People (HR) & Recruitment Manager in Ipswich

At Specialist Passenger Solutions (SPS) we are dedicated to providing the perfect journey.

SPS was formed in 2016 and serves the passenger transport needs of the EDF Nuclear Project at Hinkley Point C (HPC)in Bridgwater, the largest construction project in Europe.

We are the only transport provider for the thousands of people who go to the construction site daily to work or visit.

We are now bringing this experience to Sizewell C in Suffolk, providing safe, reliable, and efficient transport for its workforce.

We are first and foremost a people business with our colleagues and clients at our heart.

We bring together an exceptional mix of people to provide specialist passenger transport solutions, delivering excellence in all that we do.

We continue to invest in our people, our services and state-of-the-art technology as we look to improve our customers’ experiences.

Our drivers undergo rigorous training focused on safety, responsibility, and customer service, ensuring those on board have an enjoyable journey.

SPS is a division of First Bus.

Reporting to the People Director, the People & Recruitment Manager will play a key role in delivering the People Strategy and building a positive, inclusive workplace culture.

This is a hands‑on leadership role, with an initial focus on driver recruitment, ensuring the business attracts, hires and retains high‑quality talent to support growth and client delivery.

You'll lead the People Team, drive recruitment activity, and manage employee relations, including investigations, disciplinary and grievance cases, and absence management.

In the first two years, you'll focus on embedding robust employee relations processes while ensuring recruitment keeps pace with business growth.

Duties include

• Leading and managing the recruitment team to deliver the required establishment, selecting for personality first.
• Working with the People Director to create an effective recruitment strategy to meet the business needs and support the People Strategy.
• Working with the operations team to ensure that we have up to date forecasted establishment figures and that the recruitment pipeline meets these requirements in terms of any increase in driver numbers.
• Ensuring an effective and robust process of recruitment from start to finish, including supporting department managers to produce effective job descriptions and ensuring they are fit for purpose.
• A fair and consistent process in line with all legislation.
• All Right to Work, DVLA, Safety Critical Medicals and other critical recruitment processes being followed.
• Adhering to all SPS policies and procedures at all times.
• The Applicant Tracking System and on‑boarding section of Workday.
• Ensuring Employee Relations (ER) cases are handled in a consistent, fair, and timely manner, adhering to employment law and regulatory requirements.
• Chairing weekly ER Case meetings with People and Operations Management teams to ensure alignment and compliance with SPS policies and industrial regulations.
• Conducting weekly reviews of long‑term absence cases to ensure all timescales are in accordance with both legislation and SPS policies.
• Working with the Learning and Development Manager to ensure all managers receive the necessary training to perform their roles effectively.
• Conducting regular reviews of HR processes and policies to ensure they remain compliant with current employment legislation and industry regulations.
• Getting out into the community to promote SPS as a great employer and talent developer.
• Working with the Communications team to find inventive ways of advertising roles to attract great people.

Criteria

Essential

• Proven experience delivering high‑volume, in‑house recruitment using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), with excellent knowledge of recruitment best practice and employment legislation.
• Experience managing employee relations cases, Trade Union relationships, payroll, and HR systems.
• 2 years plus experience of working within a people function.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of employment law and a minimum CIPD Level 3 qualification.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office, and experience using recruitment advertising and attraction strategies.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Flexible approach to working hours to support a 24/7 operation.

Desirable

• Experience of managing recruitment within a complex business environment.
• Occupational Health management
• Colleague Survey implementation and outcomes
• Equivalent to A level or Level 3 education.
• Knowledge of the transport sector.

Benefits

• Annual pay review
• Smart health cover - our award‑winning employee assistance program offers 24/7 confidential support for you and your family
• Pension – 5% contributory pension matched by us
• Employee retail discount scheme
• Free bus travel & significantly reduced rail travel for you & your family member
• Life assurance
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted Gym membership

All employees must be willing to undergo the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check and obtain a DBS certificate.

These checks help ensure the honesty and integrity of individuals working at a Nuclear Licensed Site or with sensitive nuclear information.

SPS Bus welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to diversity and inclusion regardless of gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or age.

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