At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead people strategies to drive performance and growth in a dynamic construction environment.
- Company: Join Willmott Dixon, a top UK construction firm known for innovation and a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible benefits, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a company recognised for its commitment to sustainability and community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping people strategies that enhance organisational effectiveness.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in people management and a passion for coaching leaders.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.
Willmott Dixon have an exciting opportunity for a full time Lead People Business Partner to join our North Region. This is a senior, highly influential role partnering closely with the regional leaders, including board–level stakeholders, to deliver people strategies that directly drive world class performance and deliver ambitious growth plans.
Location: Oldham (with regular travel to Leeds and other Northeast offices). Working pattern: Full time, typically 3 days per week in the office.
At Willmott Dixon, we're not just constructing buildings, we're creating long–term legacies. As one of the UK's most respected construction and infrastructure businesses, we are recognised for innovation, sustainability, and a genuinely people–first culture. This role plays a critical part in enabling the continued growth of the region by ensuring we have the right people strategy, leadership capacity, and culture to deliver our regional ambitions.
You will act as a trusted strategic advisor to the Board, influencing decisions at the highest level and leading people–led changes that strengthen organisational effectiveness, build high performing teams, and support sustainable growth. Alongside this strategic remit you will ensure strong operational delivery across the employee lifecycle, role–modeling pragmatic, commercially focused people leadership. You will help create environments where people can perform, grow and thrive as the business continues to grow.
What You’ll Do
As our Lead People Business Partner – North region, you will work in close partnership with the People Partner and senior leaders to deliver strategic, high–impact people solutions that underpin world class performance, ambitious growth and business transformation. You will support and enhance our 5 key people experiences:
- Attract: Partner with recruitment team to attract top talent and ensure seamless pre–employment journeys.
- Welcome: Champion new starters to ensure they get up to speed quickly.
- Perform: Act as a trusted advisor, enabling and supporting our people to perform at their best.
- Grow: Create environments where our people can perform, grow and thrive as our business continues to grow.
- Goodbye: Handle transitions and exits with empathy, plus analyse trends from exit interviews.
You will also use people data and insight to inform decision–making, anticipate future people risks and opportunities, and shape initiatives that support both short–term delivery and longer–term business growth. You will bring to the fore your technical skills in a practical 'people first' way. You'll build strong relationships across the North region, creating visibility, trust, and influence at every level.
Who We’re Looking For
You’ll be a resilient, hands–on and discreet People professional who thrives in a fast–paced, commercial environment. Confident and credible at a senior level, to operate as a strategic partner to the Board. You will be passionate about coaching leaders, you'll be trusted for your sound judgement and discretion, and motivated by driving world class performance and business growth through strong people leadership, culture and change. You’ll build trust at every level, juggle competing priorities with ease, and bring a positive, pragmatic, can–do approach.
You’ll bring:
(Essential experience)
- Proven People Business Partner experience, including people risk, operations, workforce planning and succession planning.
- Previous line management experience, with a strong coaching and development approach.
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to link people activity to business outcomes.
- Ability to adapt in dynamic, changing environments.
- Willingness to travel across the North region.
(Desirable)
- Experience working in a fast–paced sector where change and growth are constant.
What We Offer
We reward our people generously with a competitive salary and a market–leading benefits package that gives you flexible benefits to fit your lifestyle and priorities. This includes but is not limited to:
- Enhanced pension scheme.
- Discounted or full private medical.
- Life assurance.
- Incentive bonus.
- Car scheme and motoring expenditure allowance (where applicable).
- Access to a low–carbon and electric car leasing scheme, supporting sustainable travel.
At Willmott Dixon we provide an inclusive and flexible working environment for people to thrive in, and we are happy to support this where possible. We are a proud member of the Disability Confident Scheme.
About Us
Over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon's purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive.
Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 'Big' Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe’s 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025. Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.
Lead People Business Partner in Burnley employer: Willmott Dixon
Contact Detail:
Willmott Dixon Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead People Business Partner in Burnley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that Lead People Business Partner role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Willmott Dixon inside out – know their values, recent projects, and what makes them tick. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their mission of creating long-term legacies.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your people skills! In your conversations, highlight your ability to build trust and influence at all levels. Share examples of how you've successfully partnered with senior leaders to drive people strategies that lead to growth.
✨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 genuinely interested in being part of the Willmott Dixon family. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead People Business Partner in Burnley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead People Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in people strategy and how it aligns with our mission at Willmott Dixon. We want to see how you can contribute to our ambitious growth plans!
Showcase Your People Skills: This role is all about people, so don’t hold back on showcasing your people management and coaching skills. Share specific examples of how you've influenced decisions at a senior level and built high-performing teams. We love seeing real-life stories!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to know what makes you tick. Share your passion for creating environments where people can thrive, and how you embody a 'people first' approach in your work.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Willmott Dixon
✨Know Your People Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into Willmott Dixon's people strategies and values. Understand how they align with their ambitious growth plans and be ready to discuss how your experience as a People Business Partner can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully coached leaders in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where your guidance led to improved performance or cultural shifts within the organisation, as this will resonate well with their focus on high-performing teams.
✨Be Ready for Data-Driven Discussions
Familiarise yourself with people data analytics and how it informs decision-making. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data insights to anticipate people risks and shape initiatives that support business growth, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Willmott Dixon operates in a fast-paced environment, so come equipped with examples that showcase your ability to adapt to change. Discuss how you've navigated dynamic situations in the past and how you can bring that resilience to their team.