Job Purpose

To lead and deliver a high-quality, project-focused HR service for VSL UK on the Lower Thames Crossing project, supporting operational delivery by ensuring effective people management, full compliance with UK labour law, and alignment with VSL and Bouygues Group HR policies.

Main Responsibilities

• Act as the primary HR business partner for the Lower Thames Crossing project leadership team, providing practical, business-focused HR advice.
• Support the Project Directors and site leadership in managing people-related matters within a complex, high-pressure project environment.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on employee relations, workforce planning, organisational change, and workforce engagement.

• Ensure full compliance with UK employment law, VSL HR policies, and Bouygues Group procedures.
• Act as guarantor of correct application of HR processes across the project lifecycle.
• Oversee all employee administration processes, including contracts, onboarding, right-to-work checks, visas (where applicable), benefits, and offboarding.
• Manage disciplinary, grievance, absence management, and performance processes in a fair, consistent, and legally compliant manner.

• Liaise with the Talent team to manage recruitment activities for the Lower Thames Crossing project, ensuring timely and cost-effective staffing of both site-based and project roles.
• Support internal mobility within VSL and the wider Bouygues Group where appropriate.
• Strengthen links with partner universities and training providers to support early careers, apprenticeships, interns, and graduate recruitment.

• Identify training and development needs in collaboration with project leadership.
• Coordinate and support delivery of technical, leadership, and mandatory training aligned with project and business requirements.
• Support succession planning and talent development initiatives on the project.

• Actively support and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in line with VSL and Bouygues Group objectives.
• Monitor and support gender diversity and broader inclusion targets at project level.
• Contribute to initiatives aimed at improving employee engagement, wellbeing, and retention on site.

• Track and report on key HR indicators, including headcount, turnover, absence, gender diversity, and recruitment metrics.
• Provide regular HR updates and insights to project leadership and UK HR leadership to support informed decision-making.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

• Relevant degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.e

• Solid experience in a generalist HR Manager or Senior HR Business Partner role.
• Experience within construction, civil engineering, infrastructure, or major projects is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience managing HR matters in a site-based or project-driven environment.

• Strong generalist HR expertise across the full employee lifecycle.
• Sound knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.

Interested or want to learn more? Apply now or get in touch.