HR Specialist at Pavago in South Africa, South Africa

Job Title: HR Specialist Position Type: Full-Time, Remote

Working Hours: U.S. client business hours (with flexibility for onboarding cycles, payroll timelines, and employee support needs)

About the Role: Our client is seeking an HR Specialist to manage core HR processes and ensure smooth employee lifecycle management. This role involves recruitment support, onboarding, HRIS data management, compliance, payroll coordination, and employee relations. The HR Specialist ensures that employees are supported, records are accurate, and the organization remains compliant with labor regulations.

Responsibilities:

Recruitment Support:

• Post job openings across job boards and career sites.
• Screen resumes and assist recruiters in scheduling interviews.
• Communicate with candidates during early-stage hiring.

Onboarding & Offboarding:

• Prepare offer letters, new hire packets, and orientation schedules.
• Ensure completion of compliance documentation (I-9, E-Verify, tax forms, direct deposit).
• Conduct exit processes (equipment retrieval, system access removal, exit interviews).

Employee Records & HRIS:

• Maintain accurate employee data in HRIS (BambooHR, ADP, Gusto, Zenefits, or similar).
• Track PTO, benefits enrollment, and employee status changes.
• Generate HR reports (headcount, turnover, compliance).

Payroll & Benefits Support:

• Partner with finance/payroll teams to reconcile hours, benefits, and deductions.
• Assist with benefits enrollment, open enrollment periods, and employee inquiries.
• Validate payroll data before processing.

Policy & Compliance:

• Draft and update HR policies, employee handbooks, and SOPs.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws (FMLA, FLSA, ADA, EEOC) and multi-state regulations.
• Maintain records audit-ready for external reviews.

Employee Relations:

• Act as point of contact for employee questions and concerns.
• Support performance management processes and employee engagement programs.
• Document and escalate sensitive issues to HR leadership.

Training & Development Support:

• Coordinate employee training sessions and compliance certifications.
• Track completion of required training and development milestones.

What Makes You a Perfect Fit:

• Organized and detail-oriented, with strong process management skills.
• Trusted communicator who balances empathy with compliance.
• Proactive in identifying HR process improvements.
• Comfortable supporting employees across multiple functions and geographies.

Required Experience & Skills (Minimum):

• 2+ years HR support or operations experience.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems (BambooHR, ADP, Gusto, Zenefits, or similar).
• Familiarity with U.S. labor law compliance.
• Microsoft Office/Google Workspace proficiency.

Ideal Experience & Skills:

• SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar HR certification.
• Experience with multi-state or international payroll and compliance.
• Industry exposure in SaaS, professional services, or high-growth startups.
• Process improvement or HRIS implementation experience.

What Does a Typical Day Look Like? An HR Specialist’s day revolves around supporting employees, maintaining compliance, and keeping HR operations smooth and accurate. You will:

• Update HRIS records with new hires, promotions, or departures.
• Support recruitment and onboarding, coordinating interviews and ensuring new hires are set up for success.
• Prepare and validate payroll inputs, collaborating with finance to ensure accuracy.
• Respond to employee inquiries about benefits, PTO, or HR policies.
• Maintain compliance documentation so records are audit-ready at all times.
• Assist with HR reporting for leadership on turnover, headcount, and other metrics.

In essence: you ensure the organization’s HR foundation is organized, compliant, and employee-focused.

Key Metrics for Success (KPIs):

• 100% completion of onboarding/offboarding checklists on time.
• Payroll and benefits reconciled with zero errors.
• HRIS data accuracy (no outdated or incomplete records).
• Compliance records consistently audit-ready.
• Positive feedback from employees on HR responsiveness.

Interview Process:

• Initial Phone Screen
• Video Interview with Pavago Recruiter
• Practical Task (e.g., build a sample onboarding checklist in BambooHR or prepare a compliance report)
• Client Interview
• Offer & Background Verification