📍 Fourways, Johannesburg | Office-Based
📌 Industrial Relations Department
A Labour consulting firm is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior Labour Support Specialist to join our dynamic Industrial Relations team. This is a senior-level legal support role suited to a labour law professional with exceptional drafting ability, deep legislative knowledge, and strong organisational skills.
The successful candidate will serve as the drafting and advisory backbone of the practice, providing comprehensive legal and administrative support to Labour Attorneys, Legal Advisors, and IR Consultants attending hearings, arbitrations, court proceedings, and client consultations.
Minimum Requirements
- LLB Degree (essential)
- Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa (essential)
- LLM in Labour Law or related postgraduate qualification advantageous
- 5–8 years post-admission experience in labour and employment law
- Proven experience in:
- CCMA and bargaining council litigation
- Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court matters
- Arbitration and dispute resolution
- Section 189 / 189A retrenchment processes
- Corporate employment law advisory
- Knowledge of Immigration Act compliance and foreign national employment
- Experience working with Court Online / Caselines electronic filing systems
- Strong drafting, negotiation, mediation, and advocacy skills
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities
- Valid driver’s licence and own reliable vehicle
Key Responsibilities
Labour Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Represent clients at the CCMA, bargaining councils, Labour Court, and Labour Appeal Court
- Handle conciliation, arbitration, con-arb proceedings, and review applications
- Manage disputes relating to:
- Unfair dismissals
- Automatically unfair dismissals
- Unfair labour practices
- Constructive dismissals
- Organisational rights disputes
- Strike-related matters
- Draft pleadings, legal opinions, heads of argument, and settlement agreements
Collective Labour Relations
- Lead retrenchment consultation processes under Sections 189 and 189A
- Advise on collective bargaining and industrial relations strategies
- Handle protected and unprotected strike action matters
- Advise on lockouts, picketing rules, and union recognition agreements
Employment Law Advisory & Compliance
- Draft and review employment contracts and workplace policies
- Conduct employment law compliance audits
- Advise clients on POPIA, OHSA, COIDA, UIF, and related legislation
- Provide strategic legal guidance aligned with evolving labour legislation and case law
Leadership & Client Management
- Manage a portfolio of high-level labour matters independently
- Mentor junior legal advisors and IR consultants
- Build and maintain strong client relationships
- Contribute to business development and practice growth
Key Competencies
- Strong litigation and advocacy capability
- Strategic and commercial thinking
- High attention to detail
- Ability to work independently under pressure
- Excellent negotiation and mediation skills
- Professional integrity and ethical conduct
- Strong organisational and time management abilities
Working Environment
- Hybrid working arrangement
- High-performance, deadline-driven environment
- Regular travel for hearings, consultations, and investigations
- Exposure to senior executives, HR professionals, and union representatives
- Extended hours may be required during urgent matters and trials
Remuneration & Benefits
Competitive remuneration package based on post-qualification experience, billings performance, and client portfolio value.
Additional benefits may include:
- Commission on billable hours
- Commission on new business
- Company cellphone and laptop
- Travel reimbursement
- Performance-based bonuses
If you have not heard from us within two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.
