Head of Human Capital Operations

Company Overview

Lesaka is a leading South African financial technology company. We deliver financial services to consumers (B2C) and merchants (B2B) in Southern Africa through our proprietary banking and payment technologies. We offer banking, lending and insurance products to consumers and cash management solutions, bill payment technologies, value-added services, business funding and card acquiring solutions to formal and informal retail merchants.

About the role

Reporting directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), we are seeking a commercially astute and transformational Head of Human Capital Operations to build and lead an integrated Human Capital Operations function across payroll, shared services, HC systems and digital transformation, people data and reporting, and governance and compliance.

This is a high-impact executive leadership opportunity for a seasoned HR Operations professional who can translate strategy into scalable operational delivery, drive digital transformation, strengthen governance, and create exceptional employee and stakeholder experiences.

As the Head of Human Capital Operations, you will lead the design and execution of an operating model that delivers accurate, efficient, compliant, and responsive HC services across the organisation.

You will play a pivotal role in simplifying processes, improving controls, digitising the employee lifecycle, enhancing workforce data capabilities, and ensuring operational excellence across multiple business divisions.

Working closely with Human Capital, Finance, Technology, Risk, Internal Audit, and business leadership teams, you will provide the leadership required to transform Human Capital Operations into a strategic business enabler.

Key Responsibilities Payroll and Shared Services Leadership

• Lead and optimise the end-to-end payroll operating model, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and service excellence.
• Drive payroll transformation initiatives that improve efficiency, controls, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Establish clear service standards, governance processes, and performance metrics.
• Build and enhance shared services capabilities that improve employee support while reducing administrative burden.
• Manage stakeholder relationships across Payroll, Finance, Human Capital, and business divisions.

HC Systems and Digital Transformation* Lead the selection and implementation of a new Human Capital Management System (HCMS).

• Drive workflow automation, self-service adoption, systems integration, and digital innovation.
• Develop and execute the HC technology roadmap.
• Partner with Technology, Information Security, Procurement, Legal, and external vendors to ensure successful delivery of strategic initiatives.
• Ensure measurable business benefits are achieved through digital transformation investments.

Human Capital Data and Reporting* Establish robust data governance practices and quality standards.

• Create a trusted source of workforce data across the organisation.
• Develop executive dashboards, workforce analytics, and statutory reporting solutions.
• Deliver actionable insights that improve workforce planning and business decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and information management requirements.

Governance, Risk and Compliance* Design and implement a practical and effective HC governance framework.

• Strengthen policies, controls, risk management practices, and audit readiness.
• Coordinate compliance monitoring, control testing, remediation activities, and reporting.
• Ensure ongoing adherence to employment, payroll, tax, privacy, and corporate governance requirements.
• Provide transparent reporting on operational risks, incidents, and compliance matters.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Information Systems, Industrial Psychology or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years’ experience leading HC digital transformation, HC technology or large-scale HC operations change.
• Leadership experience across multiple areas such as payroll, shared services, HCMS/HRIS, people data, reporting, governance or compliance.
• Proven delivery of complex, cross-functional programmes involving technology, process redesign, data, controls and organisational change.
• Strong commercial and operational capability, including business cases, budgets, vendors, benefits realisation and cost optimisation.
• Experience in a complex, multi-entity or multi-divisional environment with varied stakeholder requirements.
• Sound understanding of South African payroll, employment, tax, privacy and governance requirements.

Advantageous

• Postgraduate qualification in business, HR, technology, analytics or a related field.
• Formal programme, project, process improvement or change management certification.
• Enterprise HCMS implementation and/or large payroll or shared services transformation experience.
• Experience with people analytics, data governance, BI platforms and system integrations.