Group HR Project Lead Derby Up to £38,000 Permanent

The Opportunity

Are you an ambitious HR professional with a high level of drive and a track record of advancing through the ranks? This is a high-impact opportunity to join a leading name in the Rail industry, reporting directly to the Group Head of HR. This isn’t just a BAU role; you will be the engine room for transformation, taking the initiative to drive projects that align people strategy with fast-paced business goals. If you are looking for a role where you can move between the shop floor and the boardroom with ease and make the hiring manager’s day easier through sheer proactivity and professional ownership, this is for you.

Responsibilities:

• Operational Project Leadership: Lead and support critical HR projects including change management, organisational restructures, and the implementation of new engagement and L&D programmes.
• Full Spectrum Advisory: Provide consistent, expert advice across the entire employee lifecycle, managing ER cases with a focus on compliance and best practice.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Analyse HR metrics and KPIs to identify trends, particularly regarding staff engagement and absence, to inform strategic business cases.
• Compliance & Systems: Maintain the integrity of HRIS systems and ensure all policies and contracts align with current UK legislation.
• Payroll & Finance Alignment: Oversee the accuracy of payroll administration, understanding the “bigger picture” of how people data impacts wider business performance.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong, professional relationships with line managers to foster an inclusive, high-performing culture.

The Candidate:

• The Journey: You will have progressed through the various levels of HR, possessing a deep appreciation for foundational HR administration and how it interacts with the wider business success.
• Sector Fit: Experience in a fast-moving, blue-collar, or geographically dispersed environment (such as Rail, Manufacturing, or Engineering) is highly desirable.
• Qualifications: You should be CIPD Level 5 qualified or currently working towards it.
• Attributes: We are looking for a self-motivated individual with high emotional intelligence and resilience. You must be proactive, able to work with autonomy, and possess the professional presence to guide and influence leadership.
• Project Experience: Proven experience in managing HR workstreams, system migrations, or staff engagement initiatives.

Location:

Derby (with 1 day a week flexible home working).

Salary:

Up to £38,000 (DOE) + Benefits including Electric Car Scheme, 33 days holiday, long service recognition, employee discounts and career development courses.

About Ford & Stanley Group

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.

• Ford & Stanley TalentWise Business specialising in blue collar trade & technical services permanent and temporary.
• Ford & Stanley Recruitment Business specialising in white collar spanning all company functions with specialist verticals within Digital, Rail Engineering, Civils & Infrastructure, General Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Logistics both permanent and contract.
• Ford & Stanley Executive Search Business specialising in Executive Search & Executive Interim Solutions in the UK, North America, Middle East and Europe.
• Ford & Stanley Genius Performance Performance is always accelerated when good people are coached, inspired, trained and focused in the right way.

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination.