Open to opportunities

Shireen Sataar

@shireensataar

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Experienced HR leader driving HR transformation, talent and organizational change across Africa.

South Africa

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What I'm looking for

I seek a senior HR leadership role in a multinational where I can lead culture change, HR transformation, talent strategy and HR systems implementation, partnering with executives to drive measurable business impact.

I am a strong HR generalist and senior HR leader with broad experience across the entire HR value chain in large multinationals, having led HR functions across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. I serve as a strategic business partner to executive teams and leaders.

I have driven major HR projects including job architecture and grading, payroll cloud transitions, HRIS implementations and large-scale section 189/189(A) processes. I have been promoted rapidly in roles where I delivered measurable HR improvements and received multiple divisional and company awards for HR service delivery and engagement.

My academic background includes an MA in HR and Labour, a Strategic Business Management diploma from UCT, and a published master's thesis; I also hold certified profiler credentials (DDI, PPA, OPQ). I combine practical HR operations experience with strong OD, employee relations and talent management capabilities.

I am a pragmatic, results-driven leader who designs and implements sustainable HR solutions that improve organizational performance, employee experience and compliance. I am eager to apply my experience leading complex, cross-border HR programmes in similarly ambitious organisations.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

HR Consultant

Current

Beyond Transform Consulting

May 2025 - Present (4 months)

Deliver HR projects including section 189 processes, job grading and job architecture for large corporations and NGOs, subcontracting to firms such as 360 Degree Consulting to support organization design. Advise manufacturing, finance, IT/telecom and humanitarian clients to modernize HR frameworks and processes.

Organizational Design Job Architecture Section 189 Change Management Project Management Stakeholder Engagement

Head of HR Africa Cluster

Alcon

Mar 2023 - May 2025 (2 years 2 months)

Served as strategic HR business partner for a 54-country African cluster, leading workforce planning, talent acquisition, payroll and a job architecture modernization project that improved HR delivery across the cluster. Drove culture alignment, performance management and employment equity compliance as an EXCO member.

HR strategy Workforce Planning Talent Acquisition Job Architecture Payroll Management HRIS Change Management

Head of HR Middle East & Africa

Abbott Rapid Diagnostics

Nov 2020 - Feb 2023 (2 years 3 months)

Led HR for Middle East & Africa (including support to Eastern Europe) across 54 countries, implementing cloud payroll transitions, standardized HR policies, competency-based TA processes and an onboarding framework to stabilize operations post-COVID. Managed HR analytics, employment equity/BBBEE and large-scale change initiatives.

Talent Acquisition Policy Design Onboarding HR Analytics Change Management

HR Operations Executive

Liquid Telecom

Apr 2019 - Oct 2020 (1 year 6 months)

Improved HR operations group-wide, implemented Sage 300 HR and led job architecture and competency framework rollouts, supporting talent management, payroll and HR analytics across the LTSA group. Drove HR automation, onboarding standardization and COVID-19 task force initiatives.

HRIS Implementation Talent Management Payroll HR Analytics Change Management

Group Country Head HR

Knorr-Bremse

Mar 2015 - Mar 2019 (4 years)

Led country HR for three legal entities and a Mozambique plant, managing industrial relations, compensation, training and employment equity; drove HRIS and performance management improvements resulting in external-audit recognition as a top-performing HR function. Represented company in bargaining council processes.

Compensation Benefits HRIS Performance Management Learning Development Payroll Policy Development

Senior HR Manager

Faurecia

Mar 2014 - Feb 2015 (11 months)

Managed plant HR for a 400-employee automotive site, leading union negotiations, employment equity, payroll integration (SAP) and HR quality audits to stabilize employee relations and compliance. Drove L&D and wellness programs and supported Faurecia Excellence System activities.

Negotiation HR Compliance Compensation

Divisional HR Manager

Lear Corporation

Feb 2011 - Feb 2014 (3 years)

Directed HR for a 1,200-employee electrical division, overseeing recruitment, union relations, section 197 transfers, performance management and BBBEE programs to reduce industrial action and improve HR analytics and compliance. Managed payroll input and HR auditing for TS/ISO requirements.

Section 197 Transfers Performance Management BBBEE Recruitment HR Program Audits Payroll

Regional HR Lead

Veyance Technologies

Jan 2007 - Jan 2011 (4 years)

Provided regional HR leadership for a 5,000-employee operation, led business re-design and section 197 processes, implemented SAP HR and delivered HRIS and process automation projects that saved approximately R5 million per month in combined efficiencies. Managed compensation, learnerships and BBBEE reporting.

Learnership Compensation Benefits HRIS BBBEE Learnerships

General Manager HR

Mario Levi Manufacturing

Nov 2005 - Dec 2006 (1 year 1 month)

Led HR operations for an 850-employee manufacturing site, implementing HR policies, performance management, disciplinary processes and training programs while managing site committees and occupational health and safety compliance. Drove organizational change and workforce planning.

HR Policies Performance Management Training Development Recruitment

Senior HR Consultant

Volkswagen South Africa

Mar 2005 - Oct 2005 (7 months)

Provided HR consulting for a 5,500-employee automotive plant, supporting recruitment, job evaluation, organizational design diagnostics and union consultation to improve HR processes and compliance. Delivered training workshops and advised on compensation and grading.

Organizational Design Recruitment Union Consultation HR Training Compensation

HR Manager

Shatterprufe

Jan 2003 - Feb 2005 (2 years 1 month)

Managed HR for a 450-employee chemical/automotive component plant, leading recruitment, job evaluation, performance appraisal, disciplinary processes and HR development initiatives to strengthen employee relations and compliance. Oversaw benefits and budgeting for site HR activities.

Recruitment Performance Management Employee Development Benefits Administration

Human Resources Officer

Standard Bank of South Africa

Jan 1996 - Dec 2002 (6 years 11 months)

Managed industrial relations, disciplinary processes, CCMA conciliations and employee assistance programs while supporting recruitment and HR policy queries across the bank, ensuring compliance with BCEA, LRA and EE legislation. Conducted exit interviews and supported staff well-being initiatives.

CCMA Representation Employee Support Recruitment HR Policies Exit Interviews