Civil Engineering & Construction
10 Aug
HR Director
About the opportunity
A leading Romanian construction and technical services group is seeking an experienced Human Resources Director to lead its people strategy and HR operations. This is a confidential search for a senior leader who can support business growth, strengthen organizational capability and build a high-performance culture across a complex, project-driven environment.
The HR Director will work closely with the executive leadership team and oversee the full employee lifecycle for a diverse workforce comprising corporate, technical, operational and site-based employees. The central challenge is securing workforce coverage on projects with firm deadlines, in a market where the shortage of skilled labour is chronic. We are looking for someone who has worked hands-on with operations, not only with written policy.
Key responsibilities
Develop and execute the group's HR strategy in alignment with its commercial and operational objectives.
Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO and executive leadership team on organisation, talent and workforce matters.
Review and improve organisational structures, job architecture, performance management and compensation frameworks.
Lead workforce planning, recruitment and retention across corporate functions, construction projects and operational sites.
Oversee volume recruitment for sites alongside specialist recruitment for technical roles: site managers, civil engineers, MEP engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors, procurement leads.
Manage relationships with recruitment and temporary work agencies, including non-EU labour sourcing where applicable.
Strengthen leadership capability, succession planning and talent development.
Lead employee engagement and cultural transformation initiatives across multiple business units.
Reduce turnover among site personnel and experienced engineers.
Define compensation policy, site-specific allowances, per diems and travel arrangements.
Own the personnel budget and reporting of labour cost by project and business unit.
Ensure consistent and legally compliant HR policies, procedures and employment practices.
Oversee employee relations, labour matters and relationships with employee representatives or unions, including collective bargaining and disciplinary processes.
Maintain compliance with the Romanian Labour Code, collective labour agreements and Labour Inspectorate requirements.
Promote a strong culture of safety, accountability, integrity and collaboration.
Work closely with the HSE function on training, occupational medicine and site safety culture.
Take accountability for the people and discipline side of safety. The role does not replace the HSE officer.
Manage HR operations, including payroll oversight, HR systems, Revisal, reporting and workforce analytics.
Deliver management reporting on headcount, cost, turnover and project coverage.
Support restructuring, integration and change-management programmes.
Build, mentor and develop a capable, business-oriented HR team.
Requirements
Experience:
Significant HR leadership experience, ideally gained within construction, infrastructure, engineering, industrial services, manufacturing or another project-based environment.
Minimum 8 years in HR, of which at least 3 leading the function.
Proven experience managing HR for a sizeable and diverse workforce, including operational or site-based employees.
Technical knowledge:
Strong knowledge of Romanian employment legislation and local HR practices.
Collective labour agreements, temporary work and posting of workers, payroll with variable components, and personnel budgeting.
Experience with non-EU workers is a genuine advantage.
Competencies:
Demonstrated success in organisational transformation, talent management and workforce optimisation.
Commercial mindset and the ability to balance strategic priorities with hands-on execution.
Strong stakeholder-management, negotiation and communication skills, including the ability to hold a position in front of project directors.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and operationally complex organisation.
Focus on measurable outcomes: roles filled on time, turnover under control, labour cost within budget.
Education:
University degree in Human Resources, Business, Law, Psychology or a related discipline.
HR inspector certification or formal HR management training is a plus.
Languages:
Fluency in Romanian.
Professional proficiency in English, required for reporting to shareholders or for projects with international partners.