HR Manager (Construction)

We are seeking a pragmatic and people-focused HR leader who can balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution. The ideal candidate remains calm under pressure, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and demonstrates strong emotional intelligence. They will be able to balance business needs with employee well-being while building strong relationships and credibility across all levels of the organisation.

The successful candidate will lead the full spectrum of HR functions, supporting both corporate and project/site operations. This includes workforce planning, talent management, employee engagement, and HR improvement initiatives, while ensuring compliance with Singapore employment laws and construction industry regulations. The role requires a hands-on leader who can effectively manage a diverse workforce comprising office staff, project personnel, and foreign workers.

Strategic HR Leadership

• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with the company's business objectives, growth plans, and operational requirements.
• Partner with senior management to drive workforce planning, organizational development, succession planning, and talent management initiatives.
• Provide strategic HR advice to management on manpower challenges, organizational restructuring, and change management.
• Lead HR transformation and process improvement initiatives, including HR digitalization, automation, and policy enhancements.
• Establish HR metrics and reporting frameworks to support management decision-making.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Lead end-to-end recruitment activities for management, technical, professional, project-based, and site operational positions.
• Develop workforce planning strategies to support project manpower requirements and business growth.
• Manage recruitment agencies, external partners, and talent pipelines to ensure timely hiring of qualified candidates.
• Oversee foreign manpower planning, including work pass applications, renewals, quotas, and compliance requirements.
• Strengthen employer branding initiatives to attract and retain skilled construction professionals.

Performance Management & Talent Development

• Develop and implement performance management frameworks that align employee performance with business and project objectives.
• Identify training and development needs across all levels of the organization.
• Drive leadership development, technical competency upgrading, and succession planning programs.
• Promote employee career development and internal mobility opportunities.

Compensation, Benefits & Payroll

• Review and manage compensation and benefits programs to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity.
• Oversee payroll administration, incentive schemes, annual salary reviews, and bonus exercises.
• Develop productivity-based reward and recognition programs to enhance employee performance and retention.
• Ensure accurate administration of employee benefits and statutory contributions.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Foster a positive workplace culture that promotes teamwork, accountability, and employee well-being.
• Manage employee relations matters, including grievance handling, disciplinary investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives to improve morale, retention, and organizational commitment.
• Support communication and engagement between management, office staff, project teams, and site workers.

Compliance, Industrial Relations & Governance

• Ensure compliance with Singapore employment legislation, workplace regulations, and industry-specific requirements.
• Oversee HR policies, procedures, employee handbooks, and HR governance frameworks.
• Manage audits and maintain proper HR documentation and records.
• Ensure compliance relating to foreign workforce management, work passes, accommodation requirements, and relevant statutory obligations.
• Collaborate with Safety and Operations teams to promote workplace safety culture and employee welfare across all project sites.

HR Operations

• Lead and supervise the HR team to ensure efficient delivery of HR services.
• Drive continuous improvement of HR processes, systems, and service standards.
• Manage HR budgets and ensure cost-effective utilization of resources.
• Maintain HRIS and employee data integrity to support reporting and analytics.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or related discipline, with a minimum of 5 years of HR leadership or managerial experience, preferably within construction, engineering, infrastructure, or project-based environments. Strong knowledge of Singapore Employment Act, MOM regulations, work pass administration, and construction manpower requirements is essential.
• Proven experience managing diverse workforces, including local and foreign employees in high-operational, labour-intensive, blue-collar environments. Strong track record in HR operations covering recruitment, performance management, compensation & benefits, and employee relations. Experience supporting construction projects, contractors, or infrastructure organisations is highly preferred.
• Exposure to BCA manpower requirements, unionised environments, or large-scale workforce management will be an advantage. Experience in HR transformation, digitalisation, or process improvement initiatives is desirable.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills are required, with the ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, project-driven, and matrix environments while partnering closely with Operations, Project, and Safety teams.