We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior HR Employment & Compliance Specialist to join our HR Talent Services team. Reporting to the Global HR Projects & Compliance Director and working closely with the UK & Ireland HR leadership team, you will play a vital role in ensuring our employment practices, policies, and processes remain compliant, effective, and aligned with business objectives.
This is a newly created role at an exciting time of growth for Stantec, offering the opportunity to influence how employment compliance is managed across the UK & Ireland. You'll join a collaborative and supportive HR team, helping to shape best practice and drive continuous improvement as we support the business through its ambitious growth plans.
About the Role
As a Senior HR Employment & Compliance Specialist, you will act as a subject matter expert on employment legislation and HR compliance, providing guidance and support to HR colleagues and business leaders across the UK and Ireland.
You will be responsible for monitoring legislative developments and translating regulatory requirements into practical policies, processes, and resources that support the business. This includes developing and maintaining compliance frameworks, process documentation, templates, and guidance materials to ensure consistency and alignment across HR operations.
Working closely with HR Client Services and leadership teams, you will lead employment compliance initiatives, oversee internal HR audit controls, and identify opportunities to strengthen employment practices. You will also design and deliver compliance training, helping to build capability across the wider HR function and ensuring teams remain informed about legislative changes and best practices.
Alongside your BAU responsibilities, you will contribute to strategic HR projects and programmes, providing specialist expertise that supports organisational objectives and enhances the employee experience.
Your Impact
In this role, you will play a key part in protecting and strengthening Stantec's employment practices across the UK and Ireland. By ensuring compliance with evolving legislation and implementing effective governance frameworks, you will help minimise risk while supporting a positive and consistent employee experience.
Your expertise will enable HR teams and business leaders to make informed decisions, ensuring policies and practices remain fit for purpose and aligned with current legal requirements. Through the development of tools, resources, and training programmes, you will build confidence and capability across the HR function, helping colleagues navigate complex employment matters effectively.
You will also contribute to continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to enhance processes, streamline ways of working, and embed best practice. Your work will support both operational excellence and strategic business goals, helping the organisation continue to grow while maintaining high standards of compliance and employee relations.
About You
You are an experienced HR professional with a strong background in employment law, employee relations, and compliance. You are confident interpreting legislation, providing practical advice, and influencing stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
You will bring:
- A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Business, Human Resources, or a related field
- Significant experience in HR advisory, employee relations, and employment compliance roles
- In-depth knowledge of UK and Ireland employment legislation
- Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to review complex information and provide clear recommendations
- Experience developing policies, processes, compliance frameworks, and supporting documentation
- The ability to design and deliver training and guidance to HR teams and stakeholders
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and challenge where appropriate
- A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for improvement and driving positive change
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
Desirable:
- CIPD membership
- Experience supporting HR transformation, compliance, or strategic change programmes
Most importantly, you are a collaborative and solutions-focused HR professional who is passionate about driving best practice, supporting colleagues, and ensuring the business remains compliant while delivering an exceptional employee experience.
This opportunity will be based in either our Warrington or Manchester office. Ideally a minimum of 1 day a week in the Warrington office would be possible.
Why Join Us?
- We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
- We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
- We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered.
- We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups)
- Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!
- Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
- Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.
About Stantec
The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.
Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.
Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.
Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.
At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [email protected] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.
