Shape Futures: Become the Human Resource Manager at a Top-Tier Nigerian Secondary School

Are you a seasoned Human Resources professional passionate about fostering an environment where talent thrives and educational excellence is paramount? The People Practice, dedicated to empowering startups and accelerating impact through bespoke people-centric solutions, is excited to announce a pivotal opportunity. We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Human Resource Manager for our esteemed client, a leading co-educational secondary school in Nigeria.

This is more than just an HR role; it's a chance to significantly contribute to the strategic growth and operational excellence of an institution committed to shaping the next generation. As Human Resource Manager, you will report directly to the CEO and Executive Directors, overseeing all facets of human resources – from employment and employee relations to compensation, benefits, and beyond. Your expertise will be instrumental in building a robust, transparent, and equitable HR framework that supports both staff development and the school's overarching mission.

About The People Practice & Our Client

The People Practice prides itself on connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities, helping organizations scale and achieve their potential. Our client is a prestigious co-educational secondary school in Nigeria, renowned for its commitment to academic rigor and holistic student development. They understand that their greatest asset is their people, and they are looking for an HR leader to champion their workforce.

Key Responsibilities: Driving HR Excellence

As Human Resource Manager, your principal accountabilities will include:

Standardizing HR Operations: Developing and implementing proper processes to ensure all HR activities are standardized, efficient, and aligned with best practices.
Strategic Recruitment & Onboarding: Establishing transparent and effective testing processes for recruitment across the organization. You will ensure recruitment targets are met, and that all administration and processes adhere strictly to corporate HR standards.
Performance Management & Development: Communicating and overseeing the performance management system and process. This includes conducting needs analysis studies, collaborating with managers to identify training requirements, and working with top management to plan the development of high-potential staff to ensure fast-track growth and retention.
Compensation & Benefits: Partnering with line managers and senior management on annual compensation reviews and developing a clear policy and approach for these actions. This involves conducting moderate to complex job pricing and market analyses, participating in industry surveys, and making annual recommendations for salary scale adjustments based on market conditions.
Job Design & Appraisal Oversight: Overseeing the preparation and revision of job descriptions. Providing leadership and direction for the company’s performance management system, ensuring appraisals are completed timely and in accordance with policy, and assisting managers in their preparation.
HR Operations & Policy Adherence: Directing and controlling the operational aspects of the HR function to ensure cost-effective and timely services. You will advise and monitor to ensure HR policies are implemented consistently, upholding the company's core values regarding its people, and advising all employees on HR and employee relations policies.

What We're Looking For: Essential Skills & Attributes

To succeed in this role, you will possess:

Exceptional Interpersonal & Negotiation Skills: The ability to build rapport, influence, and negotiate effectively across all levels of the organization.
Collaborative & Team-Oriented: A work style that fosters cooperation and teamwork, enabling effective partnerships with management and staff.
Strong Analytical Acumen: Including the ability to extract, compile, and meticulously analyze data to inform strategic decisions.
Impeccable Discretion: The utmost ability to handle confidential company and employee information with complete discretion and integrity.
Advanced Communication Skills: Superior verbal and written communication skills in English are essential, coupled with effective interpersonal skills. Knowledge of a local language would be a definite advantage.
Sound Judgment & Decision-Making: The capacity to exercise discretion and good judgment, understanding the overall effect of decisions on the company.

Qualifications: Your Foundation for Success

Candidates for this role should meet the following qualifications:

A university degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Behavioral Science, or Social Science. A postgraduate qualification in HR is highly preferable.
A minimum of 10-15 years of progressive experience in general human resources or related work, ideally within the Educational or Hospitality industry.
Demonstrable familiarity with local labor and employment law and practices in Nigeria.
Sound knowledge of various local and international human resources standards across compensation, employee relations, general benefits, employment and staffing practices, and organizational development.
The ability to review and interpret survey and other HR-related data effectively.
Proven leadership and management skills, particularly in recruitment, addressing HR gaps, setting, and effectively tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
The capability to work effectively and collaboratively with all levels of employees, including top, middle, and supervisory management.

Make Your Mark

This is an outstanding opportunity for a strategic HR leader to make a tangible impact on the future of a prominent educational institution. If you are ready to bring your expertise to a role that demands both operational excellence and strategic foresight, we encourage you to apply.