Job Purpose

The Workforce Manager will play a key role in supporting the successful delivery of VSL UK's works on the Lower Thames Crossing project by ensuring the workforce is effectively mobilised, managed, engaged, and supported throughout the project lifecycle.

Acting as the primary people-focused representative on site, the role will work closely with operational managers, supervisors, engineers, and employees to provide practical workforce management support, maintain positive employee relations, and ensure compliance with company policies and employment legislation.

The role combines workforce planning, employee relations, onboarding, labour coordination, welfare, compliance, and people administration to ensure the project has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time.

This position offers an excellent development opportunity for experienced Site Administrators, Project Administrators, Workforce Coordinators, or HR professionals seeking to progress into a broader workforce management role within a major UK infrastructure project.

Main Responsibilities

Workforce Planning & Mobilisation

• Coordinate workforce planning activities to ensure labour requirements are met in line with project demands and programme milestones.
• Support the mobilisation and demobilisation of employees and subcontract labour throughout the project lifecycle.
• Work closely with operational managers to forecast labour requirements and workforce availability.
• Maintain visibility of workforce capacity, competencies, certifications, and resource requirements.

Employee Relations & People Management

• Act as the primary HR and workforce contact for site-based employees and operational managers.
• Provide practical advice and guidance on employee relations matters in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Manage employee relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, capability, attendance, and absence management processes.
• Support managers in resolving workforce issues fairly, consistently, and in line with employment legislation.
• Promote positive employee engagement and foster a collaborative site culture.

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Support recruitment activities for site-based positions in partnership with the Talent Acquisition team.
• Coordinate onboarding activities including:
  • Right-to-work checks
  • Employment documentation
  • Site inductions
  • System access
  • Site integration activities
• Ensure new starters are effectively integrated into project teams and understand site expectations.

Workforce Administration & Compliance

• Maintain accurate employee and workforce records.
• Monitor attendance, holidays, sickness absence, and workforce availability.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, employment legislation, and project-specific requirements.
• Coordinate training records, certifications, competencies, and mandatory compliance requirements.
• Work closely with payroll and HR colleagues to ensure workforce information remains accurate and up to date.
• Support audits and compliance reviews as required.

Employee Welfare & Engagement

• Act as a key point of contact for employee welfare and wellbeing matters.
• Promote initiatives that support employee engagement, wellbeing, retention, and inclusion.
• Build strong working relationships with employees at all levels across the project.
• Support communication and engagement activities across the workforce.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Produce regular workforce reports covering:
  • Headcount
  • Labour turnover
  • Absence trends
  • Recruitment activity
  • Training compliance
  • Workforce demographics
• Identify trends and recommend actions to improve workforce performance and engagement.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of workforce management processes and procedures.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

Essential

• Experience in a Workforce Manager, HR Advisor, HR Manager, Employee Relations, Workforce Coordinator, Site Administrator, Project Administrator, or similar people-focused role.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience supporting operational, construction, infrastructure, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, or similar site-based environments.
• Good understanding of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to build credibility and influence with both operational managers and frontline employees.
• Confident managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office applications.
• Willingness to be predominantly site based.

Desirable

• CIPD qualification or working towards CIPD accreditation.
• Experience supporting large-scale construction, infrastructure, rail, utilities, or major project environments.
• Experience managing employee relations cases independently.
• Knowledge of workforce mobilisation and compliance requirements on major projects.
• Experience supporting apprenticeships, trainees, and early careers initiatives.

Career Development Opportunity

Applications are welcomed from experienced Site Administrators, Project Administrators, Workforce Coordinators, or similar professionals who have developed strong workforce coordination and people management skills within construction or infrastructure environments and are seeking the next step in their career.

Individuals with strong operational experience, excellent stakeholder management skills, and a passion for supporting people will be considered, even where they have not previously held a formal HR position. Training and development support will be available for suitable candidates looking to broaden their experience within workforce management.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on one of the UK's largest infrastructure projects.
• Exposure to a major joint venture and alliance delivery environment.
• Career development and progression opportunities.
• Supportive and collaborative working culture.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

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