About the Role
The Head of People & Operations is a newly created senior management role responsible for overseeing the company’s support services, including HR administration, accounts oversight, compliance, facilities, reception and IT support (within operations).
The immediate priority of the role will be taking over from a departing HR Manager and ensuring continuity and stability in people management.
In addition, the role carries technical oversight of the accounts function, with responsibility for ensuring financial processes are accurate, well controlled and consistently applied. This includes reviewing management accounts, overseeing reconciliations and journals, and working closely with the accounts team to maintain sound financial discipline. The role does not perform day-to-day bookkeeping but requires a strong accounting understanding and the ability to interrogate financial information.
As this is a new role, the successful candidate will need to take time to understand existing processes, systems and ways of working, and to build strong working relationships with established teams and senior managers before making any changes.
The role operates within a hybrid working environment, subject to company requirements. Hybrid arrangements may be adjusted should business needs change.
Requirements
People & HR Operations (Immediate Focus)
Take over HR administration following the departure of the current HR Manager.
Ensure continuity of onboarding, offboarding, leave management, probation tracking and policy compliance.
Support line managers with HR processes, documentation and employee matters.
Recruitment Support
Assist managers with recruitment administration, screening coordination, interview scheduling and reference checks.
Technical Oversight of Accounts
Provide senior-level technical oversight of the accounts department.
Review management accounts, reconciliations, journals and payroll postings for accuracy.
Ensure sound financial controls and reliable month-end processes.
Operational & Support Services Oversight
Oversee facilities, reception, office administration and IT support (within operations).
Ensure internal services and systems operate smoothly and reliably.
Compliance & Policy Discipline
Ensure consistent application of company policies across HR, finance, IT and operations.
Maintain compliance documentation and audit readiness.
Product & Strategic Support
Provide practical operational input into product projects and internal initiatives.
Participate in senior management discussions, offering considered input based on operational realities.
Experience & Fit
Minimum 5+ years’ experience in operations, HR, finance or general management roles.
Strong accounting literacy with experience overseeing financial processes.
Comfortable learning and working within existing systems and processes.
Adaptable, structured and methodical in approach.
Able to build trust with established teams and senior managers.
How to Apply
Please complete the initial application link and submit the following to hodpo@nowmedia.co.za with the subject line: Application – Head of People & Operations.
A detailed CV
A short motivation (maximum one page) explaining why this role suits your experience and working style
Brief responses to the following three questions:
Your experience overseeing HR or people operations
Your experience with financial or accounting oversight
Your experience working with senior teams in an established organisation
Contact details for two professional references (references will only be contacted at a later stage)
Office Closure Notice
Now Media will be closed from 12 December 2025. Applications will be formally reviewed from 12 January 2026.
We may contact shortlisted candidates during this period, however applicants should expect the recruitment process to formally commence from 12 January 2026.
About the Company
Now Media is a long-established B2B publishing and digital media business with more than 70 years of history. We operate a portfolio of specialist titles, directories and digital platforms serving professional audiences across travel, freight, agriculture and engineering.
We are a stable, values-driven organisation with experienced teams and established ways of working.