Colas Ltd is a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, operating in over 50 countries worldwide. We specialise in highways construction and maintenance and manufacture innovative surfacing products. We award a ’Gold Investor in People’ for continuous employee development and offer excellent career potential.
Purpose of the Role
As HR Advisor for our National Highways Area 9 contract, you will support managers and employees across multiple depots, ensuring a fair and legally compliant workplace. Focusing on employee relations, you will provide expert advice on conduct, performance, absence and grievance matters, manage complex casework and investigations, and help embed effective people‑management practices. You will contribute to a positive culture that supports a safe, productive highway network and reduces organisational risk through early intervention.
Main Responsibilities
You will act as the first point of contact for employee relations queries, advising managers and employees and ensuring the consistent application of policies, collective agreements and employment law.
The role involves managing end‑to‑end ER casework, including disciplinaries, grievances, capability and attendance matters, and planning and conducting thorough investigations, producing clear, objective reports.
You will analyse trends to identify underlying issues, support proactive solutions through training and coaching, and promote early resolution wherever possible.
Alongside this, you will build strong relationships with operational managers and HR colleagues, support wellbeing and return‑to‑work processes, maintain accurate and compliant case records, contribute to HR projects and policy development, and ensure health, safety, environmental and social value commitments are upheld.
Ideal Candidate
An experienced HR professional with a strong background in employee relations.
Required: several years handling complex, sensitive casework in a fast‑paced environment, solid knowledge of UK employment law, confidence to apply it practically, excellent judgement, discretion and impartiality.
Must be a skilled investigator, trusted advisor, comfortable influencing and coaching managers at all levels, managing competing priorities and producing high‑quality documentation.
CIPD Level 5 qualification or working towards it is expected, along with strong organisational skills, IT competence and a genuine commitment to fairness, confidentiality and continuous improvement.
Package Description
* Salary between £35,000 and £37,500 (dependent on experience and qualifications) plus company car/car allowance
* Colas Pension Scheme with combined contributions of up to 10%
* Life Assurance Scheme, which is x4 basic salary
* 25 days of annual leave per year + Public Holidays
* Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
* Hybrid Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
* Family‑Friendly Benefits, including Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay
* Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
* Ongoing personal/professional development
* Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants through our online employee benefits portal
Colas Ltd is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
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