Colas Ltd are a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, which operates in over 50 countries worldwide and employs over 55,000 people including over 1500 in the UK across multiple sites. We are specialists in highways construction and have been involved in large-scale UK and international construction projects within the highways, airfields, and marine sectors as well as offering highways maintenance services and manufacturing our own innovative surfacing products. We hold a 'Gold Investor in People' award for continuously developing and rewarding our employees, offering excellent career potential.
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Purpose of the role
This is a 12-month fixed-term position being offered as maternity cover, providing an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional to take on a strategic and influential role within our team.
Main Responsibilities
In this role, you’ll act as the trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, ensuring our people-related priorities, challenges and opportunities are well supported. From employee relations and talent management to organisational change and engagement, you will guide managers through key decisions that impact their teams and the wider business.
You will take ownership of all HR policies, systems and processes within your business area(s), ensuring alignment with Group standards while supporting operational requirements. You’ll work closely with HR specialist teams—such as L&D, HR Shared Services, Reward and Recruitment—to deliver seamless HR support.
A key part of your impact will be your ability to create a culture of continuous learning, improvement and accountability. You’ll coach managers, develop HR Advisors, and champion initiatives that encourage people to grow, collaborate, and achieve their best.
This is a role with real visibility and influence, where your professionalism, diplomacy and operational understanding will help shape strong, consistent and progressive people practices across the organisation.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a progressive and experienced HR generalist who combines deep technical expertise with a passion for building positive relationships and helping others succeed. You will ideally have experience working across multi‑site or operational environments, where you have partnered with senior leaders to deliver both strategic initiatives and day‑to‑day HR support.
You’ll bring strong expertise in employee relations, organisational change, and HR best practice, along with a sound understanding of employment legislation. Experience developing HR Advisors or junior HR colleagues will be advantageous.
The ideal person will be confident, resilient and solutions‑focused, with the ability to influence decisions, challenge constructively and adapt quickly in a fast‑moving environment. Strong communication skills, commercial awareness and a coaching mindset will help you thrive.
If you have previous experience working with trade unions, supporting TUPE processes, or facilitating talent reviews, that would be highly beneficial, but a positive, proactive approach and a commitment to learning are just as important.
Package Description
* Salary of up to £55,000 per annum
* Colas Pension Scheme with combined contributions of up to 10%
* Life Assurance Scheme (x4 basic salary)
* 25 days annual leave + Public Holidays
* Family-Friendly Benefits, including enhanced maternity and paternity pay
* Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
* Hybrid working options (role dependent)
Our Culture and Values
At Colas, our culture is guided by four core values: Respect, Commitment, Pioneering, and Sharing. These values shape how we work, collaborate, and grow together. We believe that respect is the foundation of every relationship. By treating others as we wish to be treated, we foster fairness, transparency, and inclusion within our teams and with our clients, communities, and partners. Commitment means dedicating ourselves fully to everything we do. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact. With a pioneering spirit, we prioritise bold innovation over blind ambition. We welcome new ideas, invest in our people, and work to deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions that shape the future. Through sharing, we build trust and solidarity, encouraging collaboration and growth at all levels of the business.
Diversity and Inclusion
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. If you want a workplace where your voice is valued and your potential is developed, Colas is the right choice.
Note to Recruitment Agencies
In line with our Company Policy, Colas Ltd has a preference for direct hiring and we will reach out to our PSL (Preferred Suppliers List) agencies if the role is eligible for release. We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If a speculative CV is sent, no fee will be applicable.
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