Group HR Manager

Overview of role

Provide a comprehensive HR service to Biwater’s head office in Dorking and its regional offices overseas, offering expert advice and guidance to Biwater operating entities globally as required. The role requires an experienced HR Manager capable of recruiting for overseas positions, particularly within the engineering sector. This involves managing all aspects of human resources, from recruitment and onboarding to employee relations and compliance with employment laws.

The successful candidate will have a strong background or experience in engineering to effectively understand and navigate the market for Process, Civil, Mechanical, Structural, Electrical Engineers, and Quantity Surveyors. This expertise is crucial for ensuring that the company attracts and retains top talent in these specialised fields, which are critical to the success of Biwater\’s projects worldwide.

Qualifications and experience

• Required : A degree or relevant qualification in HR, Business Management, or CIPD Level 7+ graduate qualification.
• Desirable : Experience in international recruitment.
• Minimum : Proven HR management experience in an engineering or technical environment.

Duties and responsibilities

• Ensure effective liaison with the Board of Directors and group operating companies on all HR matters, offering reliable HR support to both local and overseas management and staff.
• Provide comprehensive and current people resource information to the Board of Directors and regional management teams.
• Support the Board of Directors and senior managers on potential HR issues.
• Advise the Board of Directors and line management on salaries and salary reviews to ensure market parity and compatibility within and between Dorking-based operating companies.
• Work with regional Managing Directors to ensure sufficient and appropriate staff resources are available to meet the strategic needs of the business.
• Recruit for overseas positions, specifically targeting the engineering market, including Process, Civil, Mechanical, Structural, Electrical Engineers, and Quantity Surveyors.
• Provide full support services to overseas projects, including resource planning, recruitment and selection, salary management, travel arrangements, and general administration for management, staff, and dependents.
• Ensure continuous development of UK and overseas employment conditions and HR policies and procedures to comply with employment legislation and current best practice.
• Ensure operating companies comply with current employment legislation and group policy.
• Ensure staff are employed in accordance with current employment legislation, group policies, and good practice.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Promote a diverse and inclusive workplace, developing related policies and initiatives.
• Oversee performance management processes, including setting performance standards and conducting evaluations.
• Provide a quality recruitment and selection service in accordance with group policy, including the comprehensive induction of new appointees.
• Be the focal point for staff development and training for Dorking, including administering the performance review process, agreeing company and individual training plans, and arranging training and development requirements.
• Coordinate Biwater House central services team to ensure the provision of professional, efficient, and cost-effective services.
• Coordinate the efforts of the office services team to ensure appropriate quality provision of all central services.
• Liaise with HR and training managers in other operating companies as appropriate.
• Maintain full personnel records of Dorking-based and expatriate staff, and all group Directors.
• Manage the corporate travel account with external travel management consultancy.

Person specification

1. Knowledge and experience

• CIPD qualified with experience in a generalist, stand‑alone management role.
• Experience working with line managers at different levels of an organisation.
• Understanding of employment law and how it can be applied commercially and in everyday practice.
• Sound working knowledge of UK employment legislation and practical experience of applying this knowledge.
• Excellent HR knowledge and expertise in developing a wide range of HR policies and procedures.
• Experience providing pragmatic and consistent advice and guidance on a broad range of generalist HR management policies and procedures.
• Background in an engineering environment.
• Experience working with staff in overseas companies.

2. Skills

• Exceptional organisational and time‑management skills.
• Ability to manage and prioritise own workloads and deadlines effectively.
• Wide range of influencing skills and the ability to challenge and negotiate with senior management.
• Excellent verbal communication, written presentation, and data analytics (HR metrics) skills.
• Capability to manage resistance to change and the expectations of senior managers.
• Ability to provide senior management coaching, mentoring, guidance, and training.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and handle multiple tasks confidently.
• High attention to detail.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in diverse environments.
• Proactive, tenacious, self‑motivated, and able to work unsupervised.
• Resilient and highly professional at all times.
• Proficiency in all Microsoft packages.

3. Internal business processes

• Adhere to company procedures.
• Assist in updating company procedures and processes as required.

4. Health safety and environment

• Monitor and enforce the latest health and safety procedures, regulations, and legislation.
• Minimise waste from all departmental activities and ensure a safe working environment for all staff.

5. Working condition

• Based at Biwater’s Headquarters in Dorking, Surrey, with necessary travel in the UK and overseas to fulfil work scope.
• Visits overseas to achieve tasks related to project execution or new business acquisition.

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