Takes ownership of outcomes. You follow matters through to resolution and don't need to be chased Enjoys being hands-on , while still being able to think strategically about the people and organisational implications of business decisions. You will: Have end-to-end ownership of the HR function for your allocated client accounts and will operate as their HR partner. Work closely with and form part of the management team within each client, providing practical and commercially appropriate HR advice Be expected to operate independently by managing your own priorities, client relationships and HR deliverables without day-to-day supervision. Advise and, where appropriate, challenge business owners and managers on HR best practice , employee matters, people decisions and organisational risk. Become deeply familiar with each client's business, structure, culture, workforce and history, allowing you to provide context-specific HR advice . Work collaboratively with the Industrial Psychologist within the Invision team on complex people, organisational and strategic matters. Be the trusted HR point of contact for both management and employees and will take accountability for ensuring matters are appropriately addressed and closed out. Be hands-on, roll up your sleeves and execute . Responsibilities - Client HR Delivery: Act as an embedded resource for each core client, working from home and on the client location. Own the full HR portfolio for each core client covering: - Statutory Compliance (UIF, COIDA, EE, SDL etc) - Employee related paperwork (contracts, agreements, policies, letters, memos etc) - Remuneration & Payroll - Onboarding & Induction - Job Descriptions and Gradings - Probation & Performance Management - Training & Development - Disciplinary Management / IR - Talent Management, Engagement & Retention - Reward & Recognition - Offboarding Build a relationship with the staff within each client and be their ‘go-to’ A typical month consists of: Plan and run new joiner inductions Facilitate probation meetings and manage the probation process end-to-end Plan and run performance review meetings, and Handle day-to-day people matters - employee conflict resolution, and general employee relations Advise line managers directly on HR best practice, policy application, and people decisions Draft warnings, conduct warning discussions, and manage disciplinary hearings. Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes, including exit interviews Draft and manage employee-related paperwork (contracts, policies, letters, memos) Ensure statutory compliance (UIF, COIDA, EE, SDL, WSP-ATR's, etc.) Manage payroll for client accounts. Run talent retention initiatives like team buildings, braai’s and other culture-driven initiatives Run training sessions for staff on soft skills and more Provide certificates for training and rewards Minimum 4 years' experience in an HR Generalist / HR Manager role Experience across at least 2 different companies, demonstrating adaptability and application of HR best practice across industries and/or company sizes Experience in a boutique HR agency/consulting environment handling multiple client accounts Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field required; Honours degree advantageous Comfortable managing the full HR spectrum independently — from admin oversight through to advisory — without requiring hand-holding Delivery-focused, with strong follow-through and ownership mentality Based in Cape Town (non-negotiable) Valid driver's license and own vehicle required for client visits Ability to very comfortably speak English & Afrikaans (non-negotiable) Proficiency in HR and productivity software (Google Suite, Microsoft Suite, Asana, Payspace, SimplePay, Canva) Competencies: Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills Strong time management and prioritisation Superb verbal and written communication Sound judgement and decision-making, with the maturity to escalate well Highly adaptable across different client environments and demands Proactive, self-directed, comfortable working without close supervision Natural relationship builder, collaborative mindset Steady under pressure, delivery-focused If you love the operational side of HR and want to build real depth with a set of clients, this role is for you. We have a passion for people and empowering them ! We are a small but growing team of 5, and we strive for making an impact within each of our clients businesses.