HR Manager in Hitchin

Introduction

We are looking for an experienced HR Manager to join Fortem. This is a full‑time permanent position based at our Head Office in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

Reporting

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, this role is a varied and influential partnership with operational leaders, providing proactive HR support across a dedicated workstream.

The Customer

As part of the Head Office function, you will be responsible for the effective delivery of a range of HR functions and hold accountability for the overall people health of the workstream, acting as the key link between operational leaders and the wider HR function.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver people plans aligned to Fortem's culture, business objectives, growth priorities and workforce needs.
• Partner with operational leaders to translate business plans into practical people actions, using people data and colleague insight to identify risks, opportunities and improvements.
• Support organisational change, mobilisation, restructuring and transformation activity, ensuring people priorities are planned and managed effectively.
• Coach, support and challenge leaders and managers to build capability, confidence and accountability in line with Fortem's people management standards.
• Drive fair, consistent and proactive approaches to performance, attendance, development and employee relations.
• Own workforce planning for the workstream, working with leaders to understand future growth, resource requirements, succession risks and capability gaps.
• Develop workforce plans that support growth, mobilisation and changing business needs, aligning recruitment, talent, succession and development activity.
• Lead and manage complex employee relations cases, providing expert advice on employment legislation, policy, procedure and best practice.
• Identify trends and root causes behind people issues and implement preventative solutions to improve colleague experience and reduce risk.
• Coordinate activity across Talent & Development, Recruitment and the HR Support Centre to deliver agreed workstream priorities and ensure people activity is planned and delivered effectively.
• Act as the senior HR contact for leaders within the workstream, challenging and escalating where priorities, resources or delivery plans are not aligned.

What You Will Need

• CIPD Level 5 qualified or equivalent experience, with a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Significant experience in a generalist HR management or senior HR advisory role, including managing complex employee relations matters.
• Strong coaching, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with experience supporting leaders and managers at all levels.
• Experience developing people plans, supporting organisational change and partnering with leaders to identify workforce and capability requirements.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, employee relations and people management best practice.
• Commercially aware, with the ability to balance strategic priorities with operational delivery.
• Able to interpret people data and translate insight into practical action.
• Strong understanding of leadership development, organisational capability and workforce planning principles.
• UK driving licence.
• Experience within construction, social housing, repairs and maintenance, capital works or retrofit environments, including business growth, mobilisation or contract transitions.
• Experience in organisational design, workforce planning, talent, succession or leadership development programmes.
• Experience managing or developing HR team members, or holding change management/project management qualifications.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays & your birthday off (or the nearest Friday/Monday if it falls on a weekend).
• 26 weeks full‑pay maternity leave.
• Company pension.
• Discounted gym memberships at national and local gyms.
• Up to £3,000 colleague referral fee.
• Other benefits including dental care, private healthcare, cycle‑to‑work scheme, mobile phone provider discounts & more.
• We are Investors in People – Gold, we believe in equality, diversity and respect for all and encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Why Fortem

Fortem is part of the Willmott Dixon group, established in 2002. We provide specialist property solutions tailored to keep homes and buildings running smoothly. Our highly trained teams deliver a range of internal and external repairs as well as high‑quality retrofit, capital works, and maintenance services. We specialise in decarbonisation, helping clients become zero‑carbon.