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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic HR team and ensure top-notch support for employees.
- Company: Join Laing O'Rourke, a global leader in engineering and construction.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working options and commitment to inclusivity for all applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in HR while working on exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and knowledge of HR best practices required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
12-month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover) Starting June/July 2026
Location: Head Office, Dartford, Kent
This is a key role supporting the People Services team, responsible for overseeing HR administration support for the business and contributing to organisational initiatives. You will play a critical part in ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, efficient and compliant HR service.
The Role
- Providing line management responsibilities and coordinating working patterns for a team of six, including team development, management of working patterns and supporting professional apprentice placements
- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation and providing guidance on HR policies and processes to ensure consistent and compliant application
- Acting as an escalation point and providing general support for the team of People Services Administrators in delivering first-line support to employees across the full lifecycle of employment
- Overseeing and monitoring team backlogs and workload distribution
- Acting as the ISO HR control owner and attending company audits as required
- Managing HR drives and confidentiality agreements
- Undertaking regular process reviews, driving efficiencies and automation through effective use of HRIS functionality
- Reviewing People Services communications and refining content as required in line with business updates and changes to processes
- Supporting People function projects with a HR lens, including process implementation and improvement, considering the employee experience
- Assisting the team with ongoing duties where workload demands require additional support
- Reviewing dashboards and HR metrics to support data-driven decision making
- Working closely and collaboratively with Legal, Reward and the People Leads as key stakeholders to ensure the business remains compliant
About You
- A strong team leader with a collaborative approach and the ability to build strong relationships both within and beyond the team
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- A solution-focused mindset with a professional approach to handling sensitive and confidential information
- Comfortable embracing change with the ability to design and implement new processes aligned to evolving business needs
- Highly organised and proactive, with the confidence to work across multiple HR systems, including SuccessFactors, eArcu and iTrent
Key Skills
- CIPD Level 5 qualification is desirable
- Knowledge of appropriate employment law and HR best practices
- Proven experience managing a team and delivering HR services within a complex, geographically dispersed environment
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Analytical mindset with the ability to improve processes and use data to make informed decisions
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
People Services Manager in Kent employer: Laing O'Rourke
Contact Detail:
Laing O'Rourke Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land People Services Manager in Kent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. This will help you tailor your responses and show how you can contribute to their team. Plus, it’ll make you feel more confident when discussing your fit for the People Services Manager role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable talking about your experience managing teams and handling HR processes. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel when you’re in front of the hiring panel.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace People Services Manager in Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the People Services Manager role. Highlight your experience in HR administration and team management, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications like your CIPD Level 5!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your communication skills and explain how your background aligns with our needs. Be sure to mention your approach to handling sensitive information and your experience with HRIS systems.
Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills: As a key part of this role involves managing a team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've developed teams and managed workloads effectively in your previous roles.
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 ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Laing O'Rourke
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest employment legislation and HR best practices. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics, but that you’re also proactive about staying informed.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a People Services Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on your collaborative approach and how you've developed team members. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively.
✨Be Data-Driven
Familiarise yourself with HR metrics and dashboards. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to make informed decisions in previous roles. This will highlight your analytical mindset and your ability to drive efficiencies.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Think about potential scenarios you might face in this role, such as handling sensitive information or managing workload distribution. Practising your responses will help you articulate your solution-focused mindset during the interview.