Apply for the HR Officer job at Bridge House School near Stellenbosch

HR Officer

Bridge House School
Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Permanent | Starting Date: 1 January 2027

About the Role

Bridge House School is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school nestled in the beautiful Cape Winelands, close to Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl.

The school is known for its forward-thinking approach, embracing innovation and change while preparing students for the future. It’s a vibrant, distinctive community where both staff and students thrive.

Bridge House is now looking for an efficient, detail-oriented, and personable HR Officer to join their team. This is a full-time, permanent position reporting to the Business Manager. If you’re passionate about people, compliance, and making a difference in an educational environment, this could be your next career move.

What You’ll Be Doing

As the HR Officer, you’ll play a vital role in supporting the school’s safeguarding framework and ensuring smooth daily HR operations for academic, administrative, and sports staff. Your key responsibilities will include:

Recruitment & Selection

  • Drafting and posting job vacancies on relevant school, ISASA, and industry portals.
  • Assisting recruitment panels with CV screening and candidate shortlisting against defined job criteria.
  • Coordinating interview schedules, panel packs, and candidate communications.
  • Attending recruitment interviews as the HR representative, ensuring accurate documentation of panel discussions, decisions, and selection rationale.

Onboarding & Compliance

  • Coordinating and verifying all required pre-employment screening and safeguarding checks, including:
    • SACE registration (where applicable)
    • Child Protection Register checks
    • National Register for Sex Offences checks
    • Criminal record screening
  • Issuing offer letters and employment contracts.
  • Managing the full onboarding process for new staff.

Records & Administration

  • Maintaining complete, confidential physical and digital employee records in strict adherence to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) .
  • Assisting staff with pension fund queries.
  • Processing UIF (UI-19) and COIDA documentation.

Skills Development & Reporting

  • Assisting with the preparation and submission of annual Skills Development documentation, including the Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) and Annual Training Report (ATR) to the relevant SETA.
  • Maintaining supporting records for grant claims.
  • Supporting the school’s eligibility for applicable SETA grants.

Leave & Workforce Management

  • Tracking and auditing all leave types (annual, sick, family responsibility, study, and parental leave) in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and school policies.
  • Maintaining administrative records for substitute/relief teachers and extra-mural coaches.
  • Gathering workforce data to support Employment Equity (EE) and ETDP SETA (WSP/ATR) reporting.

Staff Support & Wellness

  • Providing administrative support for disciplinary hearings, performance reviews, and exit interviews.
  • Supporting staff wellness initiatives.

What We Are Looking For

Qualifications & Experience

  • Education: A Diploma or Degree in Human Resource Management or Business Administration (NQF Level 6/7).
  • Experience: Minimum 2–4 years of proven experience in an HR administrative role.
  • Bonus: Experience in a South African independent school or educational environment is highly advantageous.

Legal & Statutory Knowledge

  • A clear working knowledge of South African labour legislation, including:
    • Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA)
    • Labour Relations Act (LRA)
    • Employment Equity Act (EEA)
    • Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)
  • Familiarity with school compliance requirements (SACE, NRSO).

Technical Skills

  • High proficiency in MS Office (Excel and Word) and Google Suite.
  • Experience with payroll software (familiarity with SimplyPay and d6 would be advantageous).

Personal Attributes

  • High integrity and a demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
  • Strong organisational and multi-tasking skills.
  • Exceptional interpersonal communication.

How to Apply

Ready to join this vibrant school community?

Please upload your CV and a letter of motivation via the following link:

👉 [Google Link to HR Officer Application]

Closing date for applications: 6 September 2026

Important Information

  • Bridge House School is an equal opportunity employer.
  • Failure to meet the minimum requirements will result in automatic disqualification.
  • Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
  • The school reserves the right not to proceed with filling the post.

POPIA Disclaimer

Bridge House, in line with POPIA, will attempt to ensure the confidentiality of all applicants. All reasonable measures will be in place to protect personal information, which will be used in the recruitment, selection, and reporting process. By submitting your application, you are recognising and accepting this disclaimer.

FAQs

1. What does an HR Officer do at a school?
An HR Officer at a school handles recruitment, staff onboarding, compliance checks, leave management, skills development reporting, and provides administrative support for disciplinary and performance processes. They also ensure the school complies with all South African labour laws and safeguarding requirements.

2. What qualifications do I need?
You’ll need a Diploma or Degree in Human Resource Management or Business Administration (NQF Level 6/7), along with 2–4 years of experience in an HR administrative role.

3. Do I need school experience?
Experience in a South African independent school or educational environment is highly advantageous but not strictly required. The school is looking for someone with strong HR fundamentals and a willingness to learn the education sector.

4. What is the starting date?
The starting date for this permanent role is 1 January 2027.

5. Where is Bridge House School located?
The school is situated close to Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl in the beautiful Western Cape Winelands.

6. What safeguarding checks are required?
The school conducts pre-employment screening including SACE registration checks, Child Protection Register checks, National Register for Sex Offences checks, and criminal record screening.

7. When is the closing date?
The closing date for applications is 6 September 2026.