At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic people initiatives to drive performance and growth in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Willmott Dixon, a top-rated construction firm with 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 innovation and commitment to sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people's experiences and contribute to sustainable growth.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in people management and strong commercial awareness required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Willmott Dixon has an exciting opportunity for a full-time Lead People Business Partner to join our Wales & West 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: Cardiff (with regular travel to Bristol and Exeter offices).
Working pattern: Full time, typically 4 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‑modelling 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 – Wales & West 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 Wales and West 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.
- 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 Wales and West region.
- 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.
- Full private medical for you and a partner.
- Life assurance.
- Incentive bonus.
- Car scheme and motoring expenditure allowance.
- 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 Cardiff employer: Willmott Dixon
Willmott Dixon is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees in the vibrant city of Leeds. With a strong commitment to safety and quality, the company fosters a collaborative work culture where team members are encouraged to develop their skills and advance their careers. Employees benefit from a competitive pension scheme and private medical insurance, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in construction management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead People Business Partner in Cardiff
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
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Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Willmott Dixon!
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We think you need these skills to ace Lead People Business Partner in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Willmott Dixon. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Willmott Dixon and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Willmott Dixon. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Willmott Dixon's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Willmott Dixon
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Willmott Dixon.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Willmott Dixon will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
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Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Willmott Dixon and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
