Our client, a well-regarded and ambitious company within the construction industry, is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of People to lead their People function and deliver on their company’s goals. This is a key leadership role responsible for developing and executing the people strategy to support organisational growth, enhance performance, improve employee engagement, and build a robust pipeline of future talent. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s culture, supporting leadership development, and ensuring the retention of top talent.
Job Title: Head of People
Location: North Manchester
Salary: c.£60,000 - £65,000 plus bonus and excellent benefits
Contract: Permanent
Hybrid: 4 Days in the Office & 1 Day WFH
Role Responsibilities
* Create, review, and update job descriptions and role profiles regularly to ensure clarity in expectations, responsibilities, and opportunities for growth.
* Equip team leaders and managers with essential people management skills, including conflict resolution, performance management, absence management, and supporting employee well-being.
* Review, communicate, and embed policies to ensure consistency across the organisation.
* Implement performance reviews with SMART objectives for all employees, ensuring alignment with company goals and performance expectations.
* Work with managers to establish clear, measurable objectives tailored to each employee’s role, including operational, management, and company-wide goals.
* Foster a culture of continuous feedback between managers and employees, conducting regular 1-2-1 meetings to provide guidance, celebrate achievements, and address challenges.
* Identify high-potential employees and create personalised development plans to prepare them for future leadership roles. Provide training, mentoring, and stretch assignments to enhance their skills.
* Develop a robust trainee/apprenticeship program to fill operational skills gaps and build in succession planning.
* Build relationships with local colleges, recruitment agencies, and community initiatives to create a sustainable talent pipeline.
* Develop and implement internal trainee and apprentice frameworks in collaboration with external skills providers to strengthen workforce capabilities.
* Lead initiatives that empower managers to foster an inclusive culture, emphasising team-building, open communication, recognition programs, and leadership modelling.
* Continuously evaluate and enhance staff benefits to boost morale and engagement. Include a comprehensive package of financial, health, wellbeing, work-life balance, and recognition benefits.
* Partner with external providers to offer relevant technical certifications and upskilling opportunities.
* Ensure that all people managers receive training in people management and leadership
* Implement and manage online learning tools, ensuring employees can access training anytime, especially for site-based roles.
* Drive employee engagement through cultural surveys and tailored communication strategies that consider the needs of different business areas, including construction site workers, factory workers, and office-based colleagues.
* Develop an onboarding program that introduces new hires to the company’s culture early, emphasising values, expectations, and organisational fit.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
* A capable and qualified HR leader who creates the right environment for colleagues to thrive.
* Experience in developing and executing HR strategies that support company growth and scale-up.
* Strong background in recruitment, performance management, employee engagement, and talent development.
* Knowledge of HR best practices, including people management, succession planning, absence management, and policy implementation.
* Demonstrable success in driving cultural change and embedding company values within teams.
* Ability to partner with senior leaders to drive business goals and influence decision-making.
* Experience in managing employee benefits programs, including benchmarking and enhancing packages.
* Proven experience in developing trainee/apprentice frameworks with external skills providers.
* Understanding of social value engagement, including recruitment alignment, reporting, and valuations.
* Experience in conducting cultural surveys and employee engagement initiatives across diverse work environments (construction sites, factories, and offices).
Lily Shippen is a leading business and executive support recruitment agency in the UK. We recruit top-tier talent across HR, executive support, and business operations roles, ensuring organisations can access the expertise needed to thrive.
We recruit for a broad range of positions, including Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Office Managers, Chief of Staff, and HR roles. Our services span across Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, London, and the wider UK, including remote and international roles. Whether you’re hiring for permanent, temporary, or fixed-term contracts, we offer tailored recruitment solutions to meet your needs.