Call for applications: Universal Music SA head of people, inclusion and culture

Main purpose of role

The head of PIC will be a key business partner and enabler of the company’s people strategies. He or she will not only lead and develop the function but will also be a key member of the South and sub-Saharan Africa management team, playing a pivotal role in growing the local teams and shaping and nurturing an entrepreneurial, forward-thinking and positive culture for the company, while supporting sustainable business success.

The head of PIC will lead a small team in ensuring impactful end-to-end business partnering, effective implementation of new systems, processes and policies and the roll out of people-based initiatives to facilitate business growth. A critically important function of this role is to help ensure the UMG code of conduct is adhered to and provide employee relations guidance to staff and management alike.

Responsibilities

• Strategic HR planning.
• Work with the CEO, COO, senior leadership and the SVP of PIC, to implement an annual PIC strategy and agenda.
• Create and launch relevant policies and initiatives, across SA, Nigeria and Kenya.
• Liaise closely with the CFO and finance function to benchmark, map out and sense check all people-related overhead costs.
• Ensure that people costs are managed effectively and in line with the overall company budget and planning strategy.
• Assist in assessment/due diligence of any people related aspects of any investments or partnerships in South and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Contribute to the continued success of UMG as it adapts to changing business and external dynamics, in relation to people issues.

Organisational development

• Work with the management team to develop optimal structures and clear accountabilities, ensuring the right people are in the right roles to maximise team performance.
• Ensure a cohesive talent acquisition philosophy and ensure that recruiting processes attract the highest calibre of candidates for all positions.
• Implement and execute strategies, policies and programmes that foster ongoing training, development and mentoring to ensure high-value talent is positioned for success and deployed to maximise potential.
• Roll out effective management training processes in order to ensure that the business leaders are provided with appropriate tools and support to develop their people and team management capabilities.
• Help create and maintain a dynamic, exciting and positive company culture across South and sub-Saharan Africa.

Business support

• Develop and maintain strong and effective working relationships with all colleagues, within the local territories as well as with the global PIC team.
• Act as a trusted PIC adviser and in-house expert to both staff and management in all people-related/employee relations matters.
• Working closely with the legal and finance teams, ensure and, where required, enforce compliance with the code of conduct and company policy throughout the business.
• Work with senior management to map out impact and lead process as regards any local restructuring or change programmes that may be required – providing advice and opinion as well as liaison as needed with internal and external legal counsel.

Functional management

• Develop and grow a strong and effective PIC department that is aligned with and serves as a true partner to the business.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to PIC team members and provide pathways to growth within the PIC function to enhance their own skills and provide better support to the company.
• Where relevant, use technology to simplify, and/or develop processes and systems to increase efficiency of the PIC function.
• Ensure the roll out locally of any global PIC initiatives.
• Manage an effective and trusted PIC function – ensuring the smooth running of each PIC element and providing exceptional support to the business.

Person specification

• At least eight years’ management experience in PIC, including PIC generalist and business partnering roles.
• Experience in learning and development, organisational development, employee relations and talent acquisition. 
• Experience in media or entertainment preferred.
• Understanding of matrixed and functional reporting relationships.
• Experience in a multinational or international corporate environment with exposure to compliance and governance codes preferred.
• Passionate about music, digital, mobile, social networks, innovation and disruption.
• Attentive to important details but also decisive as needed.
• Able to follow up systematically and execute efficiently.
• Strives for self-improvement and to exceed expectations.
• Resourceful and effective in fast-paced environments.
• Flexible and adaptable – can prioritise effectively.
• Calm, mature and people oriented.
• Excellent team leader who breeds trust with team members
• Strong track record of developing staff
• Good organisation and project planning and multi-tasking skills.
• Strong written and oral communications skills with the ability to convey complex information to audiences at all levels in an articulate and compelling manner.
• Highest standards of honesty, integrity, discretion, principled leadership and business ethics.

Education

• Undergraduate degree or similar qualification in people/HR or related field an advantage.
• Diversity and inclusion.
• Universal Music is an equal opportunities employer and committed to the principle of diversity.

Disclaimer

The company presents this job description as a guide to the major areas and duties for which the jobholder is accountable.  However, the business operates in an environment that demands change and the jobholder’s specific responsibilities and activities will vary and develop. Therefore, the job description should be seen as indicative and not as a permanent, definitive and exhaustive statement.

Interested applicants should apply here.

View the original call here.