Head of People

A permanent senior position with a competitive salary and excellent benefits package.

MEC is a multi-disciplinary engineering and environmental consultancy, delivering services for private and public sector projects across residential, commercial, industrial, retail, leisure, education and healthcare. Operating nationally from offices in Leicestershire, Birmingham, Brighton and Nottingham, we provide expert guidance for a wide range of clients.

We are looking for an experienced people professional to take a leading role in shaping the employee experience at MEC. Working closely with the Managing Director and Senior Management Team, you will be responsible for developing our people strategy, supporting our managers and teams, and helping us continue to build an inclusive, high-performing and positive workplace as the business grows.

Key Responsibilities:

• Reporting to the Managing Director and working in conjunction with the Senior Management Team (SMT) to ensure effective delivery of the company goals by all employees;

• Working closely with the Group SMT and others to assess individual and team performance and help deliver an inclusive, high performing, and positive workplace environment;

• Manage regular performance reviews for all staff and ensure effective training and development plans are in place;

• Develop and implement a comprehensive people strategy covering talent acquisition, performance management, learning and development, succession planning, engagement and retention;

• Build and maintain a positive company culture ensuring the company DNA is understood and promoted by all;

• Oversee all HR policies, systems and procedures, ensuring compliance with UK employment legislation and alignment with the company’s best practice;

• Lead and continuously improve recruitment and onboarding strategies to attract, assess and retain high-quality talent;

• Manage the probation period ensuring all new staff are evaluated thoroughly before being passed;

• Identify skills gaps and design/deliver relevant improvement, training and development programmes for all staff;

• Champion diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace culture.

• Lead organisational change initiatives, supporting leaders through transition, restructuring and cultural improvement;

• Manage employee relations professionally and confidently;

• Support managers with performance and conduct issues;

• Represent the people function across the business, including travel to sites, meetings and events as required;

• Working closely with the Staff Forum and SMT to identify, prioritise and deliver meaningful people initiatives;

• Regularly reviewing and enhancing our employee benefits to ensure it remains relevant and valued.

• Leading our approach to charitable activities, including selecting charities to support and coordinating related events and activities.

• Planning and coordinating staff activities, including staff meetings, staff socials, team-building opportunities and other events to bring our employees together.

• Creating opportunities to recognise and celebrate key events and awareness days, such as Easter, Mental Health Awareness initiatives, key world days, Ramadan and other relevant dates throughout the year.

• Continuously seeking feedback from employees and using insights to improve the overall people experience. Undertake at least 1 staff survey per year.

• Working nationally across the UK, including additional hours if necessary, to attend meetings and events to enable the delivery of all responsibilities.

Team Responsibilities:

• Continuously improve employee satisfaction, ensuring a seamless and positive experience from induction through to exit.

• Maintain the staff handbook. Maintain all policies, systems and procedures relating to HR and training;

• Support Directors and Head of Operations to maintain the health and safety policy and a strong health and safety culture;

• Manage the administration of personnel filing systems and other employee data in line with GDPR requirements;

• Manage internal administration of benefits schemes, including private medical insurance, life assurance, pension, EV salary sacrifice scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Guide and support line managers in all employee relations matters, including disciplinary processes, grievances, and conflict resolution, ensuring consistency and fairness;

• Manage annual leave entitlements, maternity/paternity leave, sickness absence, etc. Manage staff that require additional support to undertake their job roles satisfactorily.

• Organise and monitor staff monthly 1-2-1 reviews, ensuring consistency and improvements in productivity. Ensure progression with training and development strategies.

• Working with the Group and Technical SMT, manage recruitment processes, including advertising, selection of candidates, interview techniques, job offers, contracts of employment, etc.

• Measure and improve employee engagement and satisfaction through surveys, feedback and targeted action plans;

• Promote a respectful, inclusive and equitable work environment, promoting a positive culture;

• Other duties as may be occasionally required to support the needs of the business.

Key skills, experience and attributes required:

• Demonstrable experience within a senior HR, People or People & Culture role.

• Relevant HR/CIPD qualification or equivalent professional experience

• Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.

• Experience managing a range of employee relations matters.

• Experience developing and implementing people strategies that support wider business objectives.

• Strong experience in recruitment, onboarding, performance management, learning and development, and employee engagement.

• Confidence in advising and supporting senior leaders and line managers on people-related matters.

• Experience supporting organisational change and the continued development of company culture.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with employees at all levels.

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.

• A proactive, practical and commercially aware approach to people management.

• Full, clean UK driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use.

At MEC, we value a healthy work-life balance. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer flexible working arrangements to support our employees.

Core benefits include:

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising on years of service), plus an additional day for your birthday, a wellbeing day and a charity day (available on request).

• Company pension scheme

• Private medical insurance

• Life assurance

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• Paid annual membership for a professional institution

• Flexible working arrangements

• Octopus EV Salary Sacrifice scheme

• A range of wellbeing and lifestyle benefits.

• Plus more.

 If you have the skills and experience for this role, we'd love to hear from you.

MEC is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

If you have any questions regarding this job opportunity, please call our head office on 01530 264753 or email recruitment@m-ec.co.uk