At a Glance
- Tasks: Build relationships, support leaders, and drive people strategies across multiple projects.
- Company: Join Laing O'Rourke, a leading engineering and construction company with over 150 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private medical insurance, enhanced pension, and 33 days holiday plus volunteering day.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of specialist businesses while thriving in a dynamic, multi-site environment.
- Qualifications: Experienced HR professional with strong relationship-building skills and HR knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
At Laing O'Rourke, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Location: Dartford HQ, with nationwide travel to regional offices and project sites. This is an opportunity to work closely with senior leaders, influence projects across the UK, and play a key role in shaping the future of our specialist in-house businesses – including Expanded, Vetter, Select Plant Hire, Crown House Technologies and Explore Manufacturing. You’ll support a workforce of around 600 people across multiple projects and locations, working as part of a close-knit partnering team of three People professionals and the wider central People Operations function. With significant growth and transformation underway, we’re looking for someone who thrives in change and can help guide it.
The Role
- Build trusted relationships with operational leaders, gaining a deep understanding of their projects and people.
- Act as the first point of contact for all people-related matters, supported by our specialist ER, Reward, Resourcing and Talent teams.
- Coach and support leaders to manage, develop and motivate their teams.
- Anticipate people challenges and design proactive, forward-thinking solutions.
- Use data and reporting to inform decision-making and tell compelling stories that drive action.
- Sit on senior leadership teams (SLTs), contributing to business and project strategy by identifying opportunities, risks and people implications.
- Drive consistency in people processes, governance and compliance across business units and projects.
- Support succession planning, talent reviews and recruitment strategies that promote internal mobility, career growth and diversity & inclusion.
About You
- You’re an experienced HR professional who thrives in a dynamic, multi-site environment and values being closely connected to the business.
- With a proactive mindset and a passion for driving organisational effectiveness, you’ll help shape the future of our specialist businesses.
- Experience in change management and organisational design is highly desirable, as you’ll play a key role in supporting evolving structures, enabling culture shifts and guiding strategic workforce planning.
- Experience supporting multiple business units, projects and/or locations.
- Proven ability to build relationships and influence senior leaders with confidence.
- Strong HR knowledge and experience, ideally with CIPD Level 5+.
- Comfort with HR systems and data – using insights to drive action.
- Background in construction, engineering or a similar environment (advantageous, not essential).
About Us
Laing O'Rourke are an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia. Certainty, reliability, quality – this is what our clients want. And at Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O'Rourke's story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.
As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long term conditions and disabilities through the ‘Offer an interview scheme’. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know if you would like to opt in to this scheme and let us know if you require any adjustments for the interview process. We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please email resourcingteam@laingorourke.com.
We offer a competitive remuneration package (base salary + car/travel allowance) with access to Private Medical Insurance; enhanced pension and parental leave schemes; Life/Dental/Critical illness insurance and income protection; 33 days holiday inc. bank holidays + 1 paid day for volunteering; professional development opportunities and more!
People Partner in Dartford employer: Laing O'Rourke
At Laing O'Rourke, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Dartford HQ and across various project sites. Our culture is built on collaboration and innovation, providing employees with ample opportunities for professional growth and development while supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce. With a competitive remuneration package, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to employee well-being, we empower our people to thrive in their careers and make a meaningful impact in the engineering and construction industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Partner in Dartford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to folks on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Be prepared for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their projects and values, especially how they relate to people management. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! When discussing your experiences, frame them in a way that highlights your impact on people and projects. Use data and examples to back up your claims, making it easier for interviewers to see your potential.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Laing O’Rourke and contributing to their exciting journey.
We think you need these skills to ace People Partner in Dartford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the People Partner role. Highlight your HR knowledge, change management experience, and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your ability to build relationships and influence senior leaders.
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since data-driven decision-making is key in this role, don’t forget to mention your comfort with HR systems and how you've used data to inform actions in previous positions. We love seeing candidates who can turn numbers into compelling stories!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Laing O'Rourke
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Laing O'Rourke's values, projects, and the specific role of a People Partner. Familiarise yourself with their specialist businesses and recent developments in the construction and engineering sectors. This will help you connect your experience to their needs and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Given the dynamic nature of the role, expect questions that assess your ability to handle change and influence senior leaders. Think of specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated challenges or implemented strategic HR initiatives. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Showcase Your Data Savvy
As the role involves using data to inform decision-making, be ready to discuss how you've used HR metrics in previous roles. Prepare to share examples of how you've turned data insights into actionable strategies, especially in areas like talent management and succession planning. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and strategic mindset.
✨Emphasise Relationship Building
Building trusted relationships is key for a People Partner. Be prepared to talk about how you've successfully collaborated with operational leaders in the past. Highlight your communication skills and any techniques you use to foster strong partnerships, as this will resonate well with the interviewers looking for someone who can influence and support their teams.
