The Role
Nigel Wright Group are delighted to be partnering with BWS Group to appoint their first Group HR Manager — a pivotal hire at a defining point in the company’s growth.
This is not a traditional HR role. It is an opportunity to build and shape a modern, scalable HR function from the ground up within a fast-growing, multi-site, operational business.
You will work closely with the CEO and leadership team to create the people infrastructure needed to support continued expansion, influencing culture, capability, and performance across a field-based workforce where people remain at the centre of success.
The role combines strategic input with hands-on execution. You will be equally comfortable designing frameworks and rolling up your sleeves to deliver them in practice.
The role is primarily site-based across the Bath and Dorset locations, reflecting the importance of leadership visibility, relationship building, and close collaboration with operational teams. A degree of flexibility can be considered where appropriate.
What You’ll Deliver
- Build and embed a scalable HR function aligned to a growing, multi-site organisation
- Partner closely with the CEO and leadership team, providing pragmatic, commercially focused guidance
- Strengthen recruitment, retention and workforce planning to support sustained growth
- Lead on employee relations and ensure robust, consistent application of UK employment law
- Develop management capability across operational teams through coaching, structure, and tools
- Establish clear, consistent people processes that improve performance and reduce risk
- Shape a positive, high-performing culture aligned to business values and growth ambitions
What You’ll Bring
Essential
- Strong HR generalist background (HR Manager / Senior HR Business Partner)
- Experience in a growing SME or mid-sized business environment
- Proven ability to operate both strategically and hands-on
- Strong UK employment law and employee relations experience
- Experience supporting operational, field-based or engineering workforces
- Credibility and confidence engaging senior stakeholders
Desirable
- Experience in engineering services, fire and security, construction, FM, utilities or similar
- Multi-site or decentralised workforce experience
- Exposure to acquisitions, TUPE or integration activity
- CIPD Level 5 / 7 (or equivalent experience)
Why This Role Stands Out
- A genuine opportunity to build an HR function from first principles
- Direct exposure to and partnership with the CEO and leadership team
- A business where HR is seen as critical to performance, not just compliance
- Clear scope to grow toward Head of / Director-level responsibility over time
- A people-led, operational environment where HR will remain central as organisations evolve
Personal Attributes
- Commercially minded and pragmatic
- Confident, credible and able to influence at all levels
- Hands-on and delivery-focused
- Structured and organised, without over-complicating
- Resilient and adaptable in a fast-moving environment
- Comfortable challenging and holding a clear position when needed
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