HR Project Lead

HR Project Lead (CCS)       

Ensure the CCS project is delivered safely, legally, and efficiently by providing strong client side oversight of workforce governance, NAECI compliance, and industrial relations.
Lead the project’s IR strategy, maintain constructive relationships with trade unions and the NJC, and ensure EPC and subcontractors deliver a competent, safe, and compliant workforce.

Key accountabilities
Workforce Strategy, Resourcing & Governance

• Oversee contractor workforce plans and ensure alignment with NAECI, project milestones, and construction needs.
• Approve mobilisation, demobilisation and rotation arrangements.
• Chair or co chair the Workforce Governance Board.

Recruitment Oversight & Capability Assurance

• Review contractor recruitment strategies to ensure roles, rates and competencies meet NAECI requirements.
• Maintain visibility of trade testing and skills verification for safety critical CCS activities.

Safety, Compliance & Ethical Workforce Standards

• Provide client side assurance of NAECI, UK employment law and EPC HR obligations.
• Work with HSE to maintain a zero harm culture across all site activities.

Industrial Relations Leadership & Stability

• Lead NAECI aligned industrial relations, including consultation, dispute resolution and union engagement.
• Support collective bargaining and manage complex IR issues to minimise project disruption.

Contractor & Subcontractor Performance Oversight

• Hold EPC and subcontractors accountable for NAECI compliance and workforce quality.
• Input HR/IR performance into contract reviews and drive corrective actions.

Culture, Engagement & Wellbeing (Client Led)

• Promote a consistent client led culture of fairness, safety and transparency.
• Oversee wellbeing measures related to fatigue, rotations and welfare.

Data & Reporting

• Maintain workforce governance records and provide clear reporting to senior leadership.
• Monitor workforce indicators (competence, IR trends, readiness).

Project Assignees Management

• Coordinate onboarding/offboarding for client employees assigned to the project.
• Act as delegated authority for Workday project transactions.

 
Job dimensions

• Approve or decline contractor workforce plans and proposed HR/IR corrective actions.
• Commission audits, escalate issues, and recommend contractual action where NAECI non compliance persists.
• Sign off workforce governance reports and brief senior leadership on risks and recommended actions.
• Ensure full compliance with NAECI, NJC guidance, client policies, UK employment law, and accurate maintenance of all workforce and welfare records.

Job requirements
Engage effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to support workforce governance, NAECI compliance, and smooth project delivery
Key working relationships include:
Project Director; HR Director; HSE team; Commercial and Procurement team; EPC Project Manager; Subcontractor HR and Industrial Relations team; recognised Trade Unions; National Joints Council (NJC) Representatives

Education/Qualification

• HR leadership in client side major projects (EPC, heavy industry or energy).
• Experience operating under NAECI on complex projects; strong IR track record with recognised trade unions/NJC frameworks.
• Deep knowledge of UK employment law, Working Time Regulations and contractor workforce governance in high risk environments.
• CIPD qualified (or equivalent experience).

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.