Head of HR
Details
Reference: 2026-04-HOHR
Position type: Part time: 3 days per week from 8am - 4.30pm
Location: On site in Kilmarnock
Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 pro rata dependent upon experience
Description
About Us
Brodie Engineering is an established leading rolling stock engineering business offering a comprehensive range of refurbishment, maintenance, overhaul, engineering support, project management, and repair services to the UK rail and light rail sector. The business has experienced substantial growth and has established a strong reputation within the rail industry for its high-quality delivery.
Operating from two depots in Kilmarnock, Scotland we also provide a mobile service to the rail industry over the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland.
Key clients include ScotRail, Northern Rail and Caledonian Sleeper.
Overview
Brodie Engineering is setting up a new HR function to support business growth. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in establishing a newly formed HR function.
Brodie Engineering has doubled in size in the last 12 months, and there is a need to establish a modern and progressive HR function. The role will be accountable for ensuring that the basics of HR are in place, and that the business is fully compliant with all aspects of UK employment legislation. In addition, there will be the need to design and implement an HR Strategy that positions the organisation as an employer of choice. There are not many roles that offer the opportunity to blend HR with true transformational change.
The Head of HR will be responsible for developing and executing HR strategies that align with Brodie Engineering's objectives and foster a positive work environment whilst improving business performance. This role requires a strategic thinker who can effectively manage HR initiatives, drive organisational growth, and support the development of people. This position will lead the shaping and continuous improvement of core HR operational functions across the employee life cycle. The successful candidate will lead an HR Business Partner and an HR and Payroll Administrator.
Duties
1. HR Strategy and Leadership
- Develop and execute a comprehensive HR strategy aligned with the company’s engineering and business objectives
- Act as a trusted adviser to the leadership team on people-related matters
- Lead and mentor the HR team, fostering continuous improvement and professional development
2. Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning
- Accountable for the recruitment for engineering, technical, and head office support roles, ensuring a robust and diverse talent pipeline is maintained
- Implement workforce planning to support project-based demands and long-term growth, ensuring that the business future proofs the skills needed
- Drive employer branding efforts to position the company as an employer of choice in the engineering sector
3. Learning, Development and Performance
- Design and oversee career development pathways for engineers, technicians, and leaders
- Implement performance management frameworks that support innovation, accountability, and technical excellence
- Champion leadership development initiatives to build strong management capability across the business
4. Culture, Engagement and Employee Relations
- Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and safety-conscious culture that aligns with organisational values
- Lead initiatives to enhance employee engagement and wellbeing
- Oversee employee relations, providing guidance on conflict resolution, performance issues, and policy interpretation
- Manage any complex employee relations issues as required
5. Pay, Benefits and HR Operations
- Ensure competitive pay structures are in place which attract, retain and reward all staff
- Monitor HR metrics to drive data informed decision making and highlight potential business issues, seeing effective solutions to mitigate these
- Continually review employee benefits to ensure these are effective
- Manage the employee benefits suppliers and contracts
6. Compliance, Risk, Health and Safety
- Ensure compliance with employment law, engineering-sector employment standards, and industry-specific regulations
- Support the Health and Safety function to uphold a strong safety culture across all engineering sites
- Manage HR related risks, including documentation, audits, and policy compliance
- Support the delivery of an effective payroll process
- Manage the occupational health suppliers and contracts
7. Employee Engagement
- Create an effective employee engagement plan, supported by an annual staff survey process
- Develop and implement an internal communications plan that drives high levels of employee engagement
Key Relationships
- Human Resources team
- Directors
- Line Managers and Supervisors
- External suppliers
- External organisations and partners
Key Skills & Experience Required
- Proven experience as Head of HR or senior HR leader within an engineering, manufacturing or similar technical environment
- A strong understanding of engineering environment would be an advantage
- Demonstrated ability to develop HR strategy and lead organisational change
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills at all levels
- Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practice
- Experience managing HR teams and developing HR capability
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, project driven environment
- Strong knowledge of HR systems and analytics tools
Qualifications
- Degree in Human Resources, Business Management or related discipline
- CIPD Level 5 or 7, working towards or having attained chartership
Personal Attributes
- Strategic mindset with operational expertise
- High emotional intelligence and strong influencing skills
- Proactive, solution-focused, and resilient
- Passionate about people development and organisational culture
Benefits
As well as a highly competitive salary you will also benefit from our comprehensive benefits package which includes an Employee Assistance Programme, private medical insurance (after 2 years’ service), hospital cash plan, contributory pension scheme and other employee benefits.
To apply please send your CV and a covering letter which explains how you meet the skills and experience needed for this role. In addition, please include your current salary and notice period.
Apply for this job using the application form below.
