HR Project Lead

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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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. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.

Ref: HR Project Lead
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed