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- Tasks: Lead HR strategies and support operational teams in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Lanes Group, the UK's largest independent infrastructure delivery partner with over 4,000 employees.
- Benefits: Enjoy 24 days holiday, health cash plan, onsite perks, and a friendly work culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that values your expertise and invests in your career growth.
- Qualifications: 2+ years HRBP experience, strong interpersonal skills, and a proactive approach required.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 45000 ÂŁ per year.
Join to apply for the Senior HR Advisor role at Lanes Group
At Lanes Group nothing is more important than the health, safety and well‑being of our people and our customers. It’s a major reason we are the UK’s largest independent specialist infrastructure delivery partner of choice with a turnover in excess of £530 million (EBITDA £45 m), with over 4,000 brilliant people and a countrywide network of operational locations. Our services cover the majority of the FTSE 100 and 250.
Strong leadership is at our heart, supporting our people while ensuring they are engaged with purpose, rewarded and recognised and that we deliver absolute, exacting operational excellence. In this critical role of ensuring our organisation is known for being the best in everything we do, for leaving a legacy of absolute quality and compliance, and for keeping our promises at all times, we rely on this ability.
Reporting to the Head of People, the Senior HR Advisor plays a critical role as a strategic partner and change agent, ensuring that HR initiatives drive business success. The position is both strategic and hands‑on, working closely with operational leaders to deliver effective people solutions that align with contract objectives and business goals. The Senior HR Advisor will be a key driver of workforce engagement, performance and development across a fast‑paced, field‑based environment.
Position
Senior HR Advisor
Location
Customer Solutions Centre, Slough Head Office (Slough, Berkshire). Please note this role is in office only. You may be required to travel to depots on our network based in Ilford, Kidlington, Swindon, Abbey Wood, Ware, Camberley and Colnbrook.
Job Type
Permanent, full‑time
Hours
Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week (8:30 am – 5 pm)
Salary
ÂŁ40,000 to ÂŁ50,000 per annum, depending upon experience
Benefits
24 days holiday (plus bank holidays); health cash plan; onsite parking; onsite restaurant; auto‑enrolment pension scheme; wellbeing support; friendly working environment.
About The Role
- Strategic HR Leadership – Partner with operational managers and senior leaders to design and execute people strategies aligned with the contract’s service delivery goals. Understand the contractual, commercial and regulatory context to ensure HR interventions drive operational success. Serve as a trusted advisor to contract leadership, contributing to strategic planning, workforce optimisation and risk mitigation.
- Employee Relations & Policy Compliance – Lead complex and high‑risk employee relations cases, investigations, disciplinary actions, grievances, capability and absence management. Ensure consistent and legally compliant application of HR policies across all contract locations. Act as first point of contact for operational teams on HR policy interpretation, offering pragmatic and commercially sensitive advice.
- Workforce Planning & Talent Management – Collaborate with managers on workforce planning, forecasting and succession planning to ensure critical roles are covered. Partner with recruitment teams to attract and retain skilled talent, supporting hard‑to‑fill roles and local employment priorities. Promote internal progression and coordinate development pathways for operational and supervisory staff.
- Performance Management & Capability Building – Drive the performance review and appraisal processes across the contract, ensuring alignment with KPIs and service targets. Identify training needs and partner with L&D teams to build capability in leadership, compliance and technical excellence. Coach managers on team development, difficult conversations and day‑to‑day people management.
- Change & Transformation – Support or lead HR workstreams during organisational change projects, including TUPE transfers, restructures and redundancy processes. Ensure all change initiatives are supported by clear communication, documentation and support frameworks. Champion change management best practices and cultural alignment during contract mobilisation or evolution.
- Employee Engagement & Culture – Design and deliver engagement initiatives aligned with the operational reality of the Thames Water contract. Act as a culture champion, ensuring contract‑wide values and behaviours are upheld and integrated into HR processes. Conduct pulse surveys, focus groups and exit interviews to identify areas for improvement and action planning.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Promote inclusive hiring, development and progression practices across field and office‑based staff. Ensure compliance with equality legislation and support managers in ensuring a respectful and inclusive workplace. Collaborate with central HR to drive wider DEI goals across the business and contract.
