1. Purpose of the Role
JN Civils is seeking an organised and proactive HR Manager to support the day-to-day delivery of HR operations across the business. The HR Manager will lead and develop the full people function across the business, partnering closely with senior leadership to support organisational growth, operational performance, employee engagement, and workforce compliance.
Reporting directly to the CFO, the role will take ownership of the HR strategy, employee lifecycle, people processes, workforce planning, and HR systems development, ensuring the business has scalable and commercially effective people practices in place.
A key focus of the role will be the implementation and optimisation of a new HR system, driving improvements in HR reporting, automation, compliance, employee experience, and management information across the organisation.
2. Key Responsibilities
Strategic HR & Business Partnering
- Lead the delivery of the company’s HR function, ensuring alignment with wider business objectives and operational requirements.
- Partner with senior management to provide commercially focused HR advice and workforce planning support.
- Support organisational development initiatives including employee engagement, retention, succession planning, and performance management.
- Review and enhance HR policies, procedures, and people processes to support business growth and compliance.
- Provide guidance and support to Managers on employee relations matters, performance issues, absence management, and disciplinary procedures.
HR Systems & Process Improvement
- Lead the implementation and ongoing development of a new HR system, including process mapping, data migration, reporting functionality, and user adoption.
- Identify opportunities to streamline and automate HR administration and reporting processes.
- Develop HR metrics and management information dashboards to support strategic decision-making.
- Ensure personnel data and HR records are maintained accurately and in line with GDPR requirements.
Recruitment, Onboarding & Talent
- Oversee recruitment activity across the business, supporting hiring managers with workforce requirements, job specifications, and candidate selection.
- Develop and improve onboarding processes to enhance employee and subcontractor experience and operational readiness.
- Coordinate company inductions, client onboarding requirements, and workforce compliance documentation.
- Support the development of training and workforce development initiatives across the business.
Payroll & Workforce Administration
- Oversee subcontractor payroll processing and support payroll-related activities in conjunction with the Finance team.
- Monitor workforce costs, overtime, and payroll reporting to support budget management and operational planning.
- Manage training-related deductions, certifications, and workforce compliance records.
HR Operations & Compliance
- Manage all employee lifecycle activities including contracts, amendments, and leaver processes.
- Ensure HR practices remain compliant with current employment legislation and industry requirements.
- Support audit, compliance, and document control activities in collaboration with operational and HSE teams.
- Produce regular HR and workforce reports including turnover, headcount, absence, and labour analysis.
Continuous Improvement
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across HR processes, systems, and employee experience.
- Contribute to wider business improvement projects and operational initiatives as required.
- Support the development of a positive, high-performance culture across the organisation.
3. Person Specification
Essential Requirements
- Proven experience operating within a standalone or senior HR role, managing the full employee lifecycle and supporting operational business functions.
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law, HR best practice, and employee relations processes.
- Experience supporting business change, process improvement, and organisational development initiatives.
- Demonstrable experience using HR systems and HR reporting tools, with confidence leading system improvements or implementation projects.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance operational requirements with people-focused solutions.
- Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong analytical and reporting capability, with the ability to produce meaningful workforce data and management information.
- Highly professional with the ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge, influence, and build effective working relationships at all levels.
- Self-motivated and capable of working autonomously while contributing positively to the wider leadership team.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and HR systems.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Desirable Requirements
- Previous experience within the construction, engineering, or infrastructure sector.
- Experience managing subcontractor or multi-site workforce arrangements.
- Experience supporting HR system implementation, process automation, or digital transformation projects.
- Knowledge of payroll processes and workforce cost reporting.
- CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification (or equivalent experience).
- Understanding of compliance and onboarding requirements within operational or site-based environments.
4. Key Behaviours & Competencies
- Commercially minded with the ability to align HR initiatives to wider business objectives.
- Proactive and solutions-focused, with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Resilient and adaptable, able to operate effectively within a fast-paced operational environment.
- Strong relationship builder with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organisation.
- Professional and credible, with sound judgement and a pragmatic approach to problem-solving.
- High levels of integrity, discretion, and accountability.
- Organised and detail-oriented, with a strong focus on quality and compliance.
- Confident managing change and supporting business transformation initiatives.
- Committed to promoting a positive, collaborative, and high-performing workplace culture.
5. Additional Information
- This role will involve occasional travel across operational sites and offices within the JN Civils operational area.
- The position offers opportunities for professional development and progression as the business continues to grow.
- Flexibility may occasionally be required to support operational and project requirements.
Pay: £45,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company car
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
