At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic HR team and manage operations across multiple European countries.
- Company: Join Glent Group, a top construction and engineering contractor with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, gym discounts, and wellness programmes.
- Other info: This role offers excellent career growth opportunities in an international setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while supporting a diverse workforce.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR management and strong knowledge of employment law is essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Glent Group is a specialist construction and engineering contractor delivering Civil, Structural and Architectural (CSA) packages across the Data Centre and Pharmaceutical sectors throughout Europe. Headquartered in London, Glent has established a strong reputation for safely delivering complex projects in live and fast-paced environments. The Group currently operates across Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and Ireland, employing a diverse workforce of both white-collar and blue-collar employees.
As our business continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced and hands-on HR Manager to join our London Head Office. This is a busy operational role within a growing and high-performing HR team, supporting a workforce spread across multiple countries and projects. We are looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys delivering high-quality HR operations.
The successful candidate will have experience working in high-volume organisations, ideally within construction, logistics, manufacturing, FMCG or similar sectors, where onboarding, payroll and employee administration are business-critical activities. This is not a heavily strategic or corporate HR role. Instead, we are seeking a practical, organised and detail-oriented HR professional who enjoys rolling up their sleeves, leading a team and ensuring that HR processes run smoothly. Strong attention to detail is essential, as is the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain high standards of accuracy. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting an international workforce across multiple European jurisdictions.
Working closely with the Head of People, HR & Payroll team, payroll providers and operational managers, you will help ensure that onboarding, employee administration, payroll processes, compliance requirements and day-to-day HR operations are delivered efficiently and consistently across the business.
Key Responsibilities- HR Leadership & Team Management
- Line manage the HR Officer and two HR Administrators
- Oversee the quality and accuracy of HR administration carried out by the team
- Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching, and mentoring to junior team members
- Support the professional development and performance management of the HR team
- Ensure clear ownership, priorities, and workload distribution within the team
- HR Operations & Employee Relations
- Act as a senior point of contact for managers and employees on HR matters
- Provide guidance on policies, procedures, absence, performance, and conduct
- Support and advise managers on employee relations matters, escalating complex cases to the Head of People
- Ensure consistent application of HR policies across the business
- Payroll & Data Oversight
- Oversee the preparation and accuracy of HR data provided for payroll processing
- Work closely with payroll providers and internal stakeholders to resolve payroll-related queries
- Review changes relating to salaries, allowances, leave, and employee status before submission
- Support the Head of People with payroll governance and controls
- Systems, Processes & Compliance
- Oversee the administration of HR systems (including Staffology) carried out by the HR team
- Ensure annual leave, rotations, and absences are correctly recorded and approved
- Maintain oversight of employee records and compliance documentation
- Support audits, reviews, and compliance checks as required
- Onboarding, Offboarding & Mobility
- Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes managed by the HR team
- Ensure contracts, starter documentation, and leaver processes are completed accurately and on time
- Support relocation and immigration processes in coordination with external advisers
- Ensure a consistent and compliant employee lifecycle experience
- Stakeholder Support
- Build strong working relationships with the senior leadership team and managers across the business
- Act as a reliable escalation point for HR queries and issues
- Support the Head of People in communicating HR processes and changes
- Essential
- Proven experience in an HR Manager or Senior HR Advisor role
- Demonstrated experience managing and developing junior HR team members
- Strong working knowledge of HR processes and employment law (UK essential; EU exposure desirable)
- Experience supporting payroll processes and working with payroll teams/providers
- High attention to detail and strong organisational skills
- Confident, practical communicator able to advise managers
- Able to prioritise, delegate, and oversee work effectively
- Desirable
- Experience working in an international organisation
- Experience supporting both white-collar and blue-collar workforces
- Exposure to HR systems and process improvement projects
- CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent)
- Additional language skills (German, Dutch, Romanian)
- Company pension, 4% matching contribution
- Cycle to work scheme
- Gym membership discounts
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Retail discounts through Perkbox
- Company events
Job Type: Full-time (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm), office-based
Work Location: London, N1 7EU
Candidates must have the right to permanently live and work in the UK. If you meet these requirements and are a proactive HR professional looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity in international HR, we encourage you to apply.
Glent Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Closing date: Friday, 26th June 2026.
HR Manager - Europe in Portsmouth employer: Glent Group
Glent Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London, where you can thrive as an HR Manager within a high-performing team. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including a company pension and health programmes, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Glent provides a rewarding opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful impact in international HR operations across Europe.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Manager - Europe in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the construction and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to potential employers. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Glent Group and their projects. Understand their values and how they operate across Europe. Tailor your responses to show how your hands-on HR experience aligns with their needs, especially in fast-paced environments.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Bring examples of how you've successfully managed HR operations in high-volume organisations. Be ready to discuss your experience with onboarding, payroll, and employee relations, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace HR Manager - Europe in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing teams and handling HR operations, especially in fast-paced environments like construction or logistics.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to showcase your strong attention to detail and organisational skills. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've successfully managed competing priorities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for HR and your hands-on approach. Mention how you thrive in busy environments and your commitment to delivering high-quality HR operations.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Glent Group
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you research Glent Group thoroughly. Understand their projects, values, and the sectors they operate in. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Since this role is hands-on, be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience. Think about times when you successfully managed HR operations or resolved employee relations issues. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Highlight Your Attention to Detail
Given the emphasis on accuracy in HR processes, be prepared to demonstrate your attention to detail. You might want to share examples of how you've ensured compliance or maintained high standards in previous roles, especially in fast-paced environments.
✨Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills
As you'll be managing a team, it's crucial to convey your leadership style. Discuss how you've coached and developed junior team members in the past, and be ready to explain how you prioritise tasks and delegate effectively within a busy HR team.
