Job Description: HR Manager (People Lead) — Northern HV
Role summary
Northern HV is a fast-growing electrical installation and maintenance contractor working across the UK and Europe. The HR Manager (People Lead) owns the day-to-day people function end-to-end: recruitment, onboarding, compliance (including CIS administration), training/competence records, employee relations support, and building simple, scalable HR processes that work in a project-led business.Northern HV has experienced significant growth and has further growth plans for its Training Facility in Hartlepool.
This is a hands-on role—part operational, part advisory—supporting directors, project managers, supervisors, core employees, and a wider CIS subcontractor workforce.
The successful candidate must have experience that meets the job description.
Reporting line
Reports to: Operations Manager
Works closely with: HSEQ, Finance, Commercial, Project Managers/Site Supervisors, external HR advisors, training providers.
Key responsibilities
1) Recruitment & resourcing (employees + CIS subcontractors)
* Run end-to-end recruitment for office and site roles: adverts, screening, interviews, offers, references, right-to-work (in partnership with the Northern HV management & leadership team).
* Working with Operations to maintain a “ready-to-work” CIS subcontractor pool: availability tracking, pre‑qualification, performance feedback loop.
* Coordinate hiring plans with Operations based on forward workload and mobilisation schedules.
2) Onboarding, inductions & workforce compliance
* Own onboarding for new starters: contracts, policies, handbooks, starter packs, probation checkpoints.
* Ensure all site access requirements are met: client portal onboarding, inductions, medicals (where required), security vetting (where applicable).
* Maintain up-to-date records for: right-to-work, certifications, training, PPE issue, authorisations (where applicable).
* Own the competence matrix and expiry tracker (e.g., ECS/CSCS, IPAF, PASMA, confined space, first aid, HV authorisations where relevant).
* Schedule mandatory training and refresher cycles; coordinate external training providers.
* Support directors/managers with development plans for supervisors and emerging leaders.
4)Employee relations & HR operations
* Provide first‑line HR support: absence management, performance issues, disciplinary/grievance processes (with external support as needed).
* Manage sickness, holidays, time‑off policies, and return‑to‑work processes.
* Support wellbeing initiatives appropriate for a mobile, site‑based workforce.
5)Pay, time, and people data (in partnership with Finance)
* Ensure accurate people inputs for payroll: starters/leavers, changes, overtime rules, allowances, holiday pay data.
* Help improve timesheet discipline and accuracy (office + site) to support job costing and compliance.
* Maintain basic HR metrics: headcount, turnover, time-to-hire, training compliance, absence.
* Maintain HR policies and handbook; ensure staff understanding and consistent application.
* Support managers with communications, engagement, and creating a high‑performance, safety‑first culture.
* Drive continuous improvement of HR processes and tools (simple systems over complexity).
7)External partners & compliance interface
* Manage relationships with external HR advisors, recruitment agencies, and training providers.
* Support audits where HR evidence is required (ISO 9001/45001/27001 elements, client audits, supplier assessments).
* Ensure GDPR‑aligned handling of employee/subcontractor data.
Required experience & skills
* Proven HR experience (ideally in construction/engineering/contracting or similar).
* Strong working knowledge of UK employment basics: contracts, probation, absence, disciplinary/grievance.
* Recruitment experience across blue‑collar and white‑collar roles.
* Confident communicator with the ability to handle sensitive issues discreetly and fairly.
* Highly organised: able to run trackers, manage deadlines, and keep records audit‑ready.
* Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, practical business with site‑based teams.
Desirable (All points not required, potential areas of development for the right person)
* CIPD Level 3 or 5 (or equivalent experience).
* Experience supporting CIS subcontractor processes and construction compliance (CSCS/ECS, inductions, RAMS interface).
* Familiarity with ISO audit evidence requirements (esp. 9001/45001; 27001 helpful).
* Experience implementing simple HR or onboarding systems (HRIS, SharePoint, Teams workflows).
Personal attributes
* Pragmatic, calm, and solutions‑focused.
* Strong integrity and confidentiality.
* Comfortable challenging respectfully and enforcing standards.
* Builds trust with both site teams and directors.
Working arrangements
Location: Hartlepool based 08:00-16:30 Monday-Friday
* Any additional questions? Please contact coral.thomas@northernhv.co.uk
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