Ford & Stanley Select
HR Project Lead
Derby | £35,000 – £40,000 + Benefits | 4 Days On-Site, 1 Day Home
Are you an ambitious HR professional ready to step into a high-impact role where you can truly shape the people agenda?
We're looking for a proactive and driven HR professional to take on a pivotal Project Lead role, supporting a growing, fast-paced rail business. Reporting into the Group Head of HR, you'll operate in a standalone-style capacity on-site, owning delivery across the full employee lifecycle while playing a key role in driving change and continuous improvement.
The Opportunity
This is a standout opportunity for an HR professional looking to step beyond BAU and into a role with real influence.
You'll work closely with the Group Head of HR, gaining exposure to both operational and strategic HR while leading meaningful projects across the business. In a fast-moving, blue-collar environment, you'll see first-hand the impact of your work; whether improving systems, enhancing engagement, or shaping the employee experience.
For someone with drive and ambition, this role offers a clear platform for growth and career progression.
HR Project Lead Responsibilities
This is far more than a traditional HR Advisor position. You'll take ownership of both operational HR delivery and transformation initiatives.
Lead Across the Lifecycle: Own end-to-end HR delivery from recruitment and onboarding through to employee relations, engagement, and retention.
Drive Key Projects: Partner with the Group Head of HR to deliver initiatives such as HRIS improvements, policy updates, and organisational change.
Support & Influence Managers: Act as a trusted advisor, providing practical guidance on performance, conduct, attendance, and wellbeing matters.
Use Data to Inform Decisions: Maintain accurate HR systems and analyse data to identify trends and improve outcomes.
Enhance the Employee Experience: Continuously develop onboarding, engagement, and culture initiatives across a diverse workforce.
Ideal HR Project Lead
We're looking for someone who combines strong HR fundamentals with the energy and ambition to drive change.
Experience: Proven background in a generalist HR role, ideally within a fast-paced or industrial environment (rail, engineering, manufacturing or similar).
Project Exposure: Experience supporting or leading HR projects such as HR systems, change initiatives, or policy development.
Technical Knowledge: Solid grounding in UK employment law, with CIPD Level 5 (achieved or in progress).
Mindset: A proactive, self-starting approach with the confidence to work autonomously in a standalone-style role.
Communication: Able to build credibility and relationships at all levels, from shop floor to senior leadership.
Commercial Awareness: Understands the wider business impact of HR processes and decisions.
Location
Derby-based role with a primarily on-site presence
Up to 1 day per week working from home (depending on business needs)
Occasional travel to other Group locations
Salary
£35,000 – £40,000 depending on experience
The Benefits
- 33 days holiday (increasing with service)
- Flexible working hours + early finish on Fridays (2:30pm)
- Electric car scheme & cycle to work scheme
- Annual salary reviews & pension contributions
- Monthly rewards & recognition
- Long service awards & gift vouchers
- Employee discount schemes (retail, travel, gyms & more)
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Career development & company-funded training
- Free eye tests & specs vouchers
- Free on-site parking
- On-site treats & regular company socials
- Holiday trading options
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.
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To apply for this job please visit www.reed.co.uk.
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