- HR Data, Analytics & Reporting – Leverage people data, dashboards and workforce metrics to drive evidence‑based decisions. Monitor trends in absenteeism, attrition, performance and engagement; make proactive recommendations to leaders. Prepare regular and ad‑hoc HR reports for internal stakeholders and client reviews as required.
- Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement – Work closely with wider support functions (Payroll, L&D, Recruitment, Occupational Health, Legal) to ensure cohesive HR delivery. Partner with employee representatives or unions (if applicable) to maintain productive working relationships. Represent HR at contract governance meetings, audits and reviews with Thames Water stakeholders where required. Be aware of all Lanes Group policies and your responsibilities towards them. Any other reasonable ad‑hoc duties, tasks or projects as requested by management.
About You
- Have a minimum of 2 years HR Advisor experience.
- Be able to explore, and effectively mitigate risks with the confidence to identify when escalation to the Lead HRBP & Group HR Director may be required.
- Have experience in delivering on HR Projects and working to tight deadlines.
- Have great interpersonal skills to create relationships within the People team, with all People Managers across the contract and the wider Lanes Group network.
- Can deal with people at different levels.
- Have excellent knowledge of Microsoft 365.
- Have solid communication skills (both written and verbal).
- Be resourceful and proactive.
- Can multi‑task, prioritise, work under pressure and on own initiative.
- Be CIPD accredited (not essential but advantageous).
- Ideally have experience working in a fast‑paced environment.
- Preferably have strong influencing skills and a passion for embedding our core values.
Your contribution to the company
- Strive to be always positive and constructive.
- Adhere to all company policies.
- Speak straight about the facts of the situation – open discussions are the best way to find solutions.
- Help others through communicating clearly.
- Deliver on commitments.
- Ensure that any ideas that may enhance the productivity or systems of the company are brought to the attention of Senior Management, or your colleagues.
- Deliver our Company Values understanding that by working together in unity we are “Stronger Together”.
At Lanes Group, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We believe that our differences make us stronger and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. Join us in our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse world.
Lanes Group is a signatory of the “Charter for Employer Positive About Mental Health” run by Mindful Employer.
Seniority Level
Mid–Senior level
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Human Resources
Industries
Utilities
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Senior HR Advisor employer: Lanes Group
Contact Detail:
Lanes Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the utilities and infrastructure sector, particularly the challenges faced by companies like Lanes Group. Understanding the specific context of the Thames Water contract will help you demonstrate your strategic insight during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Lanes Group or similar organisations. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which you can leverage in your interactions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with employee relations and policy compliance in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex HR cases, as this is a critical aspect of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to drive change and transformation within an organisation. Think of instances where you've led HR initiatives that resulted in significant improvements, as this aligns with the expectations for the HR Business Partner role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant HR experience, particularly in areas like employee relations, workforce planning, and performance management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive business success and engage with operational leaders.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, such as leading complex employee relations cases and supporting organisational change.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your previous roles, focus on quantifiable achievements. For instance, mention how you improved employee engagement scores or successfully managed a high-risk HR project. This will help illustrate your impact in previous positions.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to HR strategy, compliance, and employee engagement during the interview process. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you successfully navigated challenges in these areas, demonstrating your problem-solving skills.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lanes Group
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of the HR Business Partner role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges in utilities and infrastructure services, as well as the strategic goals of the Lanes Group.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Be ready to discuss your previous experiences in HRBP roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, showcasing how you've successfully handled complex employee relations cases or driven performance management initiatives.
✨Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills
As an HR Business Partner, strong interpersonal skills are crucial. Be prepared to demonstrate how you've built relationships with operational leaders and contributed to a positive workplace culture. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
✨Emphasise Your Change Management Experience
Given the dynamic nature of the role, it's important to discuss your experience with organisational change projects. Share examples of how you've supported or led HR workstreams during transitions, ensuring clear communication and cultural alignment.